Robb sent me these photos yesterday. It’s amazing how Alo looks so calm.
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Above – Alo playing in snow in Lebec on the way back to Walnut Creek. I got a text from Akuch they made it home safely around 10pm.
Below – Cousins Sparty, Maya & Alo “so happy together” on Christmas Day. They were playing and I said “Hey, how about coming over and sitting on the stairs so I can get a picture of you together.” They stopped what they were doing (very important stuff) and did exactly what I asked. Impressive! 
Yesterday morning Ron texted this photo to us and wrote “Silas woke up early this morning and got into Jens purse.” I think Elmo made him do it …
Meanwhile, back at the house Kando waited patiently while his mom and dad packed up to go home.
Brothers – I will miss them (and their parents too). Kando is a really good baby although he still wakes up every couple hours to eat and only breast feeds so Akuch stays pretty busy with him. Alo is bigger every time we see him, and so smart. He’s always talking, singing and getting into everything – very inquisitive.

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Above – Unfolding of the flag.
Below – Taps. Thanks to the Marines Honor Guard and Bugles Across America. It was a beautiful service. Jen discretely captures these photos. It was a beautiful service and tribute to a good man.
Afterwards – At Pizza Nova. There was a group of about 30 people. Here’re some of them.
Daughters-in-law Jen & Akuch with Sparty and Kando. 
Then last night dinner at our house. Soup, salad, Oso Bucco & rissoto. That was Robb’s food. I had soup & salad!
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Above – A quick group photo.
Robb and Akuch drove down last Sunday with the boys to see Bill one last time. Bill would have been happy to see we all got together and enjoyed ourselves on his behalf – especially the kids.
Maya and Alo were excited to see each other and we got a brief preview of how much fun they’ll have next week when they get together again.


Ron set my phone up for a selfie with the little car and Alo (he’s kinda crazy – what can I say?). Of course I couldn’t pass up a chance to photo bomb.
We had ribs. Or at least they had ribs. After looking back through my photos to create our annual family calendar I realized I take a lot of pictures of the Sparts eating. I guess that’s because I’ve never quite seen anyone enjoy food so much!

A smaller portion of the group.
Another beautiful December sunset …
Today Rachel’s dropping Maya and Sparty off at 8am for a few hours. We’re bracing ourselves …
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Above – Group photo on Angel Island with Belvedere and Tiburon across the bay.
Below – on the ferry ride from Tiburon to Angel Island.
From the dock looking across to Tiburon.

Panorama from a lookout to the northwest looking at Sausalito to the south and Tiburon to the north.
From another lookout, in this panorama you can see Oakland to the far left, Treasure Island, Bay Bridge, San Francisco with Alcatraz in the forefront, Golden Gate Bridge and Sausalito. With the sun above in the center of the photo, it casts a beautiful light behind the tree. The day was beautifully clear, crisp and cold.

Robb and Alo from the same lookout.
One more closeup of the Bay Bridge, the city and Alcatraz.

At the dock – waiting for the ferry to come pick us up.

Back at the house we decorated the tree and took some photos.

Yesterday morning in “our living room” aka the hotel lobby. We had the place all to ourselves as we waited to leave for the airport.

Robb and Akuch followed us to the car rental return where Alo joined us for a ride on the shuttle to the airport. He looks very serious, but he took some time out to sing the Wheels on the Bus song. 
Back at the fort we were welcomed by another beautiful November sunset.
We will miss our Northern California family, but look forward to seeing them here at Christmas time. I can’t wait!
Blogged on Amma’s iPhone/MacBook with LOVE and thanks for being blessed with a beautiful family!
Above – Robb worked practically all day in the kitchen preparing our meal.
Below, Kando sports his “My First Thanksgiving” bib. 
Twins Shvonne (I know this is spelled wrong, but that’s how it sounds) and Isabelle with mom, Elisabeth …
Papa with twin Shvonne who held a death grip on Alo’s toy phone the entire night. Notice in every photo in this post – she’s got the phone!
What would Thanksgiving be without a group photo? L-R Robb, Pappa, Alo, Akuch, Kando, Great Grandma, Shvonne, Elizabeth, Sandra with Lilli and Mike. Bottom row R-L Me, Andy and Isabelle. There are four nations represented in this group – US, Sudan, Mexico (Mexico City) & Austria.

Attempting to capture a photo with the grandkids if I can get Alo to sit still for 5 seconds.
Happiness is group book reading …

… and checking out Kando (note the phone in Shvonne’s hand).
We had a great day!
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I hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving!
Below – photos shared from Grandma JoJo, Maya and Sparty’s Ohio Grandma
Sparty’s deciding what he wants Santa to bring while Maya enjoys her chocolate milk and Passi.
Maya has craft time with her cousins.

Meanwhile, back in Walnut Creek
We had a lot of fun yesterday watching all three football games, going to the park, enjoying the grandkids, Robb & Akuch and a houseful of their friends which included a total of nine adults, four two year olds and sweet baby Kando, AND a fantastic Thanksgiving spread. Robb spent all day in the kitchen cooking! I took lots of photos, so for today I am only sharing the first half of the day.
Selfie while watching football.

At Larkey Park before the big meal.
Somehow the trees got the hint that winter’s coming …

Back at the house, Kando has some tummy time.
This is what happens when you drink your yogurt.

Here’s a selfie video, a test to see how long I could make my arm. A very active Kando…
Now that Thanksgiving’s over, here’s a little preview of the up and coming season, one of my favorites!
http://youtu.be/b_ReMi7tVWA
Today we’re taking a ferry to Angel Island. According to Wikipedia …
“Angel Island is an island in San Francisco Bay offering expansive 360° views of the San Francisco skyline, the Marin County Headlands and Mount Tamalpais. The entire island is included within Angel Island State Park and is administered by California State Parks. The island, a California Historical Landmark,[1] has been used for a variety of purposes, including military forts, a US Public Health Service Quarantine Station, and a US Bureau of Immigration inspection and detention facility. The Angel Island Immigration Station on the northeast corner of the island, where officials detained, inspected, and examined approximately one million immigrants, has been designated a National Historic Landmark.”
It should be a fun day!
Blogged on Amma’s iPhone/MacBook with LOVE!
Happy Thanksgiving everybody (assuming anyone ever reads my blog)… 🙂
Love at first sight …
Airport reunion selfies with the boys.
Later at the house Alo has a snack wearing his antlers.

While Kando enjoys a little down time.

At lunch, Alo keeps busy coloring.

Back at the house Alo and Great Grandma read the pop-up dinosaur book.
This morning when I showed this photo to Alo, he said “Alo’s pooping reading the train book.”
We’re now kicking back watching the Eagles v. Lions game and planning on making it a day of staying warm, food, staying warm, football, staying warm, and enjoying the kids. Top priority is staying warm!
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