MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR BLAIN ANDRUS

Mark Andrus' older brother passed away a few months ago.
He wanted his ashes placed in the ocean.
The family selected Sept. 24, 2011 as the day they could all
travel to California for this purpose.  It was our first burial at sea
and was a very tender occasion.

Maxine, his wife made arrangement for the large catamaran
to take us out to sea.  There was 19 of us who attended.

We sailed out to sea where we had a short service and watched a

video of events in his life.  Then his ashes were placed in a special

wreath and placed in the ocean.  Maxine got all the special permits

that allow for this type of burial.

Maxine seeing the ashes sink to the ocean floor.

One of the reasons the memorial was held now is Blain's oldest daughter
was awaiting the birth of these babies when Blain passed.

After the ceremony at sea, we drove to the cemetery where Mark
had made arrangements for a memorial marker to be placed by
his grandparents, parents and younger brother's gravesites.

At the top is his grandparent's graves.
In the middle is his parent's graves.
The new marker is for Blain and Mark's younger brother Kenny.

Mark, Richard (Blain's son), his wife Michelle, son-in-law Ben
(daughter) Carly, Maxine holding baby Madeline and (daughter) Alisha holding baby Max.

WHALE WATCHING

Erik & Kristin bought some whale watching tickets and invited us to join them.

Dad & I listened to "Velda" our GPS and ended up on Balboa

Island, so we took a 3 car ferry back to the "mainland".  Fun!

Waiting to board the whale watching boat.

Nice looking couple!

Way to go Ryan (who is almost as tall now as Grandma)!

It was a beautiful day.

Dad and Erik having a visit.

Travis.  Look Ma!  No glasses.

We saw these California Sea Lions hoging the bouy.

Just a sunnin' themselves on the bouy.

Nathan, with his autographed by his friends, hat.

They had a nice snack bar on the boat.

Taking a break for searching for the whales.

Alas.  They had more success a few days ago.  We did see the

California Sea Lions, and some dolphins, but no whales!

Back on shore and looking for a restaurant for lunch.

Found a great one that served wonderful fish for those that chose it.

I had Red Snapper, Erik had Blackened Mahi-Mahi, Kristin had Salmon

and Dad had (can't remember the long Hawaiian name but he said

it was sure good!

REDECORATING AT THE KCADSNSjp'S HOME

A lot of redecorating has been going on at Ken & Coppelia's home. They emptied out their bedroom, took out the carpeting and had a new floor installed. It's beautiful. Then it was repainted and crown molding installed.

They also put new carpeting in Sophie's room and down the stairs along with repainting.

As mentioned before, they redid the front room as well.

Things have been a bit chaotic the last several weeks, but it's pretty much back to normal now. NICE JOB, folks.

 

NEWLY REDECORATED FAMILY ROOM FOR THE SANDERS

With TWO weddings approaching, the Sanders decided to have their family room repainted and add a few new touches. Very nice. Looking forward to the open houses.

 

 

SOPHIE'S FIRST SOLO BIKE RIDE

My first video (from Ken) and help from Dennis jr. posting it  - -( thanks so much).  Click the button and be sure your sound is on.  You don't want to miss Ken's encouragement!!!!!

A FEW LAST PICTURES FROM IOWA.

Here's a few more pictures of Iowa that I didn't have time to post before.  The next day after I left, the weather got down to the 60s and 29 degrees at night.  I guess I know how to time my visits!

AND MORE PAINTING

That's one BIG storm window.  It's 16 panes and each about  20" x 16".

One heavy sucker!

This is the window it will go on.  Look closely. That's me in the background.

Taking a rest.

Mr. and Mrs. Iowa.

Toby had a bath today.  Doesn't he look pretty?

MORE PROJECTS

More painting of storm windows.

Scott working on some pantry doors.

Julie woring on the three-seasons room floor using a heat gun and a scraper.

A pile of paint scrapings.  (Note the storm windows in the background.

They are everywhere!

In the evenings sometimes we sit out by their burn pit and enjoy the fire.

NEWS FROM THE KCADSNS&jp'S

Ken sent this picture of a shawl that Pat (Coppelia's mother) brought her from
Mexico.  It is a Rebozo shawl, a nearly lost art that one woman is revitalizing.
To look at it from this picture does not do it justice since there are very
intricate patterns woven into each band.  Beautiful.

And on another note, here is a picture of Aria's college softball

team.  Aria is sitting sideways on the front of the car

with her head turned toward the camera.

WINTERSET, IOWA

Today we took a 2.5 hour road trip to winterset, Iowa.

This is their county court house with a $1M renovation being done.

Winterset is a quaint town with a public square in the center.

The streets had gorgeous hanging baskets of flowers.

Winterset is the home of Fons & Porter, 2 ladies well known in the quilting world.

A Mexican food restaurant was recommended and it was absolutly wonderful.

Winterset is also famous because John Wayne was born here!

We visited the home where he was born, and then had some pictures taken.

Big John doesn't have anything on Scott.

We were told about this "Tower" where you could see for miles, so

we took a short drive through some woods and climbed it.

No Ruth, a different Ruth.

Scott and Julie say "Hi".

Madison County is famous for it's covered bridges.  Think of the movie,

"The Bridges of Madison County" with Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep.

It was filmed in Winterset.

Jane and Scott checking it out.