Preserving Memories

I haven't posted a blog since Fall 2012 - something I regret to no end.   Blogging is essentially my institutional memory, so I have some serious catching up to do.   In order to get back on my horse,  I aim to compress six years of leaving tracks into a series of posts - largely photo-intensive and strictly highlights only.   I've got to start somewhere.

The Arrival of Henry

Henry Joseph Brehm

Our first grandchild born to Sarah and Paul on Christmas - December 25, 2013.
Surprisingly, he did not come wrapped in swaddling newspapers.

Class and Glass

October 2012

The 34th Annual Pilchuck Glass School Auction was the perfect excuse for a girls' weekend getaway in Seattle - with Susan, Lauren, Susan, Liisa & Susan.  Yes - 3 Susans.

First Stop - Seattle Center for Lunch at the Collections Cafe

Followed by a visit to the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum

With time for shopping...

And time for primping at our Washington Athletic Club Suite...

Before rubbing shoulders with the man himself...Dale Chihuly.

Beth's Wedding in San Francisco

October 2012

The weekend started with a bridal shower for my niece

Beth at the Hotel Stratford on the Square

The theme..."Bed, Beth & Beyond" - and yes - it was a Brunch

Representatives from three family lines converged for the celebration...

Breckenfelder (Thilo), Rasmussen,  & Kelly-

Sneed

The wedding weekend became a rendezvous with family...

(Sue & Dave Breckenfelder, Sarah & Paul) 

a celebration of "Fleet Week"...

a catch up with Becky & Adam...

an opportunity to explore the City by the Bay...

a rare photo op with my siblings just before the wedding...

(John, David & Ann)

and digital footage of Nick and Louise - 

while waiting for Steve to walk Beth down the aisle.

My sister Jane would have been so proud.

Just one of several fabulous dinners - this one at "The Slanted Door."

Gamma Phi Beta Pledge Class Reunion

September 2012

 A memorable rendezvous in Michigan at Joy's fabulous vacation home 

 Recalling the past,  catching up on today, realizing we have as much in common now as we did at Iowa State

Learning we have wine in common, too.

A Real Blast at the Watsons!

AUGUST 2012

Rocky and Mary Watson know a thing or two about showing guests a blast - figuratively and literally.  Rocky's collection of artillery and weaponry often becomes the centerpiece of entertainment at their terrific parties.  The price of admission?  A bowling ball....the perfect ammunition for his vintage canons.

One never turns down an invitation to the Watsons where you are guaranteed a great gathering of people and a fabulous buffet that never seems to end.  Tom and I wisely brought our appetites and our earplugs.

Throughout the afternoon, Rocky fired up his canons and shot our hostess gifts up in the air and off into the distance.  What a fire-up!

Centuries from now, archaeologists will excavate and study the beautiful ravine behind the Watson home.  And they will wonder what the hell all those bowling balls are doing there.

ZZ Top!

August 2012

We were the lucky recipients of  ZZ Top tickets that our friends the Jacklins couldn't use, so off we went to Northern Quest Casino.  Rock and Roll Hall of Famer ZZ Top has been performing for over four decades, and the members sound (and arguably look) the same as they did when they formed in 1969.  

 

 

 

 

Pre-concert people-watching was entertaining...

 

Not sure which  song drove the crazy crowd crazier - "Tush" or "La Grange." Fabulous concert!

The Circle of Aura

August 2012

For years we have encouraged our extended family to come to North Idaho and vacation on Hayden Lake.  In fact, we bought the cabin next to our lake home largely to entice visitors.  This summer our nephew accepted the invitation and drove his family from Sacramento to vacation at the Little Lake Place.  Joe also happens to be our Godson, so we were thrilled to host him, his wife Siam and 2-year old daughter Austyn.  It suddenly became a week-long party when our niece Lauren flew in from Illinois!

On the Agenda...

Riding the Trail of the Hiawatha...

 

 

 

 

 Sharing meals on the deck...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 and fishing off the dock.  

But clearly, the most important event of the entire week was inducting Austyn into The Circle of Aura.  This is no small honor - as any respectable female Breckenfelder descendant will freely admit.  And after a few days of getting to know our great niece, Austyn was clearly Aura material!


Upon receiving her Fairy Name, Austyn's induction continued with a ceremonial trek through the Fairy Walk.  Sharp as a tack, she quickly discovered lots of hidden fairies and graced them with magical fairy dust.  

Austyn Enters The Circle of Aura!