Bondy cousins July 2009

This is the place we stopped for a bite to eat on the way home from visiting with Lee's cousins. This was the second time we've been here with Tom and Becky and it is absolutely the best fish and chips I've ever had in the states. Jim and Jane this place is a must for you when you visit Long Beach, WA. Becky, Tom Linda, Lee and Cheryl


Tom, Linda, Lee, and Cheryl

Below is a picture of Linda's son-in-law and his daughter Ashley.

Linda and Cheryl and their families were all camping at Cape Disappointment State Park for the week and as you can see the kids were all having a great time.l

This is Cheryl's son, Shag's, dog. A real sweetheart named Zawwa.

This is Cheryl's son Shag a very gifted artist.

Lee's cousin Cheryl

This is Curt making Margarita's at Tom and Becky's house. He's not into camping so he was staying with Tom and Becky. Curt is Linda's husband.

Linda's daughter, Pam, and her husband Roe.

Becky and Linda

Tom and Linda

Sophie's Celebration of life picnic July 2009

This is Lee's Aunt Sophie. She died July 3,2009.

She wrote some of the most beautiful poetry I've ever read. This was not actually a funeral but a celebration of her life. It was held at the foster home where Sophie resided. Lee met up with cousins he has not seen in a long time and we all had a lovely picnic together and were able to spend time catching up with one another.
Above is Peter and his wife Anna

Lee and his cousins

Week-end with the Andersen children

We are enjoying a lovely weekend with Tom and Becky's children. Isn't that front porch just the ideal place for visiting?

You can see where we are parked right here next to the garage. It's a perfect spot.

As it turns out it was sand castle building weekend at the beach so we went down with all the kids and checked things out.

I believe this was the one that won the contest.

Tom and Becky playing with the grand kids

Tom and Becky and the grandchildren
We're missing Holly




This is Izabella, she is Jake and Christine's daughter. What a cute girl and energy like the ever ready battery.

Here we have Jacob who became Nicky's good buddy. Nicky just liked to hang with Jacob and Jacob was doing a great job of playing ball with him. Jacob is Jake and Christine's son.

Here's Jake and Christine--two really great young adults. As you can see, Christine has Jake well trained. These two are the parents of Jacob, Izabella and Holly. Holly was gone this week end so we did not get to see her this trip. Christine is Tom and Becky's daughter.

This is Avery. Such energy defies definition. She is on the go constantly and I believe her parents must sigh a sigh of relief when she finally goes to sleep. Just too cute for words.

This is Ella. What a princess!! She was very afraid of Nicky when she first arrived and by the time we left she had conquered her fear and became Nicky's buddy. Good for you Ella!!

Above are Mike and Megan the parents of Ella and Avery. Mike is Tom and Becky's son.

Izabella and Avery are just the best of friends and it was just so much fun watching them play together.

Tom and Becky's/ Riley reunion 7/7-7/20/09

After spending a lovely night in Seaside,OR we were off to visit Tom and Becky Andersen (Lee's sister and husband).

The Astoria bridge is a beautiful sight isn't it?

We are now on Long Beach peninsula headed to the town of Ocean Park.

We have arrived at Tom and Becky's. Their home is beautiful and the landscaping is breath-taking. They have a lovely front porch to just sit and watch the day go by, have good conversation, or read.

Each area of the country we've gone through seems to have it's resident wild flower. For this area it is the fire weed.

This is us coming down Tom and Becky's lane. We were able to park right next to their garage.

The above collage gives you an idea of how beautiful their home is. There is also a video at the end of this post to give you a better feel for how gorgeous their yard is.

We had a lovely day visit with Tom's brother Dick and his wife Jan and their sweet granddaughter.

Lee and his sisters, Doris and Becky, divided up a box of family photos.

The collage above marks the beginning of the cousins reunion on the Riley side of the family. From this point on it was non stop talking, eating and laughing. I am so lucky to have been born into a wonderful family and also to marry into one. This is the first time I've met any of these cousins and within a Short time I felt like I'd known them for years. What a wonderful time we all had.

Above is a picture of the boys: from left to right--Lee's cousin Bob, his brother-in-law Del, his cousin Rex, and brother-in-law Tom.

Major male bonding was happening around the grill!

Chief grill master,Tom, and his assistant, Rex.

When we couldn't find the men it didn't take much to figure out they must be back in the garage again, guarding the PBR.

The Girls
From left to right: Eriz, Judy, Doris, Becky, Luanne, Janice.

Doris and Janice hard at it.

Here's a picture of three sisters--oooooopps that's Lee in Becky's wig trying to see what the girls are up to. Isn't he a cutie??

While the boys are out in the garage guarding the beer the dinner preparations are being made inside by the girls.

Wendy Riley made a beautiful apron for Becky--she was thrilled!! I look forward to meeting Bob's wife, Wendy, when we get to Canada.

How much more alike can two cousins be???
Luanne and Doris

The girls asked me if I wanted a drink and I said the only drinks I really like are the kind where they had a pineapple wedge and an umbrella in them. Big mistake!!!!!!!!!!
Doris and Becky to the rescue!!

Let's talk about the food!!! Rex is enjoying fried razor clams---boy were they good!!!

The boys are getting the beer butt chickens ready to grill.

Tom's grilled oysters are to die for!!! Fixed with pesto sauce and Parmesan cheese.

Grilled salmon to make your mouth water.

One of the greatest treats for breakfast was zip lock omelets. They are great!! Becky found this recipe on the Internet and it's one I'm sure will be a hit with my family. You put the eggs in the bag and gently mix them up then you add the extras you'd like in your omelet- zip it shut and put it in a kettle of boiling water for 13 minutes.

Our last evening together we celebrated Janice's birthday--she just turned 57 and yet the day before she was carded at the grocery store when she bought beer. How jealous were the rest of us!!!! We can't remember when that last happened to us. Of course, she is the baby of the group and we never let her forget it.

We also celebrated Doris and Delbert's anniversary---Their 56th congratulation!!!!
In this day and age that is something to be very proud of!!!

Cousin Bob from Canada

Cousin Janice from Canada

Janice and Bob are brother and sister, the children of Lee's Uncle Pat.

Eriz is from S0noma,CA

When I'm in my 80's I want to be just like her!!!
Eriz is Lee's Uncle Ralph's child

This dashing young man is Luanne's husband Rex.

Luanne is from Napa, CA
She raised four boys and is still around to tell about it!!

Luanne is Lee's Uncle Ralph's child

Aren't they a handsome couple??

This is Lee's elder sister, Doris, a real sweetheart!!

This is her wonderful husband of 56 years, Delbert

When Doris and Del were dating this little kid in the back was always getting in the way and she still is!!!!

What a group!!!
From left to right: upper row: Rex, Tom, Lee, Del, Bob
Lower row: Luanne, Janice, Becky, Judy, Eriz, Doris

Thanks so much from all of us to Tom and Becky for hosting a wonderful reunion!!!

Thought for the day from all of us