Mini Reunion, Concord CA

The lovely Robin and I enjoyed a mini-family-reunion today with our Baker relations in Concord, California. Our cousins George and Jeanne Baker had journeyed to Concord (east of Oakland) to visit with our cousins Glen and Linda (Baker) Madsen and their mom, my Aunt Dorothy. So we had lunch together at the Sun Valley Mall (I think) and thoroughly enjoyed visiting and reminiscing and loving on 91-year-old Aunt Dorothy.

The visit was too short but oh so wonderful. We shared many wonderful memories and made a handful more. 

Hostetter Road, San Jose CA

Metro City Restaurant, Sunnyvale CA

Village Grill, San Jose CA

Main Street Burgers, Los Gatos CA

Apple Store, Los Gatos CA

Today the lovely Robin and I accompanied our son, daughter-in-law, and grandkids Miles and Mia to Los Gatos, California, where we visited a number of businesses in the town's tony shopping district.

Of course, one of those businesses was the Apple store, where Aaron and Nina had scheduled a genius bar appointment for Nina's fun. But I'm NOT saying that the reason for the visit was that she had dropped her new iPhone after just a few days of owning it. Because that would be unkind. And I'm not that kind of guy. 

SA Officers Councils at Big Bear Lake, CA

The lovely Robin and I were honored and excited to share in this past week's Salvation Army Officers Councils, held at Pine Summit Camp in Big Bear Lake, California, in the San Bernardino Mountains. What a beautiful setting for an incredible event.

I was asked to present most of my "Dancing with God" series (available here in ebook format), so I did. The group mostly stayed awake and attentive throughout, and it was a delight to participate in the many ways the careful planning supported the theme. 

It was such a delight to re-connect with my cousin, George Baker (above), with whom I shared many memories (and mischievities) growing up. He's still a pretty good guy, but spending time also with his wife Jeanne (below, with the lovely Robin) was even better. 

Keeping with the "dancing" theme, one of the evening activities was a session of line dancing lessons for which we were told to wear our best western garb. Since we flew to the event, I had to leave my boots and hat at home (seriously), so had only a borrowed shirt. But it had fringe. So there. 

The whole week was a great blessing, thanks to the Bakers and all of our new friends in the Sierra Del Mar Division.