The beginning of June found us in the car again, but this time for an ostensibly less joyous occasion. Clara's great-grandfather LaForge passed away May 25, after 90 rich years. He was a warm, brilliant gentleman who embraced new challenges and loved being with his family; he will be deeply missed. Clara was lucky to have met him two months earlier, and he jokingly announced "we'll have to get her up on the tractor!", a true honor in the economy of the ranch.
View through the garden gate toward the hog unit, (LaForge Ranch in Yokohl Valley, Exeter, CA)
As it turned out, the weekend was full of joy: celebration of the full life that Grandpa LaForge enjoyed; happy recollection of our favorite memories of times we shared with him; appreciation and reuniting of our large, diverse family; and welcoming of new life into the family, through Clara.
Clara meets her very proud Grandpa.
View through the garden gate toward the hog unit, (LaForge Ranch in Yokohl Valley, Exeter, CA)
Clara meets her very proud Grandpa.
Hanging out with Clara is always a welcome interruption for Auntie Coco, even in her towel.
Most of the 22 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and spouses.
Clara meets her great-Gramps Balfour.
The family under the old Weeping Willow tree: Tio Rafa, Tia Lauren, Auntie Coco, Grandpa Jon, and the usual suspects.
Clara is used to a lot of attention by now.
Quality time with Grandpa Jon at the Ranch. As long as she had her pacifier, Clara would have posed all day.
Lots of generations together: Nona, Grandpa Jon, Grammy and Great-Gramps.
Grammy and the gang.
Clara meets her second cousin Brianna, the other great-granddaughter of Grandpa LaForge.
Dusk is a magical time at the Ranch. Here we share the evening glow with Grandpa's roses.
1 comment:
Heather- I love Clara's little red shoes. They are so stinking cute!
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