Northwest Newsletter: November 2014

"Life goes on", "Life's a challenge" are just a couple of the many quotes I remember my wise father saying. My wonderful dad passed away on July 22nd suddenly. He was in the hospital for a routine heart bypass. Lorelei and I were with him.
He was a big fan of this blog. He always emailed back with a comment or two and looked forward to the postings. It's been tough for me to sit back down and put words on the screen. My dad always said how he liked the good news. I guess that's why it's been so hard to begin this post.
I hope one day soon to be able to sit down and put together a proper history of my dad's life.

We celebrated my dad's life and got together with family and friends that we had not seen in many years. So sad that the only times we get together are when one of us passes.

The siblings, Kelli, myself, Bryan, Robyn

My brother and my dad's sister, Jeanette. She is the Matriarch of the family now being the oldest living descendant of the Pennington Family. I guess that makes me the Patriarch?

Lorelei, trying to muster a smile, sitting in my dad's office chair.

Franci, trying to make heads or tails of my dad's organized (to him) pile.

Ron, foreman of Penco and life long friend and I try and figure out some incredible and complex problem.

All of our kids flew down to CA for the memorial. It was such a comfort having them all there. Their grandpa played a huge role in shaping their lives.

Adam and Pam.

We stopped to see Lorelei's good friend Kelly.

My wonderful cousin Mary Jo and her husband Kevin

Pizza party

Aunt Cheryl and my cousin

Cheryl, Bryan, Mary Jo

My dad almost always wore a hat. The boys each got one of grandpa's hats and proudly wore them at the ceremony.

Shown below, my sister Robyn, center and her husband Larry, left. Having pizza at the family get together remembering my dad. Less than a week after this picture was taken my brother in law, Larry suffered a major stroke and passed away.

I'm at a loss for words of how to transition into telling of happier times that have followed in the months since these tragedies struck our family. Life goes on......

In August we headed for the San Juan Islands. A trip we had planned long before the events of July.

Loaded up!

On the ferry

L to R, Cody, Jon, Corina, Lorelei, Adam and Pam

We had a fun trip. Lots of food, fishing, games and laughter. Just what we needed. Treasuring every minute and loving that our family really enjoys being together.

The house we rented is right on the water. What an awesome front yard for some ladder ball!

We caught a few fish and crab!

There was LOTS of food!

Pam making bora (spelling?)

Corina's crab stuffed mushrooms

Adam's famous cheesecake

Adam's famous pizza

Lots of fun music and relaxing. We were on the water almost every day. We had our big boat plus the canoe. The scenery as always, was magnificent.

L to R, Adam, Pam, Glynn, Lorelei, Cody, Corina and Jon

Moving on to September in my struggle to get caught up. There was some fishing and working around the place.

Cody built a bench and started his junior year of high school.

The boys and I built some new back steps.

Lorelei made two separate trips down to CA to be with my sister and to help out with stuff.

She met up with her sister Penny

Lorelei and her friend Kelly at Chick-fil-A

My nephew Matthew got married which was one of the trips Lorelei made. Just her being there was some comfort to my sister, who lost so much in such a short period of time.

Matthew and his bride.