# 6. Joy in Family!

What a Joy, glow and sense of warmth it is to have a family gathering and experience all these good vibes and emotions!

What a Joy to meet the newest family members who represent two of the known eighth generations of our family: two great-nieces. Joining them was another eighth generation member — our great-nephew, a fine young gentleman. He really seemed to enjoy the session where we reviewed our Family Tree.

Being in a setting where you’re lodged together in a canyon in the Northern California mountains; offered a great opportunity to reconnect with known family members and to get to know less familiar family members better. What a time we had!

We started our day trips with a lovely drive through the hills and mountains of Northern California with interesting tourist tidbits being provided by our genuinely nice nephew, serving as our van driver. We stopped for leisurely outings at two vineyards. At McGrail Vineyards our great-nephew and one of his uncles engaged in a spirited Bocce Ball match that proved to be the highlight of that stop. (I think the great-nephew won!) Then on to visit the reknowned Wente Vineyards where we traveled along a beautiful mountainside golf course en route to their tasting room and restaurant. This stop was memorable because of the feisty server who peppered us with wine country history questions as we ate and drank. We learned quite a bit.

“Family in the City Day” started with a walk among the shops at Fisherman’s Wharf, and a windy ride across the San Francisco Bay on the San Francisco Ferry to the city of Sausalito. There we were in the midst of sweet water taffy shops, ice cream shops, and good food. Then on to the city of Half Moon Bay (HMB). Our stops there included sun and sand fun along a  beach on the Pacific Ocean shoreline, sitting and chatting outdoors at a great specialty gelato shop along the city’s Main Street and closing our day @ HMB with a pear margarita at the Ritz Carlton golf-side cafe. En route back to the house we spotted an autonomous vehicle on the streets of San Francisco. We enjoyed this family time full of new places and experiences, good conversation, lots of teasing and laughter; all while we bonded.

Although the day trips were great fun, there was just as much JOY in the time we spent together in our mountainside abode. I certainly can’t forget the many ping pong game battles as one of our youngest family members learned to play the game. Additionally, there were the corn hole games where one of our oldest family members demonstrated her prowess. Of course, we had men “bonding while grilling,” hot tub experiences in the chilly mountain air, questionable karaoke singing and “Boots on The Ground” line dancing, with the with the two and a half year old great-niece leading the way! All of this was complemented by visits from our peacock friend, Parker. He appeared multiple times daily, but only once spread his beautiful feathers for us to admire.

Let me not forget the Father’s Day Brunch & Bellinis done with flair with a lovely table layout. A beautiful brunch to honor our men! What a good job ladies!!

With all of the fun events and experiences, the beauty of the fellowship among our family was the greatest Joy of all!