Graham's cousins Paul, Avivah and Jonah came from Boston, and cousins Karen and Will came from Bethesda, to help us celebrate Rosh HaShanah (the Jewish New Year).
( In back, Avivah, Paul, Graham, Gary. In front: Karen, Will)
A good time was had by all at an outing to our neighborhood park. Little Jonah had a particularly fun time, eventually shedding all of his clothes and running around naked.
Jonah and Will
Gary, Ellen and Zack also joined us for the festive holiday dinner.(from left to right: Avivah, Karen, Gary, Graham, Ellen, Paul, Will, Zack)
Will and I made sweet round challahs for the holiday meal, and to also give one to our friend Ella, but I forgot that the dough has to rise 3 times, not 2. So they didn't end up going into the oven until after dinner, around 10pm. Better late than never! Good thing the holiday is two days long. :-)
The night before, friends from Genentech, Yaron and Einat, came by to wish us a happy new year. With their two-year-old twins Ophir and Omer and four-year-old Amir, along with Paul and Avivah's 3-year old Jonah, we had a house full of joyful energetic little boys!
Jonah and Amir enjoy the lawn tractor
In Missouri, the tractor was very handy for mowing our lawn. It was a weekly enjoyable two-hour activity. Here in California, it takes longer to start the tractor than it does to mow our Micki-sized lawn.
Will studies with Avivah for his upcoming Bar Mitzvah. 
Will is the family Boggle champ. Will introduces Zack to the game.
Buoyed by his visiting family, Graham finds the strength to wake up early to go to high holiday services. Here he is looking handsome in his suit.
We went for a walk at Rancho Antonio with Paul, Avivah and Jonah. We saw deer!
Visits from family and friends...what a lovely way to usher in the new year!
2 comments:
Dear Graham:
This is Pei. I used to work in the Stability department until Dec. last year. I got the blog from my friend in Genentech.
My mother had cancer too. I was with her during the whole treatment. It was a courageous journey. As I see it, life is beautiful. As far as we can still breathe, we should enjoy the fullness of what life can offer us. I wish you well. I will keep you in my prayer.
Pei
Pei,
So sorry to hear that your mom died from this terrible disease. How lucky she was to have you there beside her.
Like your mom, even on not such great days, Graham always does manage to find enjoyment in some aspect of the day.
Thanks for your good wishes.
Lee
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