Panepinto       Times

Disneyland

Mom, Gary, Jason, Cris and Jordan took a trip to Disneyland this summer and the Horn arranged for a tour of Disney’s best. Jordan also got to live in medieval times when swinging swords and jousting were popular, his favorites. They took in all the attractions, including Sea World in San Diego. And, they had fun visits with Ralph Scelfo and his family, and Dean and Trish and their family. Gary also gave everyone a tour of celebrity homes including Superman, Lucille Ball and Hef’s mansion.

Dianna and I couldn’t make it, because we were celebrating Jennifer and Matt’s wedding. The flower girl in our wedding got married this summer and Gogo, Koko Head, Aunt Diner and Uncle Paul flew to Texas. We went swimming in the pool and had races. Then, we got to meet several family members and friends at the rehearsal dinner.

The next morning, Koko Head and Uncle Paul went swimming again and played Tyrannosaurus Rex and the Moth.  Afterwards, Louie and I took his first Jacuzzi.

Then, we were honored to be sponsors in their wedding. The reception was exceptional, opening with a fantastic Elvis impersonator.  The mariachi band played crowd favorites. And, the main band had everyone dancing all night. We enjoyed seeing Uncle Lino and Aunt Maria, Lulu and Hector, Randy and Beatrice, Rudy and Linda and all the family, even if only briefly.  It was wonderful seeing Eddie and Daniel again and meeting Eddie’s family.

Next day, we had breakfast with Aunt Maria, Uncle Tranqulino and Cousin Debbie - and we laughed at the gringo who couldn’t figure out why you can’t have “one of each” when there are only two types of meat and three chalupas on a plate. After breakfast, we visited with the new bride and groom, Rudy and Linda, Eddie and his family, and Daniel, Dana, and Tomas and Zelma.

Big Mac and Skipper

Little Buck made the journey from CO to CA in October. We plan to supe-up the engine with fuel injection, a larger throttle body and custom modifications. Big Mac and Skipper knew the transmission was on its last leg; so they met me in SLC with a luxury Super Duty dually to trailer it the rest of the way.

Between SLC and Winnemucca, we hit 100 mph winds and light snow.  When we got to Sacramento, Gary took us to TGIF and we had a great lunch. Skipper followed me back to the Bay Area - and how lucky I am for that.  The tranny broke 30 minutes into the trip and Skipper towed me to safety. Imagine if they didn’t meet me in SLC... the breakdown would have happened in the middle of nowhere in 100 mph winds.

Those guys knew the drive to CA was risky and they made the trip to ensure that I would make it too! Then, Big Mac, Skipper and Gary helped me until late night getting Little Buck back to Big Mac’s house, where we got to do some heavy wrenching. I won’t forget how you helped me.

Thrasher and Paul drove up in luxury in the Land Rover to meet Big Mac and Gary. We removed the broken tranny and had a feast at Austin’s - thanks Gary! The following weekend, we wrestled the new transmission back into the Bronco and had a fine meal at Logan’s to celebrate.  Thank-you Lee and Cindy for your incredible patience with the project at your home. 

Our Mom

We are so lucky to be able to visit with mom often. Mom spoils us when we visit and she always makes us so many delicious meals.

Aunt El came to visit my mom in June and mom ensured that all of us had a wonderful time. We had terrific meals at Caesar’s in SF and at Austin’s in the casino. Mom took us to a SF favorite - Beach Blanket Babylon. Gary hit the Blazing 7’s for mom and Aunt El. On the way back, Gary took us to Crawdad’s for a fun afternoon on the Sacramento River.

The following weekend, Gary came down to the Bay Area and we had fun celebrating Father’s Day for Jason, and also Cris’ and my birthdays. Jordan was a real Zoro and Aunt Joyce and Matt came over to celebrate with us too. I had so much fun reading the Spiderman book with Jordan and playing the evil Doc Oc.

Mom, we hope that you had a wonderful 75th Birthday.  Dad was with us in spirit for your 52nd wedding anniversary.

We love you, mom!!!

Seasons Greetings

2007 Highlights

  • Dianna and I enjoyed a wonderful New Year’s Eve with the Merrill’s in Colorado. Koko Head joined us and we skied together for Louie’s first time skiing. We read stories and Louie ate a whole pot of mussels.

    • Koko Head gives us a look when we told him we would sell him on eBay

  • We threw a surprise 50th birthday party for Gary at the Quent Cordair art gallery in Burlingame and so many great friends attended.  Thank you for making his birthday such a memorable one. We enjoyed Gogo’s visit very much too!
  • Kob’s mom came to visit and we had a wonderful time at Chef Chu’s.
  • Martha and Jess made a special trip to take me to lunch at Stone House - Jess and I enjoyed scotch samplers. Then, we had a bbq with all the kids and afterwards had water balloon fights.  The chocolate fountain went out of control and threw chocholate everywhere. What a mess, but a lot of fun.
  • On the 4th of July, we had a bbq with Mom, Aunt Cathy, Uncle Richard, Gogo, Lacey and Koko Head. Then, Dianna and I watched the Loveland fireworks from our backyard. I don’t remember them being so clearly visible and so large from our house. The show was really something special this year – my favorite was one that contained sparkling red, white and blue stars that flashed for 1 minute straight. There were very clever designs like hearts for Loveland and spirals and even smiley faces.
  • Seeing Jack and Melinda, Russ and Geri, Liz, and Steve and Sue at Steelhead Brewery and being shocked that the big guy sitting next to me was their son Bryan!
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    Dianna has designed a fabulous kitchen that won’t fit in our house.  That’s no problem for her - she just had the house enlarged to accomodate it.

    Construction has started and it is going to be an outrageous party kitchen. Come and visit - share some wine and cook up some good food with us.

    YYYYYYYYYYYYYY

    Dianna and I snuck away to Lake Shore Lodge in Estes Park for her birthday and we had a magnificient birthday weekend.

    Paul joined a great group of folks at Green Plug, headed by his friend Frank Paniagua. Work is not only challenging, but it is thrilling and fun. Everyone connected with the company provides great value to us and is a pleasure to work with. Please visit us at www.greenplug.us.

    Green Plug is launching its first product at CES in Las Vegas and we’ve had great press coverage already.

    (Check out the Photo Gallery)
  • Dinner with Bryan and Anne before the  BHS 30th class reunion. Seeing Len and meeting his wife Cidalia and their children, spending time with Howard, Casey, Chuck and everyone else. Grading the contest results with Shane and Janelle - thanks! Seeing Brian M. and meeting Michelle.
  • A trip to San Diego to visit DJC - A bit of work and a lot of fun.
  • Mike and Reggie made a brief, but memorable visit. We enjoyed an awesome meal at Monaco’s and some great wine.  Come again SOON!!!
  • Louie and Dianna surprised me with a visit in California.  Jordan and Louie had so much fun together with the balloons and driving Jordan’s Ford Truck.  We got great photos of the kids playing together.
  • Trick-or-treating with Little, Raspy, Chica, Benny Bear and Koko Head was just perfect. Austin boy stopped by to show me his costume too.
  • JoJo threw a terrific 40th birthday party for Danny Boy. She provided an extraordinary tour of the charming city of Montreal and she and Dan extended such warm hospitality at their home too. The highlight of the trip was playing games with Matt and seeing how big he has grown.

    • Dianna and I flew to Kauai thanks to Rick and Laura where we had a wonderful time barbecuing fresh, local fish, drinking great wine, enjoying the beaches looking for big shovels with Jordan, playing golf with Dan and seeing all the sights with Jason and Cris. Jason took the H3 on the beach and we wheeled along the beach. Jordan loved swimming in the ocean with Uncle Paul. Rick and Laura showed us an incredible time on the garden isle and we are very grateful. Jason and I concluded the trip with an awesome helicopter ride on Air Kauai with Ernie the pilot.