Oh, Christmas Tree

We went up to Mission to get our tree with Tempels this year. 

The sun was shining on the new fallen snow and it was a beautiful scene.

 Most of the kids were happy...

 and one was decidedly not. Thankfully, she got over it and was happy for the majority of the trek.

 Our quest involved finding not 2, but 5 trees as we had parents and friends making requests. Yowza!

 For one nameless lad, it also involved a test of flesh on metal...No, son, it's not just something from the cartoons. Yes, there was a lot of blood. King would say "gouts". It was a harsh lesson.

 Nevertheless we persisted!

 Clark cut our trees

and we hauled them back down the mountain. Yes, I pulled 2. Four adults, four children and 5 full-grown trees. It was a memorable expedition!

Apple Cup

Year 7 in a row was on the line...

 and we were ready to walk the talk!

 Got my students pumped in purple

 and did battle with the many resident Cougs at Parkway.

 The game was a nail biter for the first quarter, 

but Coach Pete carried the day again! Woof. 

If only he didn't retire immediately after and sour our apples...

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was in Ephrata this year and, while it was at our house, the true staging area was in Mom's kitchen!

 The grandmas got busy in the kitchen to help make it happen!

Of course, we had a puzzle to keep ourselves busy.

 An obligatory table shot... We had Ryan, BettyAnn, Phyllis, Sam, Grama A, Grama P, RKAllstots, RJAllstots, and Dave. It was a fun group.

 Lots of good times with Russ and Jules (and Lumen!).

  The stink eye because he's playing whilst his mother does his ironing...

Another year to be thankful for time with family!

AAU Basketball

 Mitchell participated in AAU for the first time this fall. We were hesitant because AAU can be a voracious time-sucking monster that absorbs all weekends and requires travel and expense. However, we were pleasantly surprised to enjoy this short season and appreciated the experience.

Mitch's team was made of seven 4th grade boys coached by Rod Fronsman and Brandon Burns. They made great progress over the 4 Saturdays, coming away with a 4-4 record. More importantly, Mitch seemed to love it! He improved his defense...

 and got better at rebounding. He was one of the taller kids on the team so he had lots of chances.

His dribbling and ball handling is getting better and he did a nice job of working with his teammates. He is the king of the bounce pass!

 On offense, he was frequently at the top of the key ready to get a pass.

 And it was always fun to watch him take a shot. His lay-ins improved and his shot is getting stronger. 

  The coaches were so good with these boys and we're grateful for people who volunteer their time and talent.

Of course the family came out to support him! Mitch had grandparents at every game. And Great Grama Sally got to watch him play twice! Kim, Chad and Jack even watched a game.

Shannon shared her birthday celebration with some gym time.

Our ball playing boy can't doubt he's supported!

Grampa's Service

Grampa didn't want a formal funeral service. He was never one for organized religion as an adult. Before he was plagued with dementia, he made his wishes known. And Grama, as ever, carried them out.

We had a family gathering at the condo clubhouse on Saturday afternoon, which would have been very much to his liking. Family came from all over to visit, eat, drink, and share Grampa stories. Condo friends also came by. There were at least 45 people in attendance for Grampa's private, non-service. Mom had photos of Grampa's life spread throughout the building and they were wonderful story prompts.

There was lots of food, cookies, Grama Sally mints, and vino. No one could be hungry.

Grama was tired yet pleased to be surrounded by those who love them both. Many people shared stories with her, gave hugs, and listened to her remembrances.

Dad did a short talk welcoming people and setting the scene for Mom and Phyllis to share briefly.

Mom has been so strong throughout and yet I know she's brokenhearted. She spoke beautifully about her father as a teacher, and appreciator, and a partner for her mother. Phyllis read Psalm 121.

Dad reminded us that Grampa lived a life of faith even if he did not put it into words. He did very well and clearly Grama appreciated it.

The Allstot clan was out in full support. This made my heart full. I will never forget one time when Sue adamantly declared Mom to be a full member of the Allstot family - not an "outlaw". While that was meaningful then, this show of support meant more to me. They all drove over. They came. That speaks volumes.

Grama cannot doubt her support circle. Her children are tired and raw and sad, but their love for their mother and dad is a powerful motivator. As she adjusts to her new reality, their constant presence will continue to be vital.

The kids did a nice job of visiting and then spent much of the time playing pool or fusbal upstairs. 

Grama and Patty are the family matriarchs, holding court in their captains chairs. I love that they have each other, as well as the delightful extended family in the Valley.

These two were incahoots for much of the afternoon - sneaking food and lightening the mood.

So the formal farewells have been said and the next chapter begins. Grampa Allstot passed almost 20 years ago and I still feel the void of his absence. Now there's another hole, which cannot be filled. The edges will soften and time will dull the ache. After it all, we were fortunate to have Grampa for so long and our memories will live on.

Kenneth Gail Pobst, 22 September 1929 - 08 November 2019

Grampa Pobst

My Grampa Pobst was a wonderful man.

As a kid, Russ and I were fortunate to enjoy visits to the Ranch, rides in the brownie, playing on the orchard and in the gully, learning to sweep the warehouse properly, tending bees, trips to the fruit cocktail tree, games of Yahtzee, The Odd Couple and WKRP, rumors of the gilhooly machine, trips to the San Juans on the sailboat, and constant love.

Grampa helped teach us to ski - and he was impressive to watch. I still hear his voice in my head as I'm making turns on the hill: "Down, up, down"! He came to many of our events: games, parties, performances of many kinds. Our friends grew up knowing our grandparents because they were always there.

 In college, Grama and Grampa came to visit and more friends got to know them. They explored the world together and shared stories, pictures, and a love of travel. I started to realize how lucky I was to have grandparents like mine (all of them!) and how many of my friends didn't get to experience the same closeness. I was always Grampa's "8K Allstotski".

 Even when I went far from home, they came to see me. We climbed Stone Mountain together - just one of many adventures.

And Grampa always had his adventuring partner, for that's what Grama was - his partner. In everything. Sailing, orcharding, traveling...they were equals. I remember that Grampa wore the "First Mate" sweatshirt on the boat and Grama's read "Captain" because they thought turning expected gender norms upside down was funny. And I grew up thinking it was normal. 

They were both so happy at our wedding. Bryan was much loved by my Grampa. 

 They came to watch him coach in Stanfield, just like they had traveled to see him play. He was one of theirs. For those who got to be one of theirs, it was a joy. They were fiercely loyal and maintained friendships that lasted from their childhoods.

When Mitch came along, Grampa became Great Papa. And he was great. He doted on Mitch for 10 years, reading and talking and playing with him.

Shannon fascinated him, too, and he loved her. He was playful with them, and very interested in their safety and well-being. I'm so glad our kids got to know him.

When Grampa turned 90, we gathered to celebrate. He and Grama were married more than 69 years. They raised 3 wonderful children together. They enjoyed retirement for 24 years, traveling together and sharing adventures. When Alzheimer's began, they fended it off together, giving all of us more time.

And then time ran out. 

My Grampa passed on the afternoon of Friday, November 8th. We got to say good-bye, tell him how loved he was, and see others come and do the same. It was painful and beautiful. A testament to a life well-lived. And through it all, my Grama's love for her best friend shown through.

Now Grampa has sailed on and we are left with memories, and heartache, and the good fortune to have been one of his.

And, just at the moment when someone says, "There, he is gone," 

there are other eyes watching him coming, and other voices 

ready to take up the glad shout, "Here he comes!"

- Henry Van Dyke, "Gone From My Sight" excerpt