A Farewell

A few weeks ago we got together with Toff's family to say a final farewell to his grandfather, Phillip Prideaux (aka, "Pop").  Pop passed away in 2008 rather suddenly due to a brain tumor.  I know that his family misses him terribly, and as for me - I am so grateful that I got a chance to meet him when Toff & I were just dating.  I only knew him for a short time, but so far as I can tell, he was a great man who, if all was fair in the world, would still be with us.  

Here's a photo.  Or 20.

Welcoming Trip to the boat!

Getting comfy for our hour and a half catamaran cruise.

Note to self:  While it may look like a whole bundle of fun to ride on the nets, you should probably be prepared to get wet.
 Because it's a net, and nets have holes.  And below that hole-y net is water.
...In retrospect that probably should have occurred to us sooner than it did...

Sailor baby!

I wish I could say that we thought ahead enough to bring a PFD along for our 1-and-some-change year old....alas it belongs to the boat people.
Thanks boat people!
With out you this Mom probably would have been a nervous wreck.

Trip with cousin, Indi.
I love the way she's looking at him!

(Technically she's Toff's cousin, so Trip's second cousin I think?)

Aunt Karen with daughters Coco & Indi

Stephi manning (womaning?) the ropes.

Out to sea!

Toff & Uncle Stu scanning the coast to find Pop's favorite spot.

Stu's farewell speech brought about the perfect mixture of laughter and tears.

Trip having a snack of strawberries (his favorite) with cousin Elly
(and he totally screamed when I tried to take him from her!)

Trip & Jammie at the port hole!

Nan brought Pop along with her - he's the one all the way on the left.
The photo says "Snapped Frozen" because Pop and his group of friends swam in the ocean every single day of the year!
And granted....we do live in Australia, but still, I wouldn't want to swim in winter!

Jammie, Trip & Carly - our Au Pair slash additional family member for the summer!

Taking the chance to try and capture a family photo since we looked so dapper and all.
We're all smiling...and mostly in focus... --- we'll call it a success!

What a beautiful evening, and what a beautiful way to say goodbye to someone you love!  Pop's ashes were sent out to sea at the same beach he swam at every day of the year, so that now he will be able to carry on his tradition.  

From all of us here in the West household, goodbye Pop!  We love you, and will pass on fond memories to those family members who are yet to come.  They may not have had the chance to meet you, but they'll remember you all the same.