The Brookston Family Blog
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A few weeks ago during one of our trips to the “food store,” Porter picked out a Halloween-themed cake mix. He’s been hounding Sarah to make the spooky cake for at least a couple of days now. Today, being Halloween, she relented and after school they made Halloween cake.

Porter mixes the batter.

Then he put the cupcake paper in the slots.

After they filled the cupcake sleeves with batter, they were transferred to the oven to cook.

Porter shows off the finished product.

Porter’s school took them trick or treating from room to room this morning so I took Alice and joined them. Porter seemed very happy to have Alice there with him.

Porter made a point of holding his sister’s hand. It was sooo cute.

Alice looking up admiringly at her big brother.

Porter, of course, was his favorite spaceman this Halloween, Buzz Lightyear.

“To infinity and beyond!“

Alice dressed up as a witch for Halloween this year.

Alice and her “familiars“, an owl and a rabbit.

Running after a red balloon.

Using a fork to put a spell on you.

I chose this week’s motivational message simply for the image since it was spectacular vistas such as this one that I was looking at all last week.

Sarah and Alice lounge in the snuggle chair as Sarah nurses a sore throat (too much talking?) and Alice her cold.

Pretty in pink.

There was a tow truck parked in the spot where Porter’s school bus normally picks him up and he found endless fun in the truck. He counted the tires, tried to climb the stairs to the door, and ran around it pointing out the colors of the lights and other features. But by far the most fun Porter had was pretending to use the buttons to raise and lower the rear to accomodate cars to be towed.

“The car goes up, the car goes down.“

Porter did indeed play with his new Space Shuttle all weekend. He and Alice were thrilled to see us when we arrived at Casa Johnston.

Porter seated in the cockpit of his new space shuttle.

Thrashing around during re-entry.

Sunday morning, many of us met at Carmel River State Beach for bagels on the beach. It was a gorgeous day with nary a cloud in the sky.

Sarah on the beach.

Standing, left to right: Jenny, Pat, Corey, Nikki, me, Shmare, Christi, Sarah, Michelle and Jolene. Kneeling: Kristine and Suzanne.

After the reception had ended, we still weren’t even close to being done so we moved to the hotel bar, Jack’s, for nitecaps.

Karen and Sarah reveal their political tendencies.

Porter’s friends John and Henry hit the dance floor and were busting some moves making the rest of us look like rank amateurs, with the possible exception of Sheldon.

John and Henry’s Daddy poses quietly with the boys. Notice how sedate and angelic they look.

Then Sarah taunts them with cake, perhaps giving them the quick hit of energy they need to hit the dance floor.

Here’s a Quicktime movie of John and Henry Busting a Move. Normally, Henry might be considered the shy one of the pair, but boy has he got some moves when you put a little sugar in him. You can either download the movie to your desktop or just click on the link to play it in your web browser (assuming your web browser has the quicktime plug-in installed).

All of the guests at Michelle and John’s wedding reception received a crystal topped wine-stopper as a wedding favor. Not content to use it only for its intended purpose, a couple of the guests experimented with alternative uses which produced this cautionary tale.

“Hey, John. Look what I’ve got!”

“Oh, yeah. Lick it big boy!”

“I’ll bite your nipple if you swallow my crystal ball.”

As their wives looked on, cringing, John and Chris laughed and laughed. There may have been drinking involved but either way, please don’t try this at home or anywhere else.

The reception also took place at Pacific House in Monterey. While we were enjoying cocktails and conversation, the busy staff readied the same area where the wedding had been held for the reception. Each table was named for marine life, and we were seated at “Sea Dragon.”

Karen and her hubby, Mike S.

Chris and Katherine and Sarah and me.

Top row: Nikki, Karen and Zenobia. Bottom row: Suzanne, Kristine and Shmare (Sarah).

Mike S. and Pat (John & Henry’s Dad).

The groom leads the conga line with wild abandon.

The groom and me.

Only Karen (middle) captures the true spirit of the traditional “see food” photo while Nikki (left) and Kristine (right) make a half-hearted showing.

The bride and me.

Mike S., Michelle and Karen.

Sheldon, Jenny, Chris, Nikki, Kristine, John and Suzanne showing obvious signs of public drunkeness, with the exception of Nikki, of course, who’s expecting.

After the ceremony, while the bridal party was having their myriad pictures taken, the rest of us had cocktails and finger foods. It was great to catch up with so many friends we rarely see these days because of distance and circumstance.

The inimitable Karen and Mike K.

Dr. Jenny says “beer is good for you.”

Sarah and Sarah hug.

Sarah, John Smith, Mike R., Kristine, Katherine and Chris.

Sarah, Zenobia and Suzanne.

Sarah and me.

John, Christi and me.

The happy couple, Michelle and John.

Michelle also concedes beer is the perfect beverage.

Our dear friends Michelle & John got married today in Monterey at the historic Pacific House near the ocean.

Bridesmaid Christi flashes a devious smile.

With sunlight streaking the proceedings, Michelle and John are pronounced husband and wife.