The occasion was not unlike other family dinners that had taken place since...well, time began. The air was festive with joke-snickering and tale-telling (usually by Don)  that always goes on at these things. What none of us knew that night, as we sat around the dinner table eating chocolate pie with real whipping cream and watching our father open presents and tell corny jokes, was that come next October 21st, he would no longer be with us.

So it seems appropriate to assemble here on the Internet what has to be one of the last "family occasion" albums that was recorded with the Califoria Rattenne family intact.- Ken Rattenne

The Dinner Table
 

On October 21, 1995 Donald Clair Rattenne turned 73. The Dinner held to the California Rattenne tradition, with all three kids driving to San Jose to celebrate. As with past Family Dinners, Jayne served up a great meal, complete with everyone's favorite dessert, chocolate pie! Left to right: Dennis Mosca (Karen's husband), Marlene Rattenne (Kirk's wife), Jayne and Don.

A favorite feature of the Todd Way house is the water fountain nestled in a corner of our screened-in patio. The sound of the gurgling water that lazily pours forth from its spout lends a soothing air to our get-togethers.

"Happy Campers"

Jayne and Don pose for their portrait on Don's 73rd birthday. Gee, he got cards and everything!

"Nicely Nicely" Don work's  diligently on a piece of chocolate pie  while Jayne takes this opportunity to describe...something.

	(left) One of Jayne's  giant sunflowers.	GARDEN PARTY A Look At Jayne's Garden Part of the lure of the Rattenne Family Homestead is Jayne's amazing backyard garden. Let's take a brief tour!
(Above) Can you identify this flower? Hmmm? Can you? Not sure? (Right)  Jayne's African Violets are World renoun...well, maybe not WORLD renoun but certainly Neighborhood renoun. Well, OK, but they are beautiful.