Cousins Reunion 2008

This past weekend, we were privileged to host a reunion of all the cousins on my mother's side of the family together with their spouses. The cousins were probably last all together when Kathie and I were married in 1990, but I can't recall a time when all of us plus our spouses were together. In spite of the fact that several had weather-related travel difficulties, either coming or going home, it was a wonderful weekend. Janice and Mike were the first to arrive.

So, we immediately broke in the sky chairs and the bolo wrap game to make sure they would be ready for the weekend.

Patty, Pat, Rex, and Chris arrived next and in time for lunch.

After lunch, we spent some time on the deck and in the sun. We were waiting for Ron and Paula who were experiencing a number of travel delays--they had originally planned to arrive the evening before.

They did arrive at about 4PM in the afternoon. Being all together at last meant that required group photos could begin. Here are the cousins arranged from oldest to youngest. There are many past pictures of us arranged more or less like this. See, for example, the posting I did last February by clicking here.

For some reason, we have gotten into two versions of group shots--the happy or normal version (just above) and the goofy-faced version, which you see below. Who do you think should win the contest for most original goofy expression?

Here are the respective spouses in their "normal" poses and with their goofy faces on. There is no question that Pat wins this contest. Ron gets the bright, shiny watch award.

Before going out for some evening retirement celebration festivities, we took a walk around our property and along our road to view adjacent properties. Here are the weekend hosts along with one of the bears I carved a couple of years ago. Fortunately no one this time suggested that it looked more like Yoda or a jackalope or some other critter.

Here are two of the cousins, siblings Patty and Rex, with the other bear.

Then Rex and his photogenic spouse near our "Gus", who greets guests at the entrance to our property.

Here we all are along the road, the fat guy seems to be acting like a tour guide.

This bear seems to have become a posing spot for pictures of sibling cousins.

We had planned an outing to Famous Dave's to celebrate retirements, past, very recent (Ron and Paula), and future. A kind gentleman agreed to take this group picture for us.

Below are the five couples preparing to chow down on some fine barbecue. Janice and Mike--

Chris and Rex--

Pat and Patty--

Paula and Ron--

And the hosts--

After dining, the female cousins, perhaps all feeling the effects of a little extra celebrating, decided that a carousel ride would be just the thing to top off the evening.



Each couple was in charge of one meal. Chris and Rex prepared a beautiful, colorful bowl of cut fruit that I wish I had captured on film. They had stopped at our local bakery on the way in to our place, and so I at least got this cutting of the pastry.

During the rest of the day, there was lots of playing. Pat and Mike took off with the canoe and disappeared up the river for a couple of hours.

Others took a boat ride and got a glimpse of the lake and other homes in the area.

Patty and Janice seemed to enjoy the boat ride, though it was a little cool.

Kathie provided materials for making laminated commemorative bookmarks from pieces of fallen birch bark. It was like camp, and this was one of the crafts sessions.

Some pinball gaming also took place.

In the late afternoon, we watched the Preakness while sipping sour apple martinis. These drinks have become something of a tradition here at the lake.

I always like this spot for a group picture. It looks like everyone was having a good time.

Naturally, we had to have another lineup of the cousins.

Then, some additional pre-dinner sunning.

Paula and Ron fixed the evening dinner. At two or three of the meals, we passed around a bag of questions. Each person had to pick one and answer it. Most questions were designed to recall memories or funny stories, and the laughter suggests we succeeded with that.

In the evening, Paula led another craft session. Each couple drew the name of another couple and then made a Christmas ornament to commemorate the weekend gathering.

Here are the end products, which were delivered the following morning. Watch for them on a Christmas tree near you this next December.

Sadly, everyone departed after that last event. Mike and Janice were the last to leave, and so before everything was said and done, we got in a little high pressure water gun action. Alas, we did not succeed in convincing the squirrels to stay away from the bird feeders.

I hope we can all gather again sometime. This was fun!!

Hummers (Not the Gas-Guzzling Kind)

I hung two hummingbird feeders yesterday. One was a gift to us from sister-in-law Gail (thanks!!) and the other is one I previously had. We put them on window hangers so that we can get a ringside seat. Hummers started showing up within 15 minutes. There are at least two and probably more, but one of the little guys is really aggressive and typically chases the other away, although today he/she was sometimes tolerating both on the perch at the same time. He sometimes even buzzes me when I step outside. I used my telephoto lens from just across the deck to catch the pictures below and had to take many to get these relatively good ones. After you read through this posting, I suggest you come back and click on each picture to see a larger version. The detail is rather amazing, if I do say so myself.

For starters, I managed to catch one hovering near the feeder. You can see the body and head clearly, but the wings are a blur at best.


Then I concentrated on capturing their color. They move so fast, and even when perched, the slightest movement sends them off. Typically, the camera shutter sound startled them enough to make the pictures a little blurry, but this one turned out well. They are iridescent, as you probably know. Their green backs and red throats shimmer.


Finally, here is one of a departing Hummer. If you click on this picture to see a larger version, you can see the amazing color and the blur of wings.

Surprise Birthday

Well, it's been a quiet week in my home town. NOT!

I had one of the best surprises in my life this past week. My birthday was Saturday, and Kathie and I had driven to the lake on Thursday. We had been here no more than 30 minutes, when Kathie asked how I felt about birthday surprises, to which I replied, "I already got my birthday present (a new trolling motor), so I don't need anything more." Then I looked out through the screened-in porch to see a familiar blue car and then realized my daughter was getting out of it! Betsy, Pete, Henry, and Clara had arranged with Kathie to surprise me by spending the weekend here for my birthday. Then, of course, Will and Sandy also showed up unexpectedly the next evening to add to the fun. My sweet, sneaky wife and kids had been arranging this for some time. I'm still smiling. Here are some pictures of the festivities and fun.

Josey and Lucy guarding the area under the bird feeders. After some initial territorial disputes, they got along quite well.


My always-smiley granddaughter and her mother.


Henry and his Dad caught quite a few fish off the dock.


Henry and I spent some time in the sandbox.


Brothers-in-law checking out something on the computer and perpetually ribbing each other.


Betsy fixed crepes for my birthday breakfast. Will and Sandy brought an enormous chocolate cake from their Minneapolis 50's diner.


Henry invented a game called throw/hit/catch that was played on the landing with ping-pong balls and paddles.


Sandy and Clara spent some morning time together.


Here is Henry with his first crepe. You have to eat the whipped cream first. It is a corollary to the rule about twisting Oreos apart.


Betsy cooking crepes.


The perfect crepe.


Uncle Will and Henry comparing crepe notes.


Clara and me.


Uncle Will and Henry go canoeing.


Here is Henry having breakfast another day.


Clara almost succeeded in rolling over for the first time while she was here.


Here are Aunt Sandy and Clara again.


Here is me with Clara again.


This is the entire group.


The kids thought it would be funny to have another where we all grimaced or whatever. Pete did not cooperate.


Finally, here are Josey and Henry inspecting something. Heaven knows what.



I wish Rob, Carrie & Eleanor could have been here too, as well as Jessica & Mike and Travis. Maybe next year!! I like surprises like this one!!