Lots of digging, lots of family

Wed., August 19, 1936 - Howard helped dig silo over home.  The men came over here for dinner.

Thurs., August 20, 1936 - Went to town for Old Settlers Picnic.  Had dinner up home.  Rained good about 6:00 this evening.  We were home by 12:00.

Fri., August 21, 1936 - Howard went over to the folks this afternoon and they dug silo.  I washed up the dishes for Raymond.

I cannot begin to imagine how much digging would be involved to install a silo.  Big around, and I imagine fairly deep to be sure the darned thing would stay put in a high wind.

How interesting that Old Settlers should pop up, given that the weekend before last was our every-three-year family reunion.  Grandma and Grandpa both would have really enjoyed it.  For the first time, I believe, our branch of the family tree was represented via the youngest in attendance; Tanner was 5 weeks old over that weekend.  The number 17 on his onesie says that he is the 17th Iversen born here, from Peter and Maggie's children to Tanner.

As usual, I talked too much to the people I see often and not enough with the people I do not see so much.  Lots of Aunt Helen's family came back for the interment of Uncle John's ashes.  It was a nice service.  I learned quite a bit I did not know about Uncle John when the minister read his obituary.  For example, I had no idea he played in the band for Truman's inauguration.  How cool is that?

In all, a great reunion -- lots of people said so.  And as I said, Grandma and Grandpa would have enjoyed it, probably even more so than some.

Uncle John

Wed., August 23, 1933 - Cloudy this a.m. but cleared up in the afternoon.  Ola and family came in this morning to spend the day.  Ola was helping unload gravel down town.  I went home with them this evening and took our washing along.  Annie and I are going to wash together tomorrow.  Mom has to work at Kochs' tomorrow and at H. E. Simans' Friday.
Thurs., August 24, 1933 - Today wasn't such a nice wash day; no wind to blow out the wrinkles in the clothes.  Edwin came down to help Ola.  When Mom was coming after me this evening something broke in the car and now it won't run.  Edwin, Florence, Louis and I went to the dance Bob Fenske was giving at Hoskins tonite.  The boys and I stayed at Meta's place all nite.
Fri., August 25, 1933 - Came home at 7:00 just as Mom left to go to Simans'.  I slept some more this morning.  Howard came after me to go to lodge tonite and took me home afterwards.  We had some good watermelon for lunch tonite.

I guess I never hung enough wet clothes on the clothesline.  I remembered too much wind wasn't good as it could damage clothes.  I never thought about just enough wind to help with wrinkles.

I just realized I had not commented on here yet about Uncle John passing away.  As much as his family likely wished he could go back to how he was and to stay with them longer, I am sure he and Aunt Helen are sharing drinks and hearty laughs in the hereafter now.

It's not the greatest photo, but I think they'd get a chuckle out of it.  Everyone is so serious here, even Bill while in the midst of a silly gesture.  Grandpa looks downright gloomy.  Or disgusted.  Gotta love this family!

Heatwave

July 14, 2002:  Nancy came early in the afternoon.  She vacuumed while I showered.  We played Rummikub and visited a lot.  Helen called while she was here.  It was 108 degrees out there during the day and now later it was 99 degrees!!!!
July 15, 2002:  Played cards tonight.  Afterwards Dolores and I played Rummikub.
July 16, 2002:  Mary took me for my weekly hair-do.  I had a new girl -- Angie.  I think I'll like her.

I am sure Aunt Helen and Uncle John did not enjoy 108 degrees, whether a bit more used to it than we in the Midwest or not.  I was reminded of Aunt Helen yesterday.  Her grand-daughter, Michelle, posted a photo of herself on facebook.  She directed it to her Aunt Trina and said she was wearing her grandmother's necklace.  So, I took that to mean it was Aunt Helen's necklace.  A lovely photo, all the way around.

Don't like one answer, try someone else

June 11, 2002:  Missed hair appointment.  Hot weather.
June 12, 2002:  Nothing much happened.  Attended Book Club meeting -- read an article about the history of the flag to the group.
June 13, 2002:  Called Lois -- Myrtle still in hospital -- not sure how soon she'll be home.  Called Frances C.  She's moving in with Dana and wife.  Called Myrtle after dinner -- she doesn't know when she'll be home.  Has therapy every day.  Tom came for supper.  He did the laundry.  I showered and we played Rummikub.

Did Grandma not like Lois's answer to the question as to when Aunt Myrtle was coming home?  In all reality, it may have been that Lois thought Aunt Myrtle would know more later in the day, but it reads that Grandma maybe didn't like or trust her information and wanted to go to the top.

I think I can speak for the group and say that we had a grand time at Lois's yesterday for the 4th of July gathering.  Not as large a crowd as other years, but sometimes you get to visit better with people that way.  In any event, a fine time was had by all.  And cream pies were present.

Here's a photo from a 4th from the past.  I am thinking 1999 or thereabouts, but I am not sure.  Some were there, some were absent, and some are gone from us.

Grandma must have been worried

"July 20, 1995:  Howard to Dr. Patel -- took biopsy.  Raymond's took us to Toni's to eat.
July 21, 1995:  Pinochle at Ida's.  Gaylord's and Lee and Virginia N. here in the evening.
July 23, 1995:  Helen and I played Scrabble.  Bill here at noon -- Jayme was at music camp.
July 25, 1995:  Helen and I played Scrabble here.  John brought the stand for cassette tapes.  Raymond and Marina went to Elmer & Myrtle's."

I am thinking Grandma was worried about Grandpa's health, or very involved with company and cards and Scrabble, but I am positive we were up to Winside prior to July 25 to introduce Anna to the family, and there's been no entry by her about that.  Even if that date is incorrect, I have looked ahead in Grandma's journal and there's no mention of a visit prior to Anna's baptism in August and I know we were up before then.  But, I will forgive her the lack of a mention.

I imagine Mom remembers how ornery we were with the first Anna visit.  I hatched a plan and Rick dropped Anna and I off in St. Paul's parking lot and then he and Mitch rode down to Mom's.  We had to tell Mitch it was okay to tease Grandma this one time.  So, they get in the driveway and Mom comes out and Rick tells her that it was hot (which is was) and I was really tired so Anna and I stayed home.  Mom admits she told them in sullen tones to just come on in the house then.  By that time I was walking down the hill with Anna, so we didn't tease her for too awfully long.

Well, I thought I had a photo ready of Grandpa and Anna during the introduction visit and now I can't find it.  So instead, for no particular reason, here are Uncle Elmer and Grandpa living it up.

Mitch, the yakker -- finally

"May 13, 1995: Nancy, Bill, Jenny and Patty came in the morning.  Bill took us to dinner at the Black Knight in Wayne.  We played cards in the afternoon.  About 4:30 we went to Dorothy Jo's for Teresa's college graduation party.  Bill's left about 6 or 7:00 -- took Mitch back with them.  Nancy had brought him to Greta's in the morning.  Mary and Rick didn't come -- doctor advised Mary not to take such a long drive.  Tom and Merilyn came to Dorothy's and then here -- we played cards.  They left for Lincoln about 11:30.  Tom had a job to finish Sunday.
May 14, 1995:  Nancy, John, Helen, Dale, Kyleah, Dane, Howard and I were at Greta's for dinner.  Had a good dinner and good visiting."

I hate to pick on Grandma here, but of course it was a good dinner and good visiting.  Good grief.

I am glad to read that Mitch went a-traveling without his parents.  Most of us remember when that would not have happened -- not no way, no how.  But by this age, he was getting much better.  I think mid-May would have been about five months after the shock I had in the grocery store when Mitch started talking the ear off the lady behind us in line.  It was like a switch was tripped -- prior to that incident he pretty much wanted nothing to do with anyone that wasn't Rick or me.  But that one day, shortly after Christmas and his birthday, that he started telling this lady who was a stranger all about his presents and excitement for the holidays.  Thankfully, she was not opposed to talking to a little guy and responded with all the right questions and shared enthusiasm.  I swear I could have walked out of the store without him and he wouldn't have noticed.

Here's a photo of Mitch a different Christmastime, obviously not enjoying himself very much.  Moments before he was happy in his little disguise, but once the camera came out he was done with it.  Obviously.

Tilling and quilting

"April 23, 1995:  Greta took me to Werner Mann's 50th anniversary celebration at the auditorium.
April 24, 1995:  Arlene R. came with a quilt to be bound.  We basted around the outside of it.
April 27, 1995:  John took Howard to Norfolk and Howard bought a new Huskee tiller.  He had been using Lila H.'s since she moved to town.  Now that Jim is out of the service, he needs it.  $529.00 + $31.74 tax = $560.74.

Well, the quilt is one of Arlene's but the date on the back says 1993, so I'm close but with no cigar.  It is a lovely quilt, me thinks.

I still like how Grandma recorded the cost of things Grandpa bought or needed, but not so much her quilting supplies.  There were doubtful good, solid reasons for that but I still like to smile about it.

More quilt stuff going on

"March 19, 1995:  Greta took me to church.  I talked to Nancy.  I'll be staying in Lincoln from next Sunday -- the 26th -- until Palm Sunday.  Merilyn will have surgery the 28th.
March 20, 1995:  John and Helen took me to Pierce to Dr. Voss to have my prescription renewed.  Sewed binding on Alicia's quilt.
March 21, 1995:  Baked peanut butter and ice box cookies.
March 22, 1995:  Sewed binding on Merilyn's quilt."

Now, I have not made a full-sized quilt ever.  But I think I would probably want to take a beating before I was able to finish doing the binding.  I am assuming Grandma is talking about hand-stitching the binding down as the final step in finishing a quilt.  First, I am too picky and would fuss and stew over each and every stitch ("Should I go over to the right an extra millimeter, or is this okay?).  Second, I don't do well doing any one thing for as long as that must take.  Well, I guess that isn't true since I don't mind crocheting for long periods of time.  But with crocheting you can see progress by just holding it up quickly.  With a quilt, it just all looks the same, I imagine until suddenly, poof!, you are to where you started.  I don't think the four corners would be progress enough to keep me going.

Enough about me and my quirks.  Here's a photo of Mom undoubtedly smiling about her future daughter's borderline insanity.

What trip?

"February 15, 1995:  Busy Bees met at Charlotte's today.  Howard took me -- was warmer in afternoon.  Tom called this evening -- they had a good trip.  Bought a condominium in Laughlin.
February 16, 1995:  TOPS held open house this p.m.  Visitors were Kris M., Betty M., RoseAnne J., Audrey Q., Lois M., Melissa D.  Had a good lunch.
February 18, 1995:  John and Helen came back in late afternoon.  Visited John's family, Marjorie and Shirlee."

Well, so far as I can tell reading backwards, Grandma hadn't mentioned that Tom and Merilyn were even taking a trip.  Seems they went to Laughlin, say my excellent powers of deduction.  I think Tom and/or Merilyn rather scoffed at calling the place a condominium, though.  Said it was just a teeny apartment.  But I think they enjoyed it.

I found this on wikipedia about Laughlin.  See if you can figure out which part I find somewhat depressing:

"Its name comes from Don Laughlin, an Owatonna, Minnesota, native who purchased the southern tip of Nevada in 1964 (informally called South Pointe). At the time, Don Laughlin operated the 101 Club in Las Vegas. He opened what would become the Riverside Resort, offering all-you-can-eat chicken dinners for 98 cents, 12 slot machines and two live gaming tables, along with eight motel rooms (although four of the rooms were occupied by Don Laughlin's family). He wanted to call the community Riverside or Casino, but the post office opted for Laughlin instead.  Laughlin is the third most visited casino and resort destination in the state after Las Vegas and Reno, and is one of the top five destinations for American RV enthusiasts."

Nice.  I am older than a town, albeit an unincorporated one -- that part was earlier in the article.  As a side note, the kids and Nancy and I went to Owatonna, Minnesota on one of our trips.  There is an old building being used as government offices that was once part of an orphanage there.  They had lots of photos and articles and other information in the hallways about the orphanage.  Very interesting.  Appropriately, here's a photo of Mitch and Anna outside that very place on that very vacation. 

Ouch!

"January 29, 1995:  Tom, Merilyn and Nancy came about 8:00.  We played Hearts until 11:30.  Tom and Merilyn stayed at Helen's.
January 29, 1995:  Tom, Merilyn, Nancy, Greta, John, Helen and Dorothy Jo here for dinner.  Howard fell on the ice -- bumped his head -- his shoulders and neck are sore.
January 30, 1995:  Howard feeling better.  John and Helen left on a trip to Florida to visit John's twin brother and other relatives."

I seem to remember Grandpa falling and that he was rather bruised up.  Hopefully I am thinking of the same episode which would mean he didn't fall and get hurt often enough for me to mix them up.

The photo is very likely not from January of 1995 or any year for that matter, but I decided Grandpa is making a face similar to what he may have had after he fell -- kinda perturbed.  Looks like he needed to mow after he finished the fish.

Normal things and serious things

"January 9, 1995:  Lois K. came for Merilyn's quilt.
January 10, 1995:  Called Marie P. for her birthday.
January 11, 1995:  John came just as Howard was ready to take me to WELCA -- so he gave me a ride to the church.  Mary Ann S. took Helen and me home.  Gas man put a new belt on the furnace.
January 12, 1995:  TOPS meeting tonight."

Grandma has something for four days in a row here, but it's pretty ho-hum stuff, not that I am not grateful that she put this stuff down.

Grandma had other things in this little journal that were not day-to-day things.  I posted long ago the list of people that got black walnuts once.  I don't think I've used what she had on the inside cover of the journal before.  I have no idea why this information was put to paper, but here it is:

"Korean Conflict
June 1950 - July 27, 1953

Vietnam War
1964 - 1975
April 1970 - Nixon sent troops to Cambodia
Fall of Saigon - April 30, 1974
Beginning of Johnson's administration
1963 -- 17,000 American troops in Vietnam
5 years later over 500,000 troops there

1958 -- Alaska admitted to Union"

I didn't fact-check any of this, but toss it out there just because.  I imagine most reading this know, but just for the record, all of the KIAs from Wayne County during the Vietnam War were from Winside, and if I have them correct from my internet search they were Sgt Robert Lee Dangberg, Sgt Robert Alfred Wagner, and Pfc Mark Steven Witt.

(I had to make the photo smaller than usual due to its resolution.)

Christmas 1994 and Post #300

"December 22, 1994:  TOPS had Xmas party here.  Low calorie snacks and gift exchange.
December 24, 1994:  Nancy came at noon.  Helped me for evening.  Greta, Dorothy Jo, John, Helen here too for soup supper at 5:30 -- then gift exchange.  Greta, Helen and Dorothy went to 9:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service at church.  Nancy and I played Rummicube.
December 25, 1994:  Howard rode to Wahoo with Nancy.  About 10:30 when we got there.  Jayson and Lora left before dinner.  Exchanged gifts in p.m.  Tom and Merilyn not there -- her sister and husband were at their place.  John and Helen and all the others there.  Came home about 8:30 -- saw so many pretty lighted places on the way."

How very well I remember soup on Christmas Eve -- I had chili and left the oyster soup (ugh!) to others.  The evening also included church and singing carols by candlelight and the goodie bag we kids got when the service was over that always included an apple or an orange (sometimes both!) plus peanuts in the shell.  Nothing so extravagant as to write a book about, but remembered traditions nonetheless.  I suppose I was a wiggly pest waiting for the soup and polite conversation to be over so we could open gifts.  We didn't do things in the order Grandma lists here.  It was church, supper and finally presents.  Hard to wait through all that when you are a kid.  Even an older kid.  I became a mean mother and had my kids wait until Christmas morning.  I figured it was actually less torturous that way for the adults than the wiggly pest thing going on for a whole day.  They survived quite nicely.

I am out of Christmas photos, so thought I'd just use this one of the almost-Christmas baby.  He's two days old here, so it was December 28 of that year but oh, well.

Flurry of activity

"December 16, 1994:  Howard, Greta and I to Lee & Rosie's for chicken fish supper. 
December 17, 1994:  Tom, Merilyn and Nancy came at noon.  Had chili soup and played Hearts all afternoon.  Tom and Merilyn stayed at John and Helen's.
December 18, 1994:  For Howard's birthday dinner at noon -- Tom, Merilyn, Nancy, Dale, Dane, Kyleah, Mary, Mitch, Greta.  Rick stayed at Greta's with Lester.  In p.m. to John and Helen's for clan Christmas gathering.  Nice weather.
December 19 and 20, 1994:  Too tired to do much of anything."

I think Grandma's last post rather goes without saying.  She had a busy few days there.  I am somewhat glad she didn't list everyone who was at the clan gathering -- makes for extra work for me picking labels for the post.  Soooo much extra work.

I am wondering if I read "chicken fish supper" correctly.  Perhaps Grandma missed an "and" in there.  Dunno.  Regardless, I am sure a fine time was had by all.

On a personal note, my laptop isn't fixed, rather isn't fixable.  Hopefully they will return it to me in the same shape as it was before I took it in.  It was doing nearly everything I wanted/needed it to do.  If they gummed it up trying to fix it, I shall be one irritated customer.  Fingers crossed.

In fairness to Tom and with regard to the un-smiling photo of him yesterday, here's a happy Tommy-gonna-be-Tom picture.

Outings and aboutings

"December 11, 1994:  To Lois and Gaylord's for dinner.  John's van wouldn't start so we had to use the Pontiac.  Just John, Helen, Howard and I were there.  Mark and Jeff, too.  Tom came late evening.

December 12, 1994:  Tom and I left at 7:00 for Sioux City.  Got to doctor's office before 9:00.  After examination and pictures of eyeball taken we ate at a Wendy's place.  Then Tom drove to the casino at Sloane.  Stayed about an hour -- won nothing -- back to doctor's office and then home.
December 14, 1994:  Went to WELCA Christmas dinner and program. Snowed during meeting."

Grandma got to go to the casino and Grandpa didn't?  Oh, the humanity.  I wonder if it was a spur-of-the-moment decision to go or if maybe they planned it and Grandpa just didn't feel like going out.  I know if I would have been there, I would have won nothing, also.

Here's a photo of Tom, thinking of something, I'm sure.  Probably not an outing to Sloane.

Laser, schmaser

"December 6, 1994:  Busy Bees Christmas party at Helen's.  Started to snow as we were eating dinner.  As soon as meeting and gift exchange and dessert over, all left.  I stayed and Helen and I played Scrabble until 6:00 p.m.  John took me home.  Snowed all afternoon and evening.
December 7, 1994:  Clear today.  Had between five and six inches of snow.  Cold, but not much wind.
December 9, 1994:  Irene D. took me to Yankton to Dr. Sprik.  A beautiful morning -- frost on trees and everything.  I'm to go to Sioux City Monday to Dr. Wadzinski -- maybe laser."

I had to read Grandma's last word a couple of times to get it right.  It looked to me that she wrote "maybe loser."  I knew it was wrong, but this being a Monday morning, I wasn't quick on the uptake.  I was probably too distracted by thinking about Grandma even using the word 'loser'.

I found a photo of snow, plus frost.  Bonus.

One trip a success, another cancelled

"November 30, 1994:  John and Helen went to Lincoln.  Tonight they'll go with Tom and Merilyn by plane to Las Vegas and then drive to Laughlin.  Will meet Trina, Paul, Marina and Raymond there.
December 4, 1994:  Cold -- didn't go to church -- have a cough.  John and Helen came home this p.m.  Finished piecing the 3" square block quilt top.
December 5, 1994:  Was to go to Yankton to Dr. Sprik today.  Cancelled the appointment -- very cold, just 10 degrees above -- and my cough is still a problem.  Will go Friday instead."

It's still Saturday, right?  I didn't miss a whole weekend of posts again, did I?  Unfortunately, it is Monday.  Fortunately, however, my laptop should be fixed soon so that I can post from home on the weekends again.  We do have another computer at the house, but when I think about posting John is in the middle of something and when he isn't, well I don't remember to go post something.  Ah, well.

I had to blather on a bit about that topic as I don't have any particular thoughts on Grandma's entries.  I don't like to think about 10 degree days, I do have a thought on that matter.

For no reason, here's a photo of Grandpa talking to a dog.  Looks like Fuzzy to me, but I'm not sure.  As a bonus, I realized there is a quilt in the photo so it ties in with this entry after all.  It's not the 3" square quilt though, that's for sure.

Knitting?

"November 13, 1994:  The entire family plus Helen, John and Dorothy Jo there at Greta and Lester's for their 25th anniversary.  The family went together and gave them a bread maker.  We gave them the Storm at Sea quilt.
November 14, 1994:  Beverly N. took me to Legion Auxiliary meeting -- Lila brought me home.
November 15, 1994:  Mailed knitted doily to Marina and Raymond -- anniversary present."

Knitted doily??  What's up with that?  I would bet the farm and all my critters that Grandma did not knit.  I don't think Grandma Anna knitted.  I lived my entire childhood thinking we were crochet people, period.  Maybe Grandma had one from the Iversen side that she was given or something.  But other than that, I'm stumped.  I can't see her going out and buying one, but I suppose that is a possibility, too.  I have an anti-knit bias and would like to see this settled.  Mom?  Nancy?  Jim? 

I think I am caught up now with this being Tuesday and this also being a post for Tuesday. 

Here's Grandma Anna contemplating, I am sure, the inferiority of knitting.  I love the doodad in her hair.

Surgery for Ramon

"August 16, 1994:  Ramon had surgery -- part of his right lung removed.
August 19, 1994:  Pinochle at Laura J.'s.
August 20, 1994:  Tom and Merilyn met John and Helen at Onawa.  Tom's came here in p.m.  They stayed at Helen's at night.
August 21, 1994:  Tom finished the patio.  Also fixed the front railings -- they are steady now."

Pretty normal stuff here.  I do remember that Ramon had that surgery.  Sounds like quite the ordeal.  I never saw him sick, but I bet he was a pretty good patient.

I know I've used this one before, but here's the only photo I have handy with Ramon in it.

Doctors everywhere

"July 20, 1994:  Bonnie F. took me to Dr. Sprik at Norfolk.  He made an appointment with Dr. Wadzinski -- thought I might need laser treatment on my left eye.
July 22, 1994:  Pinochle at Elta J.'s.
July 25, 1994:  John and Helen took me to Sioux City to Dr. Wadzinski.  I won't need laser treatment.  Lester had knee surgery.
July 27, 1994:  Greta has ear infection."

I am drawing a blank on Lester's knee surgery.  I don't think he had a knee replacement or refacing done, but other than that I'm lost.

I have no internet search ideas for this post.  It is going to be a short one to be sure.

I did look ahead and Grandma wrote up to August of 1995 in this particular journal, so I should probably be thinking ahead and looking for the next one to blog from.  This one took a beating and the front cover (just a little spiral notebook) came off and is held on by a rubber band.  So, it's a good thing it is nearing the end of its service.

For no particular reason, here's a photo of Grandma and Uncle Ray having fun.  And the shadow of the hat of the person that took the photo.  Their father, maybe?  He liked taking photos we know.

Family reunion 1994

"July 1, 1994:  Rain and wind.  Couldn't go to Elmer's in the evening for the weiner roast.  Bill, Jenny, Jayme, Jayson, Lora, Tom and Merilyn here in evening -- played cards.  They all stayed in motel in Norfolk.
July 2, 1994:  Reunion at Legion Hall.  Paul, Trina, Lynn and Lorraine, Gary, John and Mike; Jean, Toni, Marjorie, Frances, Dana.
July 3, 1994:  Heather and Mike here in p.m.
July 4, 1994:  Jean, Marjorie and Dorothy Jo here in a.m.  Nancy left about 1:30.
July 5, 1994:  Rose's funeral in a.m.  She died July 1.  Lorraine, Lynn, Paul and Trina here in p.m.

As hectic a time as Grandma was having in 1994, I had quite the hectic few days here in 2012.  Thursday evening and Friday morning was spent finding to aged basset hounds that had wandered off.  Fluky thing with a door blowing open.  These same two dogs got winded just galumphing around the pasture a week ago.  In fact, one had to be hauled back to the house in a wagon.  However, when left to their own devices, they manage to wander over two miles from the house.  Found one by the side of the road, seemingly waiting for we pokey humans to show up; shivering, wet, a bit dazed but otherwise okay.  The other was less than a mile away on the other side of the road, and seemed a bit perturbed I woke him from his nap.  He was far enough down in the ditch that it nearly required me to slide down in the wet weeds to push him up and then wait for a rescue of my own.  Thankfully he was able to pull himself up with a little help from me pulling on his collar.  He is the terminally ill one but seemed much less stressed than the other, healthier one.  Then on Saturday and Sunday we moved the dog kennel panels around the yard and otherwise made a big job of relocating all four dogs.  In the end it looked great and we had an excuse to take some of the family out to eat to celebrate our combined efforts.

Now back to 1994.  Grandma must have gotten interrupted on July 2 as she has an incomplete sentence there and in reality it had no period, but I can't stand to leave it sitting there without one so I took some poetic license.  Other than that, it looked like a typical family reunion with folks coming from all corners of the USA to be there.  Fun times, to be sure.

I stumbled across a photo from Jayson's wedding.  Mitch isn't doing the silly, squinty smile he used for the professional photos, but he is cute nonetheless in his little tux.  Actually, it's a pretty good shot of all three of us, I must say.