Happy Easter!

Happy Easter and Happy Birthday to my cousin Harry!

LL and I started an early weekend.  We got over to our camping spot around 11:00 on Friday and LL went straight to work.   R. the owner was true to his word and spread gravel on our driveway and left a pile for LL to spread.

LL then started in on the second tent site.

After he got done with his work.  No, I was not lazy while he was doing this.  Just not interesting.  We decided to go for a walk to find the closest access to the river.

We were very happy to find it was not that far.

I forgot to take pictures of the site after our efforts were done.  But LL got the driveway graveled.  The campsite cleared.  Rocks bordering.  Pavers for a landing outside of Marlins door.  and lots of other little things.

We got home around 3:00 on Saturday afternoon to get cleaned up and ready for Easter.
We went to Kris's house this morning and had a wonderful breakfast.

Well they don't look happy, but they were!

Kris is always the best hostess.  I know for a fact, even a simple breakfast takes work and she is always relaxed and welcoming

Kris and Steve

Karen and John

We had eggs, bacon, ham, toast, fruit, french toast, maple bars, champagne, juice and coffee.  What more do you need?

Kane after having plenty to eat.

Max had a good time cuz he had his maple bars and chocolate milk.

I frankly don't know why LL was so goofy.  Guess it is just in his DNA.

After we left Kris's, LL, Kane and Rett decided to have fun Jamming.  Three very talented men.  LL on lead guitar, Rett on Bass, and Kane on drums, and they all three play all of those instruments and more.  They could of done a round robin game on instruments.

The Greatest Discovery

The old tradition of showering gifts to the newest member of a family.  Baby showers are fun for one reason alone.  The Baby.  Today I went to Tyler's shower.  He was born in September.

On the right is Sandy, Tyler's mom, and Tyler.  On the left is April holding her son, Tyler's cousin Zachary.

Both these babies are my cousins sons.  Steven and Michael. 

I need to learn to take several pictures at a time in case eyes are closed.  This is Aunt Agnes and Tyler's grandma, my Aunt Geri.

Mom, (Evelyn), Geri, Karen and Maurita

Karen holding Tyler

It's presents time

Our Hostess, my cousin Mary.

Bailey holding Zachary.

Crusty Mom

I have shared before about my Mother's pies.  They are soooo good.  What makes them delicious is her crust that always seems to turn out for her.  It shouldn't be so good.  She uses boiling water and a little milk.  I have watched her make it for years.  Never to attempt this weird recipe.  For one thing, she doesn't have a recipe.  She just throws it together with no exact measurement.  Well, yesterday morning I watched REALLY carefully and took notes.  I then went home, (had to buy lard on the way) and made two pies while it was all fresh in my mind.  LL says they both turned out great.  He is so kind.

This is the peach pie.  The pies are not as pretty as Mom's.

Had a lot more trouble with this apple pie.
 The crust would not roll out well and I didn't make enough filling to really fill the pie nice

My next attempt will be a lower sugar pie for LL.  It is amazing that I had so much trouble with the apple pie crust and it still tasted flaky and good.  This pie dough is really good.

Busy but Fun Weekend

Our weekend started out busy.  Saturday morning, LL and I decided to walk to our city park.  The Art Fair was going on and it is one of the best in the valley.  We then attended LL's 30th Class Reunion.  We had a great time.  He had a very small class so the turnout was great!  Sunday, my family got together because my nephew-Godson was here with his wife and daughters.  He just got back from serving in Iraq and now lives in North Carolina.  Saturday I was so happy that my "digestion" held out and we were able to do what we wanted.  Sunday I was not as lucky and we had to leave the Barbecue early.

Silverton Art Festival

This artist probably had my favorite paintings.  You can never have too much color for me.

Some day I will bite the bullet and buy a beautiful stain glass pane. 

LL's class reunion.  Gervais Union High School Class of 1980

Sacred Heart Catholic School.(grade school)  Class of 1976

Gervais Grade school grads of 1976

This is Tammy and I.  Neither one of us were in class of 1980.  She is married to Mark.  We have all been friends for years.

North Howell Grade School Grads 1976 plus me.  I went to grade school with both Marie and Sharanne.  So I had to get a picture of the three of us:)

I was so glad I was able to make it through all Saturday's activities but wasn't so lucky on Sunday

This is the only picture I took of our celebration of my nephew's return.  I think a bird should poop on Kris's tongue.

Had to leave but still had a good time:)

Family Picnic Part 5 and Last

Generation 3 and 4

As I have said. Separating by generation is near impossible so this is a combined post. The first two pictures are both from Generation 3. You will see the age difference


My oldest niece Katie. She has two boys, Gaij and Sam. Isn't she old:)



This is Zachary. His parents are Michael and April. Isn't he young:)


Max and Brendon along with some other people I don't know. OK....... balloon man in back, Steve. Hubby, Cole and my enabler Aunt Leone.

I am not sure why I can't get the front of people when they are in groups. I so need a photography class. These are my cousin's Jean and Jills kids. At least I think it is. Need to start getting the front of people.

Joseph with his grandma Geri

You might remember Kelli from a previous post getter her hair done. She looks a little better in this picture.

My great nephew Samson.

Samson's dad helping the girls out.

(((CANNON BALL!!)))

Just had to put this picture in. A basset hound, weiner dog and chihuahua walk into a bar......................Seriously, can you find three funnier looking dogs anywhere. They look like a comic merry-go-round.

Family Picnic Part 4

Generation 2

The Baby boomers...........well, sort of. I am about the middle of this generation by age, and I am at the end of the baby boomer era. I was born in 1963.

GRRR!!! I am very disappointed in myself. I know I am not a photographer, but I missed taking so many pictures of people. Only about half my cousins attended the picnic and I only got pictures of about half of those who attended. Next time we get together I will take pictures before I start visiting with everyone. I got sidetracked.


My cousin Maurita is in the green with her back to camera. She and I have a unique bond. When I was about 5 yrs old, we were rushed to the emergency room together. While playing a game (Ghosty Ghosty) Maurita was carrying me. We went through a sliding glass door. This was before they started making the safety glass. We both still have the scars from that evening.


Maurita's sister Marlene is in the middle with the flowered dress I wanted to steal from her. I was so happy to see Marlene's family come to the picnic this year. They are usually so busy between farming and sports. I missed getting pictures of their two other sisters, Maureen and Julie, and their brother Jim. GRRR...........


My sister Karen. Over the last year and a half, Karen has lost around 150 lbs. I have been wanting to do a whole post about this and hopefully will do that soon.

My cousins Diane and Valerie. Valerie's daughter Brenda got married just two days before so it was nice to see her at the picnic. Diane and I had a nice visit. Both of them have been through a lot over that last year or so. They lost their beloved sister Shelly, Shelly's husband Denny, and their mother Elaine.

This is my cousin Michael's wife April. She is mom to the youngest person at the picnic. I will show his picture tomorrow.

On the left is Jill, Agnes's daughter and Jean unfortunately is only seen with the back of her head. Again GRRR...........

My cousin Jim's wife Bonnie.

Bud and Birdie.

I can not believe some people. How rude not to take posing for pictures seriously!

Gus and Gertie

Well OK! LL and I apparently can't take it seriously either. Oh boy, you can see up my nose.

Steve and Kris

O.k. that is a lot better

Cole (LL-Love of my Life) and me