Trip to Illinois

I returned Sunday from a four-day trip to Illinois to celebrate my grandmother's 90th birthday. She looked great, and seemed to be on the top of the World. She has a little trouble walking, but is otherwise in good health and just as persnickety as I remember. My brother Richard, his wife Gwen, and their seven children came out from Utah. My cousin Bill, his wife Tamara, and their daughter Tiffany (with boyfriend Mike in tow) came out from San Diego and Mesa, AZ, respectively. My wife PJ and I, as well as granddaughter Amber, flew in from New Hampshire. My cousin Mike and his wife Jennifer came over from Missouri, as did his brother John and his wife Lynnette and children Joshua and Melody. The shot above is my brother Richard, me, and cousin Bill, with the guest of honor, Grandma Mae, in the middle.

To the left is my cousin Mike in the right field of the photo, with his wife Jennifer next to him. To their right is Lynnette, Bill, and Richard. Bill was telling a story that was probably bullshit, unless he was explaining the $200.00 bottle of whiskey we were drinking.






This is John and Lynnette. Obviously, at least one of them is insane. Actually, they are really great people and it was great to reconnect with them after many years.


This is PJ, Amber, and Papa Dutch with Grandma Mae.