4th of July Long Weekend

The Phoenix friends ventured our way for a hang-by-the-pool day the end of June.  How convenient to be so close to them and instead of a 3 - 5 hour drive to visit us, it is a short 30 - 40 minutes.  It is always a pleasure to spend time with these special people.

l-r: Allison, Sue and Michelle

Seems like we had just returned from Lake Powell and it was time for another get-away.  However, I
have to mention that Larry's work has required a lot, a lot! of travel lately.  Our planned 4th of July get-away to eastern Nebraska was affected a tad bit when the "powers-that-be" required his attendance at a quarterly meeting meaning he was unable to travel with me on the 4th.  So, as I headed out for Omaha, Larry headed for Montana with plans to join me two days later. 

I disappointed myself greatly by not pulling out my camera upon arrival at niece Karyl and Travis' home in Omaha.  Larry's sister Linda had traveled over from Gothenberg and nephew Joel and Lauren were visiting Nebraska from their home in Texas - I failed to get any of those pictures.  However, the 4th of July gathering at Karyl and Travis' home was great.  Omaha put on a beautiful fireworks show which we were able to to enjoy from their comfortable back deck.  Below is Dawson with the fireworks dad Travis provided.



The 5th took me on a 1 1/2 drive to Columbus, NE, where my Aunt Jackie and Uncle Clyde live.  It is always a pleasure to be able to spend time with them and especially nice when cousin Syd and her husband Paul and cousin Mitch and his wife Roxie are able to join us. 

l-r: Uncle Clyde, cousin Syd (husband Paul in back), Roxie and cousin Matt and Aunt Jackie.

Aunt Jackie is my father's twin sister.  Their story is interesting.  Their birth mother abandonded them in Chadron shortly after birth.  Two Chadron families wanted to adopt them - but separately.  Aunt Jackie went to her family and my father went to his family.  However, what a gift their parents gave them!  They were raised in Chadron knowing they were twin brother and sister and were named Jack and Jackie.  What a gift to us as well in that we know our aunt and cousins!

Aunt Jackie's was an R.N. by profession and Uncle Clyde a physician.  Aunt Jackie and Uncle Clyde were both huge golfers which they just gave up this year.  Aunt Jackie, at 84,  still keeps busy by volunteering at the local hospital which provides her with great satisfaction as evidenced by her talking about her time spent there.







The 6th took me to Lincoln to collect Larry.  Life in Phoenix and how far we have to travel at times just within the city made the 40 miles backtrack trip to Omaha for dinner with Karyl and Travis not seem like much at all.  Gad though, can't believe I forgot to use my camera again. 

We ventured back to Lincoln after dinner meeting up with nephew Todd and friend Virginia and husband Dennis.  The reason for this gathering: friend Virginia's son Jesse's wedding the following day.

l-r: Dennis, Virginia and Dennis' son Jeff who traveled from Oklahoma for the festivities.

This is the only good picture of the bride and groom that I got.  The church was beautiful and the weather cooperated as well - was only in the low 90s with a lot of humidity but no wind!  Chelsey was a beautiful bride.

Virginia and I went to high school together which means we've been buds for coming on 40 years.  She was my maid-of-honor and I was her maid-of-honor.  Her son Michael was Larry and my ring bearer, and Larry and I are her son Jared's god-parents.  She is such a good friend...such a blessing!  I'm one lucky person when it comes to the friends and family in my life.

On the left is our ring bearer Michael (with wife Alaina) and to the right is Jared, our godson.  In the background is Virginia's nephew Crae who I haven't seen for at least 18 years?!










Below is a picture of the bride (Chelsey) and the groom (Jesse Paul) with Jesse's father Paul (left) and his Uncle Kent (right). 

This wedding gathering allowed for a reunion of sorts with friends we haven't seen for too many years.  It was fun to see Paul and Kent again after so many years (and meet Paul's wife Cydne and Kent's wife Milka).  We missed Jean and Boyd being able to attend though.

l-r: Cydne, Paul, Kent, Rachel, Cassidy and Milka.

Sunday took us back to Omaha from where we would fly back to Arizona and the opportunity to visit Larry's Uncle Ron and Aunt Lola. 

We're happy Larry's work schedule allowed us this trip to eastern Nebraska and the chance to see the variety of family and friends.  Time spent in eastern Nebraska also served to help us appreciate our dry Arizona heat.

Regarding health update: nothing to report.  I continue to meet with Dr. Paripati with blood tests monthly.  I feel good!