The Labor Day Gathering

Ian's two sons and his niece's husband hiked up Porcupine Mountain, stopping half way for this picture of our compound. We had over 60 for the BBQ on Sunday and 20 overnight on Saturday - 22, if you count the two Romney sheep in the back of Laura's truck. We even had six dogs, and everyone, dogs included, got along famously. It's the first time both of our family's have all gotten together, and even then we were missing some. We're both hoping that next year "all" of our family will be able to be together. The gathering included neighbors and friends as well - our family isn't *that* big.

Noah is delighted with the attention he's getting from his new Aunt Missy and she's delighted to give it.

This is the first time that cousins Noah and Alexia have ever played together and what better play medium than water. Best of all, it washes off! The shade of the garage became the favored gathering place - the front deck was too small and the back deck too hot.

Allison and Alexia decided this was the girl's tent - girls only. No stinky boys allowed! That's what Alexia is saying.
Ian and I watched the last trailer to leave - the Gathering was officially over and declared a roaring success by all. We're already thinking about ways to simplify and improve it for next year.


We had ordered this palm tree from a sculptor who lives in our valley to celebrate both of our landmark birthday's this year. It was delivered Friday morning before our guests began to arrive. I spoke to my niece a little later and learned that my brother had passed away early that same morning. Ian and I decided that in installing it the same day, it is a marker for all three of us. Only I can assure you that Bob would never have paid for this - he would have found something to trade. That's the way he liked it, but we think he approves just the same.