We attended the Kuras Family Reunion in June, and it was a good time…
There was a brief rainstorm to deal with, as well as a DJ who sidelined as an Elvis impersonator, and a photographer who didn’t use a tripod or Photoshop, but hey, we played games, had fun, ate food, and all was good…
The kids have a ball.
Survivor Man Steve is ready for anything!
Maddy enjoys cake (too much!)
Emma is in it to win!
Tinkerbell needs surgery. She has a lump that may or may not be malignant, so we’re getting it removed. No one is looking forward to this…
Here’s an update on Tinkerbell’s condition.
We drove out to West Middlesex, PA for the wedding of Jessica and Nate, and besides spending 8+ hours driving on Friday, and Sunday, we had a good time. On Saturday, Dana and I drove out to the lake she grew up on, some of it she recognized, as it hadn’t changed in many years, and other things looked new, or were forgotten long ago.
It was also good to see family again, and Emma and Maddy definitely had a blast hanging out with Shelby.
We’re hoping to get out to Maryland this Summer, but we’ll see how things go.
Oh yeah, if you are looking for the Papa John’s Pizza in West Middlesex, Pennsylvania, it’s located inside the Walmart.
Dana and I designed and printed these shirts for the whole family for Xmas.
The first time I tried to explain St. Nicks to Dana, she just didn’t get it. She said that stockings were for Xmas morning, and not some random day at the beginning of December. I tried to explain that that’s the way we do it in the Midwest, and figured her way was the “Back East” way. Oh, little did I know…
A quick look at the Wikipedia revealed the following: (emphasis is mine.)
While feasts of Saint Nicholas are not observed nationally, cities with strong German influences like Milwaukee, Cincinnati, and St. Louis celebrate St. Nick’s Day on a scale similar to the German custom. On the previous night, children put one empty shoe (or sock) outside, and, on the following morning of December 6, the children awake to find that St. Nick has filled their previously empty footwear with candy and small presents (if the children have been “good”) or ostensibly, coal (if not). For these children, the relationship between St. Nick and Santa Claus is not clearly defined, although St. Nick is usually explained to be a helper of Santa. The tradition of St. Nick’s Day is firmly established in the Milwaukee community, with parents often continuing to observe the day with even their adult children.
So it’s a Milwaukee thing… Now you know.
