SHIPPENSBURG MINI-REUNION

May 21, 2009

 

A WARM AND SUNNY PLACE

 

John and Darla's home is one of the most welcoming places we have found.  If they aren't careful, we're just going to move in and stay.  Darla's grandfather built their house and her father helped.  When we arrive we usually find little notes like the "Welcome  Bob and Camille" on the refrigerator.  John is a photographer, so their refrigerator photos of the grandkids are a notch above your usual. Click on the refrigerator picture to see the detail.  John took this photo while we were staying with them of a robin feeding a worm to its baby.  They were nesting in the planter on the side deck.

 

A BIG FAMILY MEAL

We made it a potluck with a salad theme and everyone had more than enough to eat.  After dinner, we old folks settled in for some tall story telling with the even older folks, Camille and John's parents (Janice and John) and Darla's parents (Dolora and Sonny.)  John took these photos.  Click on the photos for a closer look at this gray haired bunch.  

 

FUN ON THE LAWN

 

John took these photos of Charity and Jason and Camille surrounded by his grandkids Ben, Micah, Jacob, Lydia, Levi, Bethany and Alana.  Click on the photos for a better look.

 

FOUR GENERATIONS

Then John  got us all together and set the timer so we could have a group photo of four generations.  Standing from top left, Brandon holding his son Jacob, Joanna with their daughter, Bethany, Michael, Aphia, Bob, Camille, Charity holding her daughter Lydia, Jason holding their daughter, Alana.  Seated in chairs are Darla's parents, Sonny and Dolora and John (and Camille's) parents Janice and John.  Seated on the lawn are John, Darla, Ben and Micah (Brandon and Joanna's sons) and Levi (Charity and Jason's son.)  Click on the photo to see a large image.

 

OUT WITH A BANG

 

As a special surprise, Michael and Aphia brought a big bag of fireworks.  It was an amazing display of colored flowers and butterflies which had the kids gasping in delight.  The older kids got a kick out of watching the younger kids' reactions to the display.  It reminded us of when we were young and our parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles would bundle us up and take us out to see the town fireworks.  Photos by John.

 

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY MORNING GOODBYES

   

We said goodbye to John as he headed off to work Friday morning, apple in hand.  Click on the photo for a closer look.  The plum tree looks nice next to the flowering locust.  John picked some locust flowers and we ate them.  They were sweet!  Bob and Camille helped Darla weed the ivy from the bed around the plum tree.  On Saturday morning, we said our last goodbye.  Darla and John were heading out to shoot a wedding (with a camera, not a shotgun!)  That's what they do on wedding season weekends in addition to their day jobs and tending the grandkids.  They both work harder than we can imagine, yet always seem to have time for a smile and a joke. 

 

LAST GOODBYE TO MOM

 

We stopped by Mom's apartment on our way out.  We decided to take some photos of Mom's apartment to share with her sister, Jeanette because we were headed that way and Jeanette has not yet seen Mom's new place.  We'll start with the front door, which is decorated with Easter cards.  Next, Mom proudly shows off her desk and entertainment center.

 

LIBRARY AND BEDROOM

 

 We took note that Mom keeps the little deer on her bed that Emily, Amy and Molly Armantrout gave her when she was in the nursing home after her debilitating car accident January 5, 2007.

 

FAMILY MAKES A HOUSE A HOME

 

Camille snuggles up to her Mom.  Mom proudly pats her sixth son.

 

FROM JEANETTE VIA THE TROUTS

This spider plant is a baby of one of the babies mom's sister, a.k.a. Aunt Jeanette gave us when we visited her last year.  Now it lives on Mom's window sill and reminds her of her sister.

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