Rease Family Reunion June 27, 2010

Kendra, Rory and I arrived in Columbia just before noon on Saturday June 19 and met up with Tami, Tony and Connor at the hotel. After a quick lunch the six of us drove on to Eastover for a stopover at Aunt Betty's house where we visited with Iris Helena and Aunt Toots as well as Betty's grandson Ron Jr. After leaving there we headed on over to Arthur Wells' house where a number of people had gathered under the carport. Melanie and Arthur Wells and others provided supper for everyone. The kids enjoyed playing in a water table.

Connor and Rory are front and center enjoying the water and staying cool. In the back are:

far back--Sharon and Pat; middle--David and Arthur Wells; front--Nikki and Kendra.

All reunions have traditionally been held at Grandma Rease's house because of all the memories it bears. This is the front of Grandma Rease's house which was completely renovated by Wayne and his wife Tracey. Still bearing a close resemblance to the way it we remember it but in much better shape.

The side yard of the house now with lovely landscaping used to be pretty bare.

The back of the house where Grandma Rease's calves used to come up to the back door for their bottles and where Ruby once threw a panful of burnt squash and water out for the chickens just as Sheryl came running around the side of the house. Surprise, Surprise. The looks on "thrower" and "throwee" were equally priceless.

Here are gathered the elder Reases. Ruth (Toots) far left, Marie, Wilbur and Betty.

Time for the meal and everyone lines up after the blessing.

Connor is very ready as you can see and he loves having a table just his size.

This is the real Play Station.

After the meal group pictures were taken quickly before a quick thunderstorm rolled in. These are the Grandchildren of Grandma Rease. You will notice several are missing who didn't hear their names called, notably Pat, Cloyd Albert and Charlie.

Rory and I took the opportunity to enjoy the tree swing.

I love seeing everyone at the reunions but it is hard to visit because of the number of people. There is something very comforting though about just being in the location of so many good memories and seeing the people that helped make them that way.

Visiting with Margaret & Steve in Atlanta 6/24-26/10

Kendra and I had the opportunity to stop by our former neighbors in Snellville, GA for a short visit on our way to the Rease Reunion in SC. Bill had opted to stay home and save having to kennel our 3 dogs. It was my first trip back in a little over a year. In fact, the last time I was there was just a few days before Rory was born on May 3, 2009.

Such fond memories of the neighborhood, neighbors and the house we had there.

Margaret had not seen Rory since she was about a week old when she picked up Grandpa Bill from the Atlanta airport and drove him to Auburn, AL so he could meet his new granddaughter.

Steve kept us well fed while we were there. He stayed busy in the kitchen.

By the way, the dog biscuits were for the dog not us.

Rory got to meet Sozie, the 4-month-old Golden Doodle addition to the Collins family.

It was an experience for both dog and child.

Rory didn't like Sozie's kisses and Sozie didn't like Rory's crying.

Steve helped Rory develop her flying skills--after all he did use to work for Delta.

Before leaving, one more picture with Steve who hates getting his picture taken. After that it was on to the family reunion.

Father's Day 6/20/10

Sunday after church Bill and I were invited to Tami's for lunch to celebrate Father's Day. Adam was also there. We had grilled tuna, corn on the cob, pasta salad, pea salad and blueberry pie. Unfortunately Bill didn't arrive until almost 3:3o because of a meeting right after church so Tony was the only Father celebrated at the meal. Tami & I were quite peeved that such a meeting was planned for Father's Day. At least we did have our pie together after Bill had eaten his lunch all by himself.

It was a good meal, Dad Tony is ready for a nap but not son Connor.

Are you sure you don't want to take a nap?

Here they are Fathers and Sons working on a lawn mower. You might notice only the non-father is keeping an eye on what Connor is doing with the screwdrivers!

Bill's Garden June 2010

I thought it was kind of late but Bill finally put his garden in. Tomatoes, peppers and okra. The fence is supposed to help keep the rabbits out. It may be kind of "redneck"--chicken wire with boards from an old picnic table--but Bill used what he had--that's eco-friendly, right. He also set some marigolds around the edges thinking that might help keep them away.

Even Xena isn't keeping the rabbits out of the backyard. Of course she prefers being inside in the heat of the day lying on the nice cool tile and just looking out the door. Isn't that a "It's too hot, why don't you go chase them," look?

Of course I haven't mentioned the moles. I have no idea what they might do. This whole subdivision is full of them. If one person tries to get rid of them, they just move on to the neighbors till the coast is clear to move back, leaving some of the family behind just to keep things up in case they have to return. The only one that kept the moles at bay in the back yard was Kendra's beagle, Shelby, when she spent about 6 weeks here.

Memorial Day 5/31/2010

We started the day by putting the flag out in honor of all our veterans, past and present. Bill had worked Sunday night getting the flagpole holder fastened to the front of the house so we could display the flag. Connor happened to be with us while his Mom & Dad were out with friends so he helped "Papa" get it fixed. When he finished there he came into the kitchen and helped "Nama" bake a pie. He spread milk on the top crust and sprinkled it with sugar. As he was working, he kept saying "this is going to taste good!" Then he helped roll out the leftover pie crust and sprinkled it with cinnamon sugar. He was so thrilled to get to eat it when it came out of the oven. He stayed busy helping both of us while he was here.

Flying the flag / Honoring our troops Past and Present

Tami, Tony, Connor and Adam came over Memorial Day. Tami and Tony decided to forgo going out on their boat because of the threat of rain and naturally it didn't rain. Tami brought marinated (organic) chicken to grill as well as feta green beans with dill and corn on the cobb. I fixed a pasta salad, banana pudding, rhubarb pie and tea. Tami also made fresh lemonade. We ended up not eating outside because it looked like it might rain and we didn't want to have to dash in carrying soggy food. Again, we were fooled. As soon as we had everything in and were sitting down it cleared up and was nice the rest of the day. Still it tasted just as good inside or out.

Later because it was so nice outside, we went out and Connor had a good time swinging in the swing while Tami and Adam decided to help out by giving Pepper and Shadow a bath and haircut.

Can you believe it takes 2 people to cut the hair on a 9 pound dog?

They do look better and feel a lot cooler now, thanks Tami and Adam. Life is hard when you are a 15 & 16 yr old dog. Both are partially blind and deaf but they still get around good if slow.

Pepper, age 15 Shadow, age 16

Kendra and Rory's Visit--5/28-29/10

It is so nice having Kendra so close so that we can see her often. She has been making trips here every 3 weeks while Josh works his full day weekends. Of course we get the best end of the deal having her here but it means she can also visit with Adam and Tami, Tony and Connor. Kendra and Rory arrived as usual about 8:45 Saturday morning and we had blueberry pancakes together.

It was such a nice day although somewhat overcast so we took a walk. Should have thought that one over; the sun came out strong shortly after we started and we got way too hot and had to cut it shorter than our normal 2 miles.

Later in the afternoon, Adam & Aliza came over and stayed for pizza.

It was pleasant enough to swing and talk.

Kendra, Adam & Aliza

In the evening, Kendra showed Adam & Aliza Rory's Baby Book that she had made.

Aliza found out how to make friends with Rory by giving her a treat.

Although she had intended to go back home Saturday night, Kendra decided she was too tired and stayed the night. That meant she got to go to church with us and we got to show them off again. They also got to hear Grampa sing a short solo. We remembered to take some church clothes pictures just before getting lunch. After lunch, it was time to leave and head back to Madison.

Kendra and Rory

A rare picture...Grandma and anyone, but this one is with Rory.

Pat & George Visit--May 13-19,2010

On the morning of Thursday May 13 , Pat and George called to say they were about an hour from us having just exited Route 40. And sure enough by noon they were pulling in, but not without some advance preparation to make sure their "home" would fit in our driveway. We had emailed pictures and measurements back and forth to have them "look" and see if everything would work out and of course it did.

Question: Will one Big Motor Home fit through this gate and be able to park in the back?

Answer: Yes it could!

It was a great visit, we visited the Hermitage, the home of Andrew Jackson, seventh president of the US. The weather was perfect, not too hot or too cool. We got in a good walk and enjoyed the spacious grounds and the mansion.

Beautiful staircase at the entrance to the mansion.

Now for the burning question: Who is buried in Jackson's Tomb? Why Rachel & Andrew.

Kendra had just been here on Sunday, but she since she seldom gets to see Aunt Pat and Uncle George she wanted to see them while they were so close, so... she came up again on Friday with Rory. Adam, Tami, Tony and Connor were also here a number of times since they were in nearby Nashville and could run out easier.

Pat, Tony, Bill & Kendra

Tami, Adam & George (with Connor on the floor by Tami)

Tami, Connor, Rory & Adam

Xena is especially fond of Pat and has been ever since she was a puppy. So she would wait outside the motor home until Pat came out and then follow her wherever she went.

Is she ever going to come out?

Yeah! Pat, Pat, hey Pat I'm behind you.

Shadow and Pepper figured Xena shouldn't get all the attention and naturally Pat had the goodies.

All good things must come to an end and so did Pat & George's visit. Very early Wednesday morning they got up and began the process of pulling up camp to head for Ohio. We had such a good time it was sad to see them go. But.. we look forward to the next visit!