Elser Family Blog

Hannah and I made a whirlwind trip to what was promised to be the great white north. When we picked up the rental car, I told Hannah.. “now watch the thermometer, because its all down hill from here”, as it was at ~65 degrees.
Well.
When we finally arrived at Dave and Whitney’s house.. it read 65 degrees. in Indiana. At 7:30 at night.
So much for the snow.
However, we did stop at a truck stop for a break, and played a game of bowling. It was worth 75 cents.

On the way to D&W’s we decided to trust GPS, and take some side roads. Well, we learned that Google maps is quite good at mapping everything from roads to farmers fields, and I also learned all about “traction control”. we also learned that there are strange roadside memorials in the boondocks. At night. In the fog.

Somehow, I managed not to take a picture at D&W’s. How that happened, I don’t know. I guess we were too busy visiting! It was good to see them, and talk. its great to keep in touch on the forum, it makes it like you were never really away from each other. but nothing can take the place of seeing each other in the flesh.
The next afternoon, we did arrive at Grandma’s house. Here is Grandma telling a story to Hannah. It had to do with her school days. She told a story on how she attended a integrated High school (in the 40’s) and that one time when they wanted to have a dance, but the place they wanted to reserve would not allow the black students to attend! so, as mom put it “they went somewhere else!”

Merry Christmas Dad. I’ll always remember you. Love, me. (And Im still looking for my pictures of dad that I had posted at the funeral. Whoever gathered them for me, Thank you, but can you please return them now?

And Merry Christmas Mom! kiss kiss kiss. I love talking to mom. She is so original, and interesting.

And here is the family Get together.. For the record, Kimm and Jeff got the Donkey. (the donkey was “all stars” and had the names of the baseball all star players around the base.)(click for a larger version) Man, seeing Kimm and Jeff’s kids.. you realize how quickly time goes by. yikes!

So, after this, and a nice day lounging around at Melinda’s and Mom’s and visiting with Steph and Elden, We had a uneventful trip back to the south. Just the way it should be.
Then, later that week, we all went a bit east.. to visit the latest cousin! Ethan Oliver was born on the 28th, to Kathi’s sister Christine. ( I might have to correct that date !)
So we got to visit on New years Eve right before she left the hospital. Again, my picture taking was a bit of a failure, because they all wanted to check out the baby.. no time for posing, so thats my excuse for not having a good picture (smile).
let me say, he is quite a cute baby.
Let me count… OK, my kids have 14 cousins on my side, and 6 cousins on Kathi’s side. And still counting! Kathi’s side is good for another 2 or 3 I’m sure. Thats’a lotta cousins!

Doting.

Mom seems happy!

And later, we blew off some fireworks! I learned this setup from Cousin Pete. (gluing wick to all of them. (Make sure you fray the end of the wick you want to light first)

Ohhhh.

Ahhh.

Hannah making a dragon (I think).

And last, but not least, Kathi wanted me to take a picture of the tree that came from cutting off the top of Aunt Stephanie’s tree a couple years ago.
The thing is taking over!