Alan and Barbara, 5-13-06

Ashley Wedding

This letter contains both images from the recent wedding, as well as the just completed family reunion. What a deal. Two for the price of one.

I enjoy attending weddings, particularly wedding where I am just spectator. Worrying about getting things "just right" is too much bother for an old man.

Karren, on the other hand, is still trying to get things right. Karren, like almost everyone I know (including me) creates most of their own problems. It is usually easy to see that behavior in others, and most people are oblivious to how the sabatoge thier own affairs.

All things considered, the reception was... lovely I think was the word I kept hearing bantied about.

Fred, Laura, and all three of their childern were present. Then again, a wedding is usually a command appearance for a parent or sibling.

Nathen brought Terre. If I had to guess, I would speculate that it wasn't originally his idea.

Now I may be seeing things in this photo that don't actually exist, but you tell me if Ashley doesn't have the look of a cat that just cornered a carnary. I suspect that Ben had better hold on tight, because he is in for the ride of his life.

Braxton brought Sabrina. Again, if I had to guess, I would speculate that it wasn't originally his idea. It is a wise man that can sense when to steal an idea from his wife.

I had not met Ben's family prior to the festivities. They seem nice enough (even if it appears they are going in different directions).

I particularly like this shot. It can be intrepreted as expressing a range of interactions between mother/son and/or parent/offspring.

I suspect that the main reason Ameilia came was so the she could complain about the heat. It must be terrible to be born without an internal temperature regulalting mechanism. Doesn't she look miserable?

Kyle is fast becoming expert at manipulating adults, and has his father (who many had dismissed as "untrainable") almost fully trained.

Ashley wore a very nice dress. I have always wondered why the female of the species chooses wedding atire that is basically disposable (use once and store for 50 years). I suspect that it is one of those questions that is best answered by the phrase, "If you have to ask, you will never really understand..."

Kylie is also becoming proficient at adult manipulation. I suspect that is indicitive of two things. First, her mental capibilities are fully functional, and second, she is surrounded by adult who enjoy being manipulated.

I'm not sure of the rational behind decorating the floor with balloons, but one consequence (intended or otherwise) was that it kept the children occupied.

I wonder how many photo of squinting couples have been taken in this location. It has become an absolute tradition.

Yes, all my grandkids are cute. They don't grow a big nose until they get a little older and discover that air is free...

There is one thing about marrying someone of a different height. Ben could go almost completely bald and if he kept ladders away from Ashley, she might never know.

Look carefully. Which one is really enjoying this reception?

Even a cynical old man like me has to admit that Ben and Ashley make a nice looking couple. I wish them the very best.

...And, bartender, I'll have a glass of whatever she's drinking...

Sessal and Charlotte Allen Family Reunion

We arrived at the reunion after the business meeting was almost over, so I was unable to attend. Hearsay evidence suggests that a couple of questions were considered, and it was decided that the reunion will continue to be held annually (as opposed to bi-annually), the book that Aunt Joan compiled with photos of all will be updated annually, and there is to be a group photo taken at each reunion. Here is a "complete" group photo from 2007. It is markedly difficult to get 100% compliance when dealing this large of a group, but I think there are somewhere in the neighborhood of 85 people in this photo. Parenthetically, there was something about pouring a concrete floor under the shade where the table sit.

The composition of the attendees has changed markedly over the last few years. If my calculations are correct, there are only four of the first generation of Sessal and Charlotte children (and spouses) who still choose to attend, and Symantha was kind enough to capture an image of them here. They are Nella, Joan, LeGrande, and Lynn.

Over all, I thought it was a fun reunion, and with a very few (though picturesque) exceptions good times were enjoyed by all. We (being Barbara and I) bailed out Saturday night, as Barbara was feeling quite tired. She slept all the way home, and after getting in bed about midnight, arose (though not completely refreshed) just before 11 am. I do regret missing Nathen's salsa (though I suspect his feelings may have been hurt when many people found it too hot).

I include this photo here just to demonstrate to Ameilia that when attending a reunion, there are indeed things besides people to photograph. This is a much smaller species of agave than the ones we have locally. It is also different in that it has red as well as yellow flowers. I don't recall encountering this species previously, and (being ignorant of it's correct appellation and considering its diminutive size) will call it a quarter-century plant.

Symantha volunteered to be my designated photographer and captured several exceptional images (as well as several mundane ones), so I have her to thank. Barbara also took a camera and I include some of her shots as well.

Reunions are usually thought of vacations, and vacations are associated with rest and relaxation. Nathen and Braxton seem to have grasped the concept.

Here, it appears that Karren doesn't think my camera is functional. After all, it doesn't even have a place to load film...

Barbara brings as much to a two day reunion as I take on a two week cross country journey, but if you put it to an unbiased vote, I think the grandkids (et al) would favor her balloons, bubbles, snow cones, and cotton candy over my more reasonable packing.

So much to see, so little time...

... if I can just sneak away from the watchful eyes of the parent types...

Sometimes I feel like I was walking on air (assuming, of course, that I knew what walking felt like).

Don't look now, but Dad and I are having a race to see who can sunburn the fastest...

These rolls are good, but only after the stuff on top has been licked off...

Ok, world, here I come, ready or not...

Just what I always wanted...

The stairs to get down from here have to be here somewhere...

I'm in the chair and I am wearing my seatbelt, now feed me.

My big black baby.

Forget the photo. Give me my sippy cup now!

Where did mom go? She was just here...

Wide eyed innocence.

Good!

I'm sure my name is in here again...someewhere..

A family group of my family group that was there.

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We arrived at the reunion after the business meeting was almost over, so I was unable to attend. Hearsay evidence suggests that a couple of questions were considered, and it was decided that the reunion will continue to be held annually (as opposed to bi-annually), the book that Aunt Joan compiled with photos of all will be updated annually, and there is to be a group photo taken at each reunion. Here is a "complete" group photo from 2007. It is markedly difficult to get 100% compliance when dealing this large of a group, but I think there are somewhere in the neighborhood of 85 people in this photo. Parenthetically, there was something about pouring a concrete floor under the shade where the table sit.
	The composition of the attendees has changed markedly over the last few years. If my calculations are correct, there are only four of the first generation of Sessal and Charlotte children (and spouses) who still choose to attend, and Symantha was kind enough to capture an image of them here. They are Nella, Joan, LeGrande, and Lynn.


Reunions are usually thought of vacations, and vacations are associated with rest and relaxation. Nathen and Braxton seem to have grasped the concept.