What a bunch of firsts...

Over the Fourth of July, we had a really neat bunch of relatives here from Georgia. Hank, Doy (Pam's sister) and their son Mike and his family (Janet, Sarah and Ben) all flew up from the sweltering heat of Georgia to be here and what a surprise -- the weather for the first half of the visit was absolutely beautiful. Most of the time the temperature was in the mid-70s with very low humidity and just a little breeze. We were all pleasantly surprised.

With that kind of start, we were able to get outdoors most of the time and do lots of things...most of which were firsts for at least one of the members of the group.

It began with some fishing at the pond. Ben was quite the fisherman, and got into a bunch of bluegills and got to pulling them out one right after the other. He had 10 pretty good ones in no time at all. He also caught one of the mid-size bass (a first for him). Doy and Sarah got to fishing and I found out that that was the first time Doy had either fished or caught a fish -- I can't remember which she said. It all happened so fast, and......the fish was only about 4" long!! Sorry, Doy. Sarah also got a fish or two but did more feeding of the bluegills than catching them. On that same day, Chuck, Alanna and Karen also tried their hand at it. Alanna has a little child's pole and we were all wondering what would happen if she got into one of the big catfish. But that didn't happen as she tired of fishing in a very short time and turned her pole over to Grandpa for safekeeping. And wouldn't you know it -- just after she gave it to Chuck, one of the bass took her worm and Chuck hooked it. He reeled it in and all the while Alanna jumped up and down saying, "I caught a fish, I caught a fish."

Later that evening we all sat around the fire ring, watching the stars and telling stories. I really enjoy those times.

We were also able to go to Chuck's and watch the fireworks that the City of Lima puts on each year. They do a pretty nice job.

One of the other firsts was taking the kids for boat rides. The women went shopping one day, and we all went over to Lake Loramie for a short ride on Miss Pam. Since I forgot to check the gas tank before we left, we only had enough for about an hour's ride, but that was plenty. I know that was Ben's first ride in our boat. Later in the week, we also took canoe rides on our pond. I think almost everyone who took a ride said this was their first or second time doing that. It's not a big pond, but it was fun.

Before they all left, Pam brought out all of her dummies and everyone sat around just having fun trying to be a ventriloquist. When you see this picture, try to avoid asking the obvious question.

I put most of the pictures on my Picasa site, so if you know where that is, check them out.

Families are like fudge - mostly sweet with a few nuts.

Hooah