A Solemn Ending to a Wonderful 2012

After our family reunion last August in Oregonia, OH, we spent another 8 weeks at my Sister Debbie's home there in Oregonia.  During that 8 weeks I visited my Mother many times at her nursing home.  I also had the pleasure of visiting with my Brother Greg in Cincinnati a few times.  Now it goes without saying that there were many family get-togethers during that 8 week period, but I want to highlight my Mother Shirley, and my Brother Greg.  On November 1 and December 1 respectively, they both passed from this life to be with the Lord.

I miss them both, and I think of them every day.  I will take their images with me into eternity.

My Aunt Norma (Mother's Sister) and Mother at Greg's funeral in Lebanon.

My Mother & Jason Carrier, Greg's only offspring, who lives in Lakeland, FL.  A fine young man.

My Parents, late '40s I'm told.

And my handsome younger Brother Greg, during his Army days.

During and after that 8-week period, we did manage to get some quality time in with our daughters and their children.  Apple-picking is always a perennial affair enjoyed by all.

And we always seem to get all the help we need to carry in the harvest!

That harvesting can take a lot out of you.  Time for a little ride and relaxation in a cow train.

Giddyup, whatever you are....

After supper back at the camper, time for a little lovin' around the campfire.

And the next day found us driving up on the Skyline Drive, and lunch at Skyland.  Of course some of us had to burn some of those calories playing on the rocks & leaves of autumn.

We never tire of the aesthetics of the Appalachians.

Yours truly taking in a tune being performed by a local folk singer.

A leisurely stroll on one of the trails close by Skyland.  Austin, Jennifer & her husband, Pete. 

Now, it's nighty-night time in the camper.  And that about wraps up this blog time as well.  I am doing this blog on February 19.  Obviously, I have been lazy and pre-occupied over the past 3 months.  I have lots to share and show over the next few blog entries as I get caught up.  Please excuse my tardiness in posting our life events as we prepare for our 2013 journey.  Till then, Joe & Nancy, the RVing Beach Bums, currently in Bushnell, FL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Family Reunion 2012, Oregonia, OH

So, after the drive down from Van Wert Wally World Friday morning, we pulled into my sisters country hollow home in Oregonia, OH.  Where the heck is this place?

From Wiki:  Really?  Wiki has this place in their database?  I'm impressed!  Oregonia is an unincorporated community in northwestern Washington Township, Warren County, on the east shore of the Little Miami River about five miles northeast of Lebanon and six miles south of Waynesville.  Roughly, half way between Cincinnati & Dayton.  My Mother is sitting in the middle in the turquoise slacks.  She'll be 82 on her next birthday. 

Now, the "family" for these reunions include for the most part, members from the Clans of Biggs and Carriers, with the usual amount of marriages and offsprings from other clans.  Members traveled from Tennessee, North Carolina, Lousiana (I think), Wisconsin, Virginia, and perhaps other locations as well.

 And this the Matriarch of the Carrier Clan, Shirley Kilburn, my Mother and below, my Brother Greg sneaking a photo-op with her.

 Seems like each time we come to the reunion, there are more kids, some I don't even know or have seen before.  That's ok though, because that's whats reunions are all about:  Getting aquainted & re-aquainted with new and old friends and family.

 Kacy, my niece thinks she can catch her Uncles' curve ball (with a softball) (HA!).  Check out what happens when you can't get get your glove (Kacy, the glove is what you catch the ball with, not your shin) down quick enough.  Ouch!  A little bump & bruise.  Sorry Kacy.  I'll throw it underhanded from now on.

 There was a lot introducing and socializing going on for the first couple of hours.

 And all that can be tiring, so relaxing and enjoying the shade of the many trees in the huge yard was a welcome event from the sun, hot & humid July afternoon.

 And the kids seem to never run out of energy. 

 Typical female, trying to find the accelerator to get this thing going fast.

Now see, the boys like a much easier, slower pace, even if Pop Pop is supplying the go-power!

 "Big Brother, do we know these people?"

 Cousins Mason & Alexandra (Ali) congratulating each other for going down the slide together, without breaking heads.  Maxwell & Austin are cheering them on.  Max is going down backwards.  Ham!  Look Grandma, aren't we cute?  Take our picture.

 Auntie Brenda, I can go on this ladder. I do it all the time at home.

 Big boys playing cornhole, and little boys playing with a train set in the basement.

 Someone celebrated a birthday during the afternoon's events.  Not sure who, but I think it was Alena.

 I can just taste that cake.

 Natalie, my younger daughter, Austin, and Max, my grandsons, as is Mason, and Ali, the other grand daughter.

 The kids had a ball riding the trykes down the grade of the driveway.  And no one had a tumble.

 Cornhole game...

 And a little "how's it going these days" chat among family...

 Relaxing under the shade of the second floor deck above.

 Birthday party, and some serious refueling for the older folks.

 Below, Nancy, Joe, Debbie, Dawn, Lil' Walt, & Tabitha, barely.  Above, Holly, Mandy, Tabitha (white shorts) Brenda

 Evil Kneivals on their trykes...

 Where are the brakes on this thing?

 Juicing can get one disqualified...:))

 Nancy & Omani discussing how to solve world hunger...and even the girls want to be Evil Kneivals...

 Even Mason needs a little juice on a hot July afternoon...

 Walt, posing in front of Big John", his hemi-powered Farmall.  He takes it to shows & fairs throughout the local country.

So, on that note, I want to personally thank Walt & Debbie for hosting the umpteenth reunion at their beautiful country estate.  Can't remember how many this makes, but I think we have been doing these here since about 1990.  We will be here camped for several weeks, as we await our date at the Ryder Cup Golf Tourney in northwest Chicago, mid-September.  I hope I haven't bored too many folks here, but it really is a big deal, and it means so much the older we get to remenisce and be with family that hardly ever see or visit.  We'll be visiting different parks, museums, monuments and perhaps some small county fairs and old homesteads throughout the surrounding counties over the next few weeks.  So, till the next blog, Joe & Nancy just hangin'.