Once again Grannie has outdone herself with another family birthday celebration. There are many birthdays in the family circle in October, but only one member of the family was at the table in Salt Lake City on Sunday, October 26, 2008. While we celebrated all the birthdays, we actually feted Stephen Randall Gates' birthday.
There was an especially large turn-out this month. There were thirteen family members present: Grannie and Granddad, Stephen and Steve, Paul and Kathie, Philip, Camille and Peter, Emily, and Merrick, Philip and Landen. Grannie put on the usual outstanding spread, the groaning board including: Imperial chicken, brown rice with dried apricots, a tasty acorn squash dish with prosciutto and maple flavoring, crowd pleasing seasoned green beans, a tossed green salad and bounteous orange rolls, with cherry chocolate pound cake and ice cream for dessert.
Following the meal, we adjourned to the sitting area, where Stephen favored us on the piano with three of his own compositions: Tim's Piece, and unnamed piece from about 1984, and a composition he composed when he first began dating Nancy. These were lovely and impressively played pieces, received with appreciative and lively applause. Then Granddad provided a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday" which we all sang to Stephen, followed by some gifts for Stephen. Serious visiting continued as various family members departed.
I acknowledge with gratitude the efforts that Grannie goes to, to keep family members connected and celebrated.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
The Lauper Ladies Luncheon
Saturday, October 18, was the annual Lauper Ladies Luncheon, hosted by Georgia Gates, mother grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, niece and in-law to those present. It was remarked that this may have been one of the best attended luncheons to date, with more than twenty-five ladies in attendance. Those present from our immediate line, were Georgia Gates, Kathie Kern, Liza Dailey, Emily Dailey, Robin Dailey, Merrick White and Landon Gates.
One of the primary functions of this gathering is to keep acquainted with one another, and to catch up on the various doings of family members. There are also some standard elements. We sing the Lauper Family Song, composed by Aunt Paulie Hutchings, and awards are given to people in various categories. Liza and Robin were recognized for the distance that they came from to attend, as well as Wilma Stocker and Karen Talbot. There were about six of us, including me, who were recognized for never having missed a Lauper Ladies Luncheon, and prizes were given to first time attendees.
Mom put on a great luncheon including a fluffy tuna salad, fresh fruit tray and a tossed green salad, with season bread and various garnishments. Desserts included brownie squares, lemon bar squares and banana cake with peanut butter frosting squares.
The afternoon concluded with family members reporting on their activities over the last year and much chatting and laughing.
We were all glad that this gathering exists and that we were able to attend. Our thanks to Mom/Grannie for putting this significant event together, keeping it going and being the superlative hostess.
One of the primary functions of this gathering is to keep acquainted with one another, and to catch up on the various doings of family members. There are also some standard elements. We sing the Lauper Family Song, composed by Aunt Paulie Hutchings, and awards are given to people in various categories. Liza and Robin were recognized for the distance that they came from to attend, as well as Wilma Stocker and Karen Talbot. There were about six of us, including me, who were recognized for never having missed a Lauper Ladies Luncheon, and prizes were given to first time attendees.
Mom put on a great luncheon including a fluffy tuna salad, fresh fruit tray and a tossed green salad, with season bread and various garnishments. Desserts included brownie squares, lemon bar squares and banana cake with peanut butter frosting squares.
The afternoon concluded with family members reporting on their activities over the last year and much chatting and laughing.
We were all glad that this gathering exists and that we were able to attend. Our thanks to Mom/Grannie for putting this significant event together, keeping it going and being the superlative hostess.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Quiet on the Homefront
The Kern children have been leaving home off and on since 1999 when Philip left for BYU. Since then we have had children coming and going steadily. All three boys have served missions and have been away for two years at a time. And all three boys have gone away to college. Additionally, Philip has been married since March of 2007. This summer at one time or another the other children were at home. Erika hadn't really left, Peter returned from his mission in Montreal in June, and K.C. returned home following his graduation from college which was on August 15th. Then Peter left the last week in August to return to Provo for his sophomore year at BYU, and Erika left September 4 to go to Rexburg, Idaho to attend BYU-I. K.C. left on October 10th for his new life in San Francisco as an employee of Accenture. And now Dad and I are the exclusive residents of the domaine.
Dad left on Wednesday evening to take the Salt Lake Express Shuttle to Idaho Falls. He is ferrying Grandpa and Grandma back to Loveland, Colorado in their car on Thursday and Friday and Sunday morning he will take the train back to Salt Lake City. In the meantime, I am feeding the horses and am the sole occupant of our Oak Valley residence.
Dad left on Wednesday evening to take the Salt Lake Express Shuttle to Idaho Falls. He is ferrying Grandpa and Grandma back to Loveland, Colorado in their car on Thursday and Friday and Sunday morning he will take the train back to Salt Lake City. In the meantime, I am feeding the horses and am the sole occupant of our Oak Valley residence.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
