A Wonderful, Double Family Surprise

I have a pretty wonderful family on Dad's side. (I do on Mom's side as well, but though they are wonderful as well, they are not the subject of this post.) We are much blessed by having two of his sibling's families living in Toledo.


I come to write about this because of the time we were able to enjoy with one of them a few months ago. (We were able to spend time with the other Toledo family then too, but though we enjoyed that as well, they are not really the subject of this post either.) My talented cousin Kayla planned a surprise party for my Uncle Rich's 50th birthday. Seeing family and celebrating a birthday - in my family, that means lots of fun, abundant good food, and many picture-taking opportunities.


It was held at the home of Uncle Rich's brother, which Kayla and her cousin Katie did a beautiful job of decorating. The rest of their immediate families had gone to a restaurant for supper.

After my cousin Jared texted the girls that they were on the way home, the family and friends who were able to come before 7 scattered about in closets, behind counters, around the doorway, in the bathroom.

I was behind the counters in the kitchen, posed with my camera, opposite Katie with Kayla's, which is exactly the same as mine. (However, when she asked me to take some pictures for her, I noticed that hers zooms more smoothly. This does not surprise anyone.)

The garage door opened-it was only Katie's mom. They should be here soon, she said.

We heard them and prepared. The door opened, and Jared came in, whistling. Kristen, hiding in the bathroom with the boys, yelled, "Happy Birthday!" I thought she had jumped the gun and jumped out at Jared. Then, I saw Uncle Rich's startled face and realized he was here. I quickly attempted to capture it, but the camera didn't focus immediately.

Though I missed his first look, you can get an idea from what I did get. It was a successful surprise. From experience, I know that it is gratifying!

But, there was more, as you may be wondering about from the title if you don't know the story. Aunt Lisa came in behind Uncle Rich, and as he greeted people, she turned and saw the room opposite the kitchen.

You see, though I had never finished this post, I decided to to so now, for today is their 25th anniversary, and midst all the preparation for the birthday party, Kayla had had another surprise prepared. I just missed Aunt Lisa's reaction at the sight of the room next to the kitchen. She was very surprised.

"Did you know about this?" she asked Uncle Rich.

"Yeah," he said.

This caused many gales of laughter.

One of Kayla's friends made a lovely cake for their anniversary, and there were four different kinds of pie, one of Uncle Rich's favorites. Being out of season, pumpkin was unavailable, so I made some pumpkin pies. Due to the amount of pie dough, I decided to make three, though Aunt Lisa just asked for two. This was a good thing, because the extra pie ended up being an upside down pumpkin pie.

A 50 candle was stuck into an upright pumpkin pie and we sang to Uncle Rich. Then we went to the other room to cut the cake. We sang Happy Anniversary for fun, and teased Uncle Rich and Aunt Lisa about feeding each other the cake. Aunt Lisa protested that if they hadn't done it at the wedding, they weren't going to now. Then Uncle Rich thought he needed to intertwine their arms while doing it, and Aunt Lisa laughed so hard she couldn't continue. For her sake, I shall refrain from posting pictures.

It was fun to see our cousins, and get pictures like we hadn't in a long time.

The opening of the gifts was a fun time. The best part was when Uncle Rich pulled out the familiar-looking envelope. Aunt Lisa recognized it and got excited. Uncle Rich opened it and pulled out-himself.

His attempt to imitate himself was quite amusing.

I like how it looks from behind with the light shining through it.

A Day at the Fair

"It's been a long time since you posted on your blog," my friend said.

"I know."

It's been a long time since that conversation, and when I looked over my blog today, I discovered I hadn't posted at all last month, the first month I've missed since I started the blog. (Going on a year ago!) I've been wanting to do this post for a week and a half since I took the pictures which we will eventually get to.

Since I was two weeks old, I have been going to the Fulton County Fair every year without fail. For a number of years-eight, I believe, crazy as it seems-I have been entering things in it. In the past several years, a growing number of people in our circles have been discovering this, the best fair. (Okay, the best I've ever been to. Out of four or five. But it's a good one anyway.) We have taken different people around, and it has made this fun fair funner.

(I know, grammar police. I did it on purpose. Yes, I realize funner isn't a word. No, I don't care. Yes, I am a grammar guru. However, language changes. Yes, sometimes it isn't for the better. In this case, I would say it would be. Okay, end of digression. It's your fault, Aunt T.)

All that to introduce a mostly-picture post. Labor Day has become our big day at the fair, as our church plays at the Gospel tent in the evening, so many people come during the day. (Seriously, why wouldn't you?)

I didn't enter as much as usual this year and even considered not entering. It is much more interesting to go when you know people who entered things. Or are one.

Or if you are entered, as I was. I even got first place.

So, I guess you could say Melody and I both got first place. It was my only picture to do so.

I took a picture of the gator place for Aunt Mel.

Exciting times at the fair, right?

At lunchtime, we ate under the red tent. The coloring here was really odd for taking pictures.

I couldn't quite get it right. 

Mercy dubbing Sir Moist Von Schwartzdinger, the future doctor

Not a the best picture, I know, but I find it fascinating for some reason.

We watched a horse competition. We liked the green girl.

I like this picture-the strong lines and his look make it interesting, though it is a bit overexposed.

Yes, this is a sort of boring photo, subject and composition, but the exposure is spot-on, and so the subject so normal it's unusual, so I like it.

I took few pictures this fair day, I thought. But that was about to change. Around six we headed to the gospel tent, where people were already beginning to mill about. Melody got her hands on one of the cutest little guys we know, and the camera came out.

Once again, we were under the red tent and the color was weird.

Another little guy who was absolutely adorable with his ready grin.

By the way, if you've never tickled this little guy until he belly-laughed (it's not difficult), you are missing out.

With all these lovely people, there were so many opportunities...

I like the contrast in this one, between the older girl and the little girl, and between their focus on each other and the busy background.

The coloring almost adds to the interesting look on this baby, I think.

His toothy little grin is catching.

Contrast between daylight (above) and fluorescent light settings.

I couldn't decide which one I liked best.

So I did all three.

I turned from the tent, and some boys playing in the dusty gravel beside it caught my eye. With the sun low in the sky, lighting the scene, I could have spent hours snapping away.

I enjoyed taking pictures of the boys, though they pretend they don't want their picture taken, especially Wolfgang. He runs away, but soon he's back, posing for me, before he runs off again.

The picture is blurry, but the face so sweet I had to share.

So funny!

And this has got to be one of the most adorable pictures...I can't get over how much I love it.

There were a lot of pictures I liked of my buddy here. A flag hanging from a tall part of a tractor fascinated him and allowed me to get some interesting faces.

Katie was being shy and ran away when she saw me taking her picture, but when she went to her dad, I got this one, which I really like the concept of, though I'd like to take it better.

This one makes me chuckle.

Pointing out the flag

The sun and dust just made such cool pictures!

As everyone knows,

this kid is adorable.

He doesn't take a bad picture, either.

Spinning around one of the tent poles provided much amusement.

I wish I could have arranged this picture better, but he moved immediately afterwards. Still,the policemen and the little onlooker provide an interesting contrast.

Eloise found it quite funny that I would take their pictures as they spun around the pole, and her merriment was quite evident in her bright eyes, resulting in a sweet picture when I captured it.

This is amusingly similar to another picture I took of him at the camping trip.

Another pole, with different lighting, and this time it was even more difficult to get a picture that was properly focused.

This sweet little boy was one of the few camera-shy, but I love the look and lighting in this photograph.

The sunlight is cool...

And so are silhouettes...

Don't take my picture!

Take my picture!!!

Can I see it?

Take another one.

Cheese!

Back out in the daylight, I return to my first subject.

He's so cute, there are lots of pictures and they're hard to eliminate.

Can't resist a toothy smile!

However, he wasn't thrilled with sitting in the big wheel.

He refused to sit by himself (and I was afraid he would fall anyway), but with a little distraction we got a big smile with Melody.

Focusing was iffy as I made him smile, but the pictures were sweet.

Once again, the contrast, between happy and not, big and little. Unfortunately bad color.

Then I took some pretty girls.

(Oh, and the band. They're not included.)

I like the idea of this photo.

Looks like it's almost time to head for home. The light remained good much longer than I had expected.

Even though it's blurry, I like this picture.

And even though it's out of focus, I like this picture. I wish he had stayed just a moment longer!

Sweet smiles elicited by fanning from big brother.

Getting too dark to take pictures under the tent, the concert over, and people heading different ways...and I forgot I must go pick up the first show of flowers' stuff. So I put my camera away, and it went home with Amy.

It had been another fun day at the fair.