This year's trip to Nebraska was timed for the Wallace Family Reunion, my Dad's side of the family. Ron and I chose to try flying this year. We did the math and figured flying would save us about 30 hours of driving. Though 10 hours of driving were still required, to and from airports, it was a significant savings. Besides the obvious time savings, it saved a lot of wear and tear on us.
We flew out of Phoenix Mesa-Gateway Airport (no, that's not our limo)
via Allegiant Airlines. I know it's cheesy, but I still find it a thrill to walk the gangplank to get into the plane.
We flew into the Central Nebraska Regional Airport in Grand Island, where we enjoyed this historical overview.
A rental car provided us the means to drive the hour and a half to Scott's home in Sumner.
Brother Mike and wife Karen were able to come this year, and brought their four grandboys, ages 8-13. They arrived the next evening, so that day we spent helping Scott with some last-minute preparations to the house(s), grocery shopping, and visiting, of course. Scott owns another house across the alley from his house. He's currently using it as storage, and was able to clean a bedroom and the bathroom for use by Mike's family. Ron and I stayed in Scott's house. Scott is doing a major renovation to his house, and it will be a beauty when it's finished.
The four grandboys were a pleasure. They were consistently well-behaved. We walked the four short blocks the park the next morning, and they delighted in the simple playground equipment.
Mike and Karen's dogs Puggles and Zoey enjoyed the park, too.
Ron visited with this stereotypical retired farmer who was in charge of park maintenance.
Sammy played with this water pump in the park.
Jonathan found the gymnastic rings a blast.
Scott hung his hammock in the yard, and the boys all spent time laying and playing. Here's Angel enjoying some lounging time.
Nicholas at 13 found his niche when Scott turned him loose on a riding mower.
He found this living ornament in Scott's yard.
Scott's pergola in the back yard is a perfect venue for visiting.
With nine people to feed, I found taking charge of the kitchen right up my organizational alley. The boys were not only willing helpers when asked, they asked to help. Jonathan and Sammy helped with food prep in the kitchen; Angel and Jonathan each took turns helping Ron at the grill. Jonathan ended up doing the bulk of the prep for the 7-Layer Salad we took to the reunion, and was deservedly proud of his creation.
Our Uncle Dwane, Mom's brother, lives a 10-minute walk from Scott in Sumner. He invited Mike and the boys over for some gardening work, and once again, they delighted in everything. Dwane showed them the difference between garden plants and weeds, and they got plenty of practice weed-pulling. Nicholas once again found rapture with Dwane's riding mower. Dwane generously shared plenty of lettuce from his garden, and it was the basis for the above-mentioned 7-Layer Salad.
Dwane was growing a beard for a local contest. We all agreed it gave him a Santa Claus look. He and Mike struck this family-resemblance pose.
The day of the reunion arrived. Cousin Deb did a wonderful job organizing the event at a local park in Kearney. She arranged for delicious smoked pork from a caterer, and potluck was provided by participants. She and her husband brought several yard games, which young and not-as-young enjoyed throughout the day.
Our grandparents lived in a sod house in a local area called Buzzard's Roost. Deb had this terrific banner made with the amusing nod to our family history.
Here's Deb during one of the few moments she sat down.
My only photo with all of Dad's sibilings:
Jim is in the red t-shirt on the left, Chuck in the gray t-shirt in the center, Norma beside Chuck, and Ruth in the gold t-shirt on the right.
Here's a close up of Ruth and Norma
and a picture of Dad..can you see another family resemblance?
We had decided that this year families could wear the same colored t-shirts. Ron and I worked on a really nice design for our t-shirts that said "Bob's Branch" and had the lion from the Wallace Family Crest. Unfortunately the black I chose for the design, which showed up nicely on the computer, didn't show up at all on the t-shirts. Oh, well; the purple still looked good!
The days passed quickly, and before we knew it, it was time to say goodbye.
"I still can't shake the Nebraska off of me."
-----Andrew Rannells
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