St. Patrick's Day - March 2012

What a great time we had celebrating St Patrick's Day. Are you green or orange Irish? I didn't know that there was a difference. I learned something new. I thought St Patrick's Day was really just a good reason to drink green beer.

Really, green beer! That HAS to be a made up holiday. Some guys who like beer decided to make their own holiday so they colored beer green and called it tradition. Seems to me that a lot of us like beer so we went along with it, now its a big deal! How cool is that?

Actually it turns out there is a whole lot more to the holiday than just green beer. Although I did arrive properly prepared. A necklace that holds my glass. Brilliant!

During the party Norm's camera suffered a meltdown. I wasn't aware that it was having a bad hair day. The fact still remained that the SD card in Norm's camera decided to go on vacation never to return and take all of the pictures with. Thus, unfortunately, all of the pictures taken with Norm's camera are not available. Brandie, one of Jule's friends, sent me a couple of pictures that they had taken.

So, since I have very few photos I will post what I have and beg for mercy from those that had their pictures taken only to learn now that they will not be featured on my blog this year. (Unless of course you could send me more pictures...)

This is Rick & Brandie. They are a blast, constantly laughing and cracking jokes. Brandie gave me a whole glass of her beer, what a sweetheart!
Rick is somewhat vertically challenged like me (although I don't think he knows that) and he gave me some great advice. If someone makes light of your height limitations, tell them to trim their nose hair.

I am thinking of just finding someone shorter than me and making them my posse. Then I'd just be cool like everyone else that hires little people to be included in their entourage.

We had the party at Stacy & Jeff's house. I'm worried that since I don't have any pictures of our hosts that I won't get invited back. Norm told me I deserved to be excluded after telling everyone that I would make them famous on my blog.

I am so embarrassed...I forgot to tell everyone that being on my blog DOES make you famous! Being mentioned on my blog automatically builds your street cred! Seriously! But I digress. Here are some more of the peeps we were hanging with for St Patty's Day.

This is Dianne. See, she knew her cred would skyrocket. Although she already had quite a bit to start.
Not pictured is Dianne's husband Dave. He has a TON of cred too. Rick said its crud, not cred, and Dave should wipe his shoes before coming in the house. I just stayed out of that debate.

Jules and Norm.

Naturally, no matter what I do or how much Norm & I hang out together, there is NO WAY to get street cred dressing the way he does. You WILL get a rep, but no cred...

What can I say?

This is Joe & Joanne.

More beer, thanks Joanne!

Like Norm, no cred here. Nice couple, but a tad strange, like Norm.

Unfortunately, that is it for pictures. This is where I have to apologize to Sondra, Kathy, Sean, Barb, Jeff & Stacy and their favorite nephews. However, if someone else from the party wants to send me pictures that they took I could include them.

I should mention that whoever invented St. Patrick's Day and the green beer did real good. But the people that decided to add corned beef & cabbage to the tradition hit it out of the park! THANK-YOU!!

Looking forward to spring and getting back out camping.

Later,

Travis

Lorraine's 79th Birthday - March 2012

Jules and her sisters decided that their mom, Lorraine, needed a big birthday bash this time around since she was celebrating her 79th birthday in March.



Lorraine & I



Normally family birthdays are somewhat smaller gatherings with maybe a dinner or a cake and a few gifts. This year was different, it had to be a big party. I won't go into details but suffice it to say that Lorraine is not a snow bird.

Owww, ok, quit twisting my arm, alright I'll tell, she moved to Florida for a while. There does that make you happy, you got it out of me. I thought it sounded better with a little mystery.  Jeepers, can't a guy have a little fun?

This is Lorraine's sister Rose and me with Lorraine.

These two girls just sat and talked all day long. I thought I talked a lot. Ha!! The only time that they stopped talking to one another was when we had cake.

One thing that I always enjoy about gatherings with Jules and her family is the food! Naturally seeing family is a great treat, but the fact that they BRING treats too.... You can't beat family like that!

I don't think I have introduced everyone from Jules family.
At least not all in the same picture.

Of course Heath and I had to muscle in on the shot and Jules' oldest sister, Jan is in Florida, but you get the idea.

This is Joan, Jean, Jules & Jackie.

Then there are husbands to mess up shots of the good looking sisters.

This is Michael & Jackie.

Larry & Joan

Steve & Jean

And Jules & Norm.

Then there is the rest of the family. Considering how many times I had my picture taken with everyone I should probably wear sunglasses like the Hollywood types do.



KC & Heath







Norm 3 & Liz

Eric & Amber



  

Jenna & George

 



 




Greg, Cathy & Angela

 

 



Steve & Leah

 





Leah's parents, Chris & George



Shyla & Avery





Dan





Brock & me of course



Kyle & Kate (aka KC)





Bailey & I



When I told Bailey we should get a picture he seemed a bit put off for some reason. I really didn't understand why though. It wasn't like I needed a breath mint more than he did and I certainly didn't tell him he needed one!

This picture is one of those that will go down in family lore. Lorraine with some of her grandchildren & great grandkids. From left; Shyla & Avery; Steve & Elinore; Joni with Brock & Heath; Amber with her baby who was still cooking at the time. She didn't want to be in the picture but we wouldn't let her sit out.

One thing that bugs me though is why Lorraine likes Norm. I thought mother-in-laws are suppose to dislike son-in-laws and vice-verse. But Norm likes Lorraine too. I can see why Norm likes Lorraine, she is a very nice and kind person, unlike Norm. I don't get it.

Well, that wraps up the big birthday bash. We had a lot of fun and got to visit with family. Nobody got into too much mischief and it would be very detrimental for me to comment about some of the happenings. I would like to be invited back so I have to keep quiet about SOME things.

Besides, those family members that missed the party...Maybe not getting all the skinny will get them to attend the next family party.

See you then,
Travis