Family and the Fourth

The week of July fourth found us hosting family. Our 2 bedroom/1 bath house was squeezed to the max but boy, did we all have a good time. Matt's Mom and Dad came down from Bismarck, North Dakota and met up with Matt's sister Betsy and her husband, Ashish, and daughter, Mikayla, in Jamestown and all drove down. Because of G's (Matt's Dad) health they took their time and got here in two days. Matt's sister Debbie and her husband Ike and daughter Medora came down two days later from the D.C. area. I had thoughts of really entertaining my new family and getting to know each of them more, but by God's providence I got a job 2 week before they came to town! (More on the job later!)

Matt got to show them around our charming small town and they took some trips into the city to visit museums and shop! The fourth of July was celebrated in style! Mom Guenther got all the girls patriotic t-shirts that we sported all day -first to the watch the Reds play the Giants and well lose. Later we grilled burgers and hot dogs and the best corn on the cob you've ever tasted.



Speaking of food, every night was a culinary thrill. My own sweetheart is an expert griller but the boy can cook too! He made us his stewed chicken and macaroni and cheese dish. Ashish made us THREE yummy Indian dishes one evening for dinner and Ike, with his secret spice that I'm sure he's got patented by now, made a yummy stoplight shrimp stew. No kidding, I gained 5 pounds by the end of the week. Did I tell you that Mom Guenther made her famous carmel rolls too? These rolls just melt in your mouth like cotton candy but with more substance. M-m-m! Now that's what a working woman like to come home to! We really enjoyed our family's company and felt their absence when they left at the end of the week. The house was too quiet without the girls (Mikayla, Medora, Keri, Wonder and sometimes Jr.) playing on the computer or running through the house. No more card games around our table (pinochle, gin rummy, progressive rummy, etc.) after dinner. Come back soon you all! We really enjoyed your company!
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There's "G" winning at Royal Rummy again.









Mikayla and Medora with the heart pillow.







The Reds didn't win but mother nature did, sending us all home with a fierce mid-afternoon T-storm complete with awesome lightening.