A family gathering

We were able to have a good visit with Joanne's brother and his family, from Minnesota, last week. First, her nephew, Mark, along with his wife, Wendy, and his kids, Zack and Lexie, arrived on Wednesday, April 23. Jo's brother, Roger, arrived on Thursday, April 24, along with his wife, Marilyn, and daughter, Heather. During their time here we had several meals out together and they also made a trip down to Texas to take in a Texas Rangers/Minnesota Twins baseball game. We also had a cookout at our house on that Sunday evening, thanks to the large box of steaks that Mark brought with him. They all try to make it down to Oklahoma at least once per year to visit Jo's mom, who lives here in Oklahoma City. Additionally, Roger always has a list of things that need to be done around his mom's house waiting for him. The timing for this year's trip was so that Heather could compete in the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial Marathon Race. She ran the half-marathon this year.

During the several visits and dinners together we also got to visit with Joanne's niece, Carrie, and her family, who live here in the Oklahoma City area. If you've read my previous blogs along the way you will find that Carrie, John and little J.J. are very special to us and we throughly enjoying seeing them. In the picture here Joanne's mom, Mardell, is holding J.J. with Carrie and John looking on. Also in the picture are Zack and Lexie.

J.J., who turned one this past December, really took to Lexie, who is nearly four, and would jump at her, grab her around the neck and wrestle her to the ground. It has been decided that J.J. definitely prefers blonds.