Mom's Family Weekend 2008

This year was Richard and Jill's year to host the gathering. We all met at Franklin D Roosevelt State Park, near Columbus, GA. Diane and I were the last to arrive on Friday night, but there was still plenty of barbecued pork and all the fixin's for us to have a late dinner.

Seems like we're always missing one person, and this year that would be Kiki. Hopefully next year we'll be at 100 percent! Oh yeah, the last night we were there the area finally got some rain - along with wind and thunder. Lightning struck a tree right outside Mom & Dad's cabin and it fell and demolished the very deck we were standing on in the shot below!

Front, from L-R Jill, Jaiden (seated), Melissa, Leslie, Mom, Hannah, Beth, & Diane.
Rear, L-R: Richard, Dan, Dad, Don, David

Stay Connected... Dan brought along his Apple laptop for the weekend. He set it up on the side table of the living room and that's pretty much where he remained for the duration - playing World Of Warfare with his virtual family. It was a godsend on Saturday night, though. Since there was no TV, the family gathered 'round the 'puter and watched a feature film together.	The New Do Melissa is excited about her new hairstyle. And it does look cute! It seems to shout, "I'm a free spirit! Free at last from the tyranny of the curling iron!"
There's Art, and then there's Body Art Hannah displays the work of art that is her back. Yes, it's a tree, but it's much more. Between the time I took the picture and the moment I've typed it, I can't remember all of the symbolism. But I can tell you that if I had spent the hours and the money to have my entire back covered with a picture of something, it sure better have a lifetime of meaning! :-)	Cuties Leslie and Hannah pose for the camera. This was taken at around 3am, after our last game of hearts on the back porch of our cabin. Diane isn't in the picture since she's taking the shot. I'm not in the picture because I went to bed at 2:30am so that I could be ready for golf the next morning with Richard, Dad, and Leslie.
Smells Like New Hannah sits behind the wheel of her "new" 1990-something Beamer. Non-pretentious boxy look, mysterious black exterior, comfortable leather interior, and do-it-yourself manual transmission. Which, by the way, Hannah had never messed with until she tried unsuccessfully to drive the car home. Don drove it down to the state park for her and while there, Hannah got in some much needed driving practice. By the time Sunday morning rolled around, she was ready to drive it all the way home.	The New, New Do Remember that new hairstyle of Melissa's? Well it wasn't quite everything she had hoped it would be. She tapped Diane and Hannah to help her refine it to perfection. Here Hannah checks the sides and Diane keeps an eye on the door for intruders.
The Zoo! Betcha didn't know there was a zoo right outside of Columbus, did you? I sure didn't. While the foursome played our round of golf, the rest of the crew minus Dan went to see the exotic animals. Jaiden looks out the window as a goat checks out his next meal ticket.	Slobbery Kisser This giraffe came in through the bus window to grab a snack from Melissa's hand. It was such a special moment, Melissa must be thinking that she'll never wash that hand again.
Come And Get It Diane tricks the buffalo into thinking that she has food for it. When it reaches up to swallow, she substitutes a kiss instead. Fools them every time.	My Oh My.. This buffalo apparently wasn't interested in the food at all. It gives Diane the tongue instead. And I believe if the regulations would permit, we would have a buffalo in our back yard right now.
Meet Me Half Way Mom reaches over the fence to give the poor camel a little something.	OK, I'll Meet You, Then Beth goes the extra mile to make sure that the littlest animals get their share of the goodies. She's a hair away from an unplanned debarkment in this picture.
So Cute. So What? Jaiden is looking the part of the angry tiger. Or, at least, the impatiently hungry, grumpy tiger with a lot of sun in her eyes. Behind her is the behind of her mom, Melissa.	Still Remember How To Do It Mom and Dad do a little suck face while we're posing for family pictures. Love to see it. Never get enough of it. Honey. Sugar. Sweetie. Mom.