That's a whole lot of cousins

On Saturday morning I headed out to Cousin Jim and his wife Susan’s place on the lake, about 13 miles from the Grand Mille Lac Casino and Hotel (Minnesota) where I was staying.  They had offered up their beautiful vacation home and were hosts for the reunion (thank you, thank you, thank you). 

This is Jim and Susan's home.  It's like a duplex, with two sides.  They own both.  Jim told me they had purchased both sides so he didn't need to worry about whether he liked the neighbors or that they didn't like him.  I laughed out loud.  Jim is semi-retired, and was a McDonald's man.  There are lots of things McDonald's, including a couple of outfits the youngsters were wearing that were pretty cute.

Susan and Jim ... wonderful hosts.

As I turned onto the highway leading to their place, I spotted a roadside stand with tomatoes.  Hmmmmm.  Cousin Kate had mentioned tomatoes the evening before, but I didn’t want to duplicate so didn’t stop. 

When I arrived at Jim and Susan’s I asked about tomatoes.  Back I went to get some of the most beautiful red-ripe tomatoes.  I had the young man at the stand pick them out for me, telling him they were for a family reunion just down the road so they needed to be ripe. 

Look at all those beautiful tomatoes.  And they were tasty, too.

Where do I start?  Hectic, chaotic, noisy … but utterly, wonderfully, absolutely delightful.  I HAVE FAMILY.  (Yes, my bikers and friends are family, but this is different, and something I am so grateful to have again.)  I have random photos to post of the 200 that I took just on Saturday. 

From left, Cousin Janie and Aunt Beryl.

Cousin Stephany and one of her grandbabies.

Zion.  A third cousin?  I don't know.



Uncle Mike and Aunt Beryl's son and his daughter maybe?

This whole reunion topic started after I reconnected with my Cousin Kate.  She asked if there were a cousin reunion would I come?  I said, “Sure,” never dreaming it would happen.  This conversation was probably two years ago.  Well, guess what.  It was happening and of course, I had to go.  I’m so very glad it did and I came.

We registered, got our name tags and our Bogan Family Reunion cup.

Uncle Mike getting registered.

There was a total of 104 family members … cousins and their families … who came.  There is one uncle left, Uncle Mike, of the 14 siblings (my dad and he were brothers).  There is his wife, Aunt Beryl, and Aunt Helen, who I adore.  She and her husband, Louis (another of my dad’s brothers), have been so nice to me over the years.  Helen has kept me kind of “in the loop” by sending cards at Christmas, and a few other notes here and there. 

How's that for a group of family?  Wow!!!  It was awesome!!!

All I know about this family is there re a lot of beautiful people.

Nothing but smiles on this gorgeous reunion day.

Terry (left) and I had to discuss cameras.  Most everyone at the reunion was shooting Canon.

Todd and what appears to be an unhappy baby.   

There's always time for a little shoulder massage, isn't there, KB? 

These two came to the party to read the newspaper.  Haha. 

Helen now reminds me of my mom with her pure-white, iridescent hair, that sparkled and shimmered in the sunlight giving her the look of a halo around her head.  She’s got piercing blue eyes that don’t miss a thing and are constantly looking around at kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, and those of us not in her branch of the family.  Oh, how I loved making eye contact with her.  She is as sharp as can be although a bit hard of hearing.  But we had the most wonderful visit … I truly love this woman.

Helen and two of her daughters, Chris and Janie (from left).



There is so much love in this photo with Aunt Helen.

We even had Aunt Helen dancing.

Reconnecting with cousins I knew, as well as those I did not know, or those who weren’t even a consideration when I last saw anyone in 1994, was so much fun.  I’m not sure how that works … first, second, third cousins??? 

The kids had  great time on the golf carts.

This young man was enjoying his meal, and it just seemed like the right shot.

There was a photo wall of baby photos ... it received a lot of attention.

My favorite baby photo.

I even enjoyed being around the youngsters and the babies … James was quite the little man and wanted to see the pictures on my camera.  He’s got lashes most of us ladies would give a right arm to have.  He’s going to be quite the handsome one. 

This little guy, James, is so cute. 

Notice the McDonald's outfit on the youngster.

These young ladies were happy to pose for me ... what a nice photo.

And there's always room for one more bike shot, right, John?

I fell in love with my family all over again.  It had been many years since I’d seen some of them (Louis and Helen’s family), as in 1994 when Biker Bill, his friend Bob and I were through Grand Forks, North Dakota, heading to Sturgis.  We gave rides to some and I had brought some of those photos with me to the reunion.

Prior to that I’d only seen some at a family reunion at least 30 years ago.  I cannot say enough about these people.  They are beautiful, caring, compassionate, and wonderful.  Yep, I’m sure there are some dynamics, but isn’t that the same in all families?  I know we have it in our biker family, but I wouldn’t trade those I consider friends and family in that group either.

This appears to be taken at the family reunion I went to 30-plus years ago.

Chris and I re-enacted the old photo, and still used the same thumbs.  Same girls, a few years older, but better, definitely.

Food covered the pool table, the stove, the counter and the dining room table.  There was more than enough to feed the hungry mouths, from chips, dips and snacks to barbecued beef, pulled pork, shredded chicken, vegetables, a hundred ears of corn on the cob, baked beans, fresh tomatoes, a half-a-dozen (awesome all) salads … pasta, kale, coleslaw and more … homemade cookies, sticky buns. 

That's a lotta corn.

And the crowning glory of desserts and raved about by all … homemade cheesecake (both vanilla and chocolate) made by my Cousin Bill who has a restaurant in Hawaii.  It’s his signature cheesecake … and truly a melt-in-your-mouth experience.  My mouth is watering right now just thinking about it.  There were two sauces, fruit and chocolate, and I was in heaven while I was eating it. 

I got a photo of the sauces for the cheesecakes.  I was too late to get a photo of the cakes themselves.  I was lucky to get a piece at all ... word travels fast and it disappears quickly when these cheesecakes appear.  Bill, you outdid yourself. 

There were jet skis, and a pontoon boat that Cousin Jim took the “oldies” out on … it was great as we cruised around part of the lake looking at the homes and other folks who were on jet skis, waterskiing, swimming. 

The pontoon boat ride was relaxing and so much fun.  James was asleep next to grandpa.

We were pulling a couple of the little ones on a big float, and they fell off a couple of times.  The little boy was helpful in getting the young girl back onto the float … such a little gentleman and so young.  What a great day.  While I was sorry to see it end, I was exhausted. 

At first I thought he was pulling her onto the float by her ears, but really only by her head.  Too funny.

 

My Cousin Stephany’s husband, Todd, had ridden their bike out so we rode back from the lake a ways together.  What a thrill to be riding with family. 

Todd and me ... ready to ride.

My thanks goes out to everyone who worked to make this happen and who came.  It was one of the best experiences.  My Cousin Kate is the one who I had spoken with originally, and she is now a special angel in my mind.  She travels a lot, but I so want to meet up with her again.

Currently, there’s an e-mail on the table about doing this again in five years.  I intend to be there … and hopefully it will be on the bike.