The star of the party!

Imagine multi-color balloons, streamers and party decorations.  Imagine all sorts of dishes:  cheesy potatos, green bean casserole, baked beans, ham, chicken, cauliflower-broccoli salad, fruit salad, brownies.  And a beautifully-decorated cake sitting over there in the corner frosted with Congratulations to the High School graduate.

That was our afternoon.  There are still at least two dozen vehicles parked across the street with many friends and family honoring our family’s latest high school graduate.  We’ve spent the last few hours chatting and laughing and re-connecting with loved ones, acquaintances an distant friends. 

Another successful outdoor party, thanks in a large degree to the beautiful sunshine and clear skies.

My brother Scot and son Doug (they gave permission to use their names)

This is feeling a little like a family scrapbook.  And, unfortunately, I didn’t get photos of all the family members.  But here are some of the family members.  The following photo is not a family member.  (at least I don’t think…)  But he’s such an acrobatic fellow he deserves some applause!

Look at that mid-air flip!

It was a delight to spend time with my parents, brothers and families this week.  We’re already making plans for a visit next Christmas.  It’s been years and years since we’ve ventured south from snow country in December, so it will be a special holiday, indeed.

Family members (my mom and dad are in the back)

I would share names and relationships with you, but I don’t have explicit permission for Internet introduction, so you can just see their smiling faces.

Now the car is mostly packed, the suitcase sits ready at the door and the blog is written.  The compass points back north toward the Upper Peninsula.  My good friend Catherine will be waiting near a Sunoco station in Unionville at 6 p.m. and we’ll ride together back up to the cottage at Bellaire.  She, interestingly enough, has relatives there and left her car while traveling with them to another graduation party on the opposite side of the state.  Then other relatives drove her over here to the Thumb.  We’ll keep each other awake on our three hour trip back toward the woods…