One down, one to go

4 wheeler rides

tractor rides

pony rides

Chic's and Marian's family by blood and marriage--some where missing

cycle rides

games

Saunders clan by blood and marriage---count them if you can!  Some had already left! There may be some rebels in there who just came for the fun!

KIDS

The main event for the Saunders reunion took place July 4th.  As you can see there was activity everywhere you looked AND far and near there were little kids!! The food was great, the conversation was fun and the day was a BIG hit.
It was a bit of a whirlwind weekend.  Terry and I drove NW on Friday with the plan of staying at the campsite near Hankinson where there is a casino.  As we walked through the hall to register the stagnant smoke prompted Terry to ask if we really should stay there.  It was also a bit far from our destination for the afternoon.  SO we canceled our reservation and drove 23 more miles to Lidgerwood where we found a tiny grassy campsite right on the golf course.  For the two days the campgrounds was occupied by Terry and me!!!
After setting up camp we drove to the site of the Lee farm BUT one can not even find where the farm was.  No driveway, no old machine and no trace of where I grew up and had my character, mind and soul formed.  I realize that life moves fast and change is inevitable but still the memories and the sight of crops where I made my golf course or where Mom planted her flowers and garden took an emotional toll.  I usually roll out of bed around 6:00 or earlier but the next day I stepped out of the camper at 8:25!!
Before we visited our farm site we stopped and talked to Robert Lee, who now has the farm land.  That was fun.  His sister, from Chicago, was visiting and both of them had fond memories of Mom and Dad.  Robert lives 1/2+ mile from where our farm was.
In summary, it was a quick, interesting and emotional three days.
Terry and I continue in our effort to order, get things done and clear some things out that need to arrive at new homes!!  Last week John carted off thousands of baseball/football cards and yesterday Aaron did the same .  I would say 15000-20000 cards was reduced to maybe 50!  That is a good thing.  I hope Leo, Henry and Liam enjoy them.
I am just a bit nervous about my latest book order.  I got the "final" version of the hardcover book and made an order for some last Thursday.  It is a print on demand kind of book so they are printed after you order them!  I have yet to see an e-mail saying they have been shipped but I really need them by next Tuesday AM as we would like to leave for the Lee reunion on Tuesday afternoon.  We will see.  Way back in February our goal was to have them by the reunion and I would say we are CLOSE.  We did sell a dozen paperbacks last weekend.  I am now up to recovering 4% of my expenses, is there hope???  Of course my purpose was to write a book for the kids and grand kids but to recoup some expenses, that would be nice!
 Lisa Saunders Chambers wrote a book about her birth mother.  She and I traded books which was nice.  She did a wonderful job with her book and I am excited to read it.
As I type and sip my FP I can see the rain falling peacefully this morning.  No sun yet and I think it is predicted to arrive sometime this PM.
We are enjoying fresh raspberries.  Terry planted several plants last year and already this summer we have picked about 4 pints.  They are delicious.  Audrey and Ruby enjoy picking them a lot!
Enough for now.  The recycling needs to be put out and work is kind of calling!!!