Vacation, Day 3: Sidney, Montana

Day 3 was Grandma's 95th birthday. Easy to remember as we were out there for her 90th five years ago. We celebrated at the same place, the Elk's Lodge, where my grandpa was a member. I don't know if Dad was a member (of the Elk's). I know he was a DeMolay boy. I know because Grandma always say, "Johnny was s DeMolay boy." I don't know what his rank/level/office was, but if you're a member, doesn't that imply you're an organist?

Pictures of grandma over the years. There's a nice interview with her from 1995 here. Holy crap, that was 15 years ago. Grandma was only 80 then!

The grandkids. Zoom in so you can see my brother's face (in the orange shirt). Looks like he's being goosed. I bet it's Thomas' fault (in the maroon). Completing the back is my cousin Gary. Front is my sister, Grandma (if it weren't obvious), James, and Kristy.

The whole fam damily, including spouses and great grand children.

Ronnie, who used to live with us when I was younger. He does computer consulting in Sidney. I suspect he doesn't have much competition.

My family with Grandma.

Mom and Grandma. Pooteewheet was disturbed that I had relatives at this event who were cousins who were married to each other (not pictured here). Not second cousins. First cousins. During our trip, the fugitives from Arizona were on the loose, and they were first cousins who were dating. It was disturbing to Pooteewheet that a.) it wasn't just criminals, and b.) my relatives had compounded it by having a child (with developmental problems). I pointed out that we only attend these things every five years and we don't really deal with all of my relatives in the interim. For good reason sometimes.

Eryn and my mom playing catch the dragon.

Grandpa John wants to get in on the action.

Ollie and Artie, my nephews.

The great grandkids with grandma.

Eryn playing cards with my brother, Andrew. I can tell you what Eryn is thinking. "YOU'RE A CHEATER! YOU'RE A FUCKING CHEATER! YOU POS, YOU'RE DEALING YOURSELF THE SAME DAMN CARD OVER AND OVER OFF THE TOP OF THE DECK JUST SO YOU CAN FINISH UP BECAUSE YOU'RE AFRAID YOUR NIECE WILL WIN. I HOPE YOU DIE. I WANT TO HELP YOU DIE. THIS IS WAR, AND IN WAR THE UNJUST SHOULD NEVER PREVAIL. I CAN CUT YOU WITH THIS CARD. I CAN KILL YOU WITH IT. YOU'LL BLEED OUT HERE ON THE FLOOR OF THE LOYAL ORDER OF THE ELKS, MIXING YOUR BLOOD WITH THAT OF YOUR CHEATING ANCESTORS. DIE DIE DIE CHEATING UNCLE SCUM!!!"

The kids with grandma. My Aunt Joanne is missing as she died of cancer many years ago, but they look like a happy group.

Eryn's comforter that Grandma made her with the ballerinas on it. Ellen wanted us to show it to Grandma, but I don't know if she ever got to see it. We'll send her a picture just to be sure.