The big day finally arrived!  Paul and I awoke starving and knew our vacation breakfasts were now limited so we opted not to have the same old hotel waffles and went back to The Daily Grind where we previously had lunch. This place has easily become our favorite place in Elkhart for grabbing coffee and quick great meals, but this would be a first for having breakfast there.  We were not disappointed!  

Paul sowing his wild oven-baked oats with a bagel on the side. He was never an oatmeal kinda guy before, but somehow this breakfast changed him. Now all he ever talks about is baked oatmeal. Baked oatmeal this, baked oatmeal that... a conversation with him now is really quite captivating.

Paul sowing his wild oven-baked oats with a bagel on the side. He was never an oatmeal kinda guy before, but somehow this breakfast had a profound impact on him. Now all he ever talks about is baked oatmeal. Baked oatmeal this, baked oatmeal that... a conversation with him now is really quite captivating. Truly.

   

I ordered a cheese and mushroom quiche with a blueberry muffin on the side.

I ordered a bleu cheese and mushroom quiche with a blueberry muffin on the side. Plus I'm wearing blue. No this was not planned! Come on, color-coordinating with your food, that's ridiculous!!

 

After breakfast we headed over to my grandma’s house to start helping prepare for the big party, but when we got there, no one was home!!!  We decided to just take a walk around the neighborhood to wait.

Here we are walking around the neighborhood, drinking coffee, waiting for the peeps to come home (sorry I couldn't think of a better caption for this one!)

Here we are walking around the neighborhood, drinking coffee, waiting for the peeps to come home (sorry I couldn't think of a better caption for this one!)

 

Uncle Tim and his wife Penny drive on by while we were walking. Here Uncle Tim is telling Paul how funny he thought his "Funication at the Fountain" photo was in a recent blog post. Thanks for reading our blog, Uncle Tim & Penny!

Uncle Tim and his wife Penny drive on by while on our walk. Here Uncle Tim is telling Paul how funny he thought his "Funication at the Fountain" photo was in his recent blog post. I'm not so sure Penny appreciated it as much! But thanks for reading our blog, Uncle Tim & Penny! You're probably our biggest fans!

 

We made a full circle around the block and when we got back we saw that everyone had returned.

The walk around my grandma's neighborhood is always pleasant. Everyone has big yards and they keep them up nicely

The walk around my grandma's neighborhood is always pleasant. Everyone has big yards and they keep them up nicely. That's the new red gangster mobile out in front.

 

Turns out, everyone had gone to pay respects to my grandpa at his grave that morning.  Doh! Were we supposed to be there too??? OOPS.  Sorry Grandpa!  But if it helps, I always think of you every time I come to Indiana.  You are surely missed!

The rest of the afternoon involved getting ready for the reunion which was to be held in the evening.

Mom and grandma discussing the plans over lunch.

You may think they're in serious thought about the party plans, but in actuality they're quite captivated by Paul's PowerPoint presentation of the glories of baked oatmeal.

 

I'm convinved Uncle Mark colored coordinated with the cookie on purpose. If you didn't already know, my family and desserts have a very special relationship.

OH! Umm... hey! It looks like Uncle Mark color-coordinated with the cookie. That's... uhh, a brilliant idea!

 

Meanwhile Dad fires up the grill for his famous teriyaki skewers, they're legend in this family.

Meanwhile Dad fires up the grill for his famous teriyaki skewers, they're legendary in this family.

 

Flashback some thirty years ago at another big reunion right here in my grandma’s backyard, my dad made teriyaki skewers during the party and he couldn’t keep up with the demand!  People were grabbing them as soon as they came off the grill.  Would they be as popular this time around?  WE SHALL SEE.

 

"Excellent! But let me tell you about a little something I like to call 'baked oatmeal'"

Paul's saying "Excellent! But let me tell you about a little something I like to call 'baked oatmeal'..."

 

We were ahead of schedule and had some time to spare. Paul relaxes and catches up on his reading.

We were ahead of schedule and had some time to spare. Paul relaxes and catches up on the latest Woman's Day magazine. Judging from his expression, it appears that he discovered a great recipe for a certain baked breakfast cereal. And my my, look at those shapely gams!

 

Grandma approves!

Dad finished barbecuing and Grandma approved!

 

And finally it was time!  We all headed over to the party location to get the place ready.

Uncle Mark and Philip get the decorations ready. "Family Tree" was the theme of the reunion, so topiary trees were a fitting centerpiece.

Uncle Mark and cousin Philip get the decorations ready. "Family Tree" was the theme of the reunion, so real topiary trees were a fitting centerpiece.

 

Dad fires up the charcoal grill to give the pre-cooked skewers one quick and final heating.

Dad fires up the charcoal grill to give the pre-cooked skewers a quick and final heating.

 

And cute kids everywhere have fun around the park.

My cousin Micah and his nephew Josiah (yes, his nephew!)

My cousin Micah and his nephew Josiah (yes, his nephew!)

 

Meanwhile, Paul helps Penny (Uncle Tim's wife) organize the food table.

Meanwhile, Paul helps Penny organize the food table. "Put the food there!" says Penny. "Yes maam!" says Paul. His official title on my mom's Job Assignment list was gopher. As a side note, Paul says gopher yourself.

 

Believe it or not, my cousins set up a full espresso bar! Paul is in coffee heaven with unlimited all you can drink no holes barred caffeine, it's his best dream come true.

Believe it or not, my cousins set up a full espresso bar! Paul is in coffee heaven with unlimited no holds barred all you can drink bottomless cup of caffeine, it's his best dream come true.

 

My best dream come true is the dessert end of the table. Look at the variety! All homemade of course.

This is my best dream come true. Look at the variety! All homemade of course. The two apple pies on the end are my grandma's.

 

My cousin Charity helps put the centerpieces on.

Meanwhile my cousin Charity helps put the centerpieces on.

 

And Dad finishes up the teriyaki skewers with Uncle Bob hovering.

And Dad finishes up the teriyaki skewers with Uncle Bob hovering.

 

When my mom rented out the venue for the reunion, she had to put down $300 as a deposit for any damage done OR if anyone broke the strict ”no alcohol outside of the building” rule.  She was adamant about letting everyone know they can’t bring alcohol outside and even posted signs up at all of the doors saying “NO ALCOHOL OUTSIDE!!!” Well, we all obeyed the rule, MOSTLY…

 

Paul's $300 infracation!!! Luckily he didn't get caught (except by me who will no doubt use this photo to my advantage MUAHHAHAHA!)

Paul's $300 infraction!!! Luckily he didn't get caught by the authorities. My mom is gonna have a cow when she sees this picture!

 

On the inside, centerpieces are on and everything's going as planned. Mom is happy!

On the inside, the centerpieces are on the tables and everything's going as planned. Mom is happy!

 

Another shot of espresso. Paul is happy!

Another shot of espresso. Paul is spastastically happy!

 

People start arriving and the food table is fit for a king.

People start arriving and the food table is fit for a king.

 

Mom starts the evening with greetings and introductions and re-emphasis the rules... "NO ALCOHOL OUTSIDE!"

Mom starts the evening with greetings and introductions and re-emphasizes the rules... "AND IF I CATCH ANY OF YOU WITH ALCOHOL OUTSIDE, YOU'RE IN FOR A GOOD SMACKIN!"

 

Finally, it’s time for the most important part of the entire event.  DINNER TIME!

Paul and Penny unload a cooler full of piping hot fried chicken.

Paul and Penny unload a cooler full of piping hot fried chicken.

 

And everything's ready to go! Look at all of those teriyaki skewers.

And the people start digging in! Look at all of those teriyaki skewers.

 

People were smart, they made sure to grab dessert at the same time as serving their dinner. The desserts did not last very long!

People were smart, they made sure to grab dessert at the same time as serving their dinner. In this family, desserts do not last very long!

 

Between snapping photos I finally had time to make myself a plate. I was lucky enough to grab a couple of teriyaki skewers... THEY WERE AWESOME!!!

Between snapping photos I finally had time to make myself a plate. I was lucky enough to grab a couple of Dad's teriyaki skewers... THEY WERE AWESOME!!!

 

My dessert plate, everything was incredible.

After dinner I was so stuffed that I barely had room for dessert, so I just grabbed a few small morsels to nibble on.

 

And dinner is finished off with a capuccino for me and ANOTHER shot of espresso for Paul.

And dessert was accompanied by a cappuccino for me and ANOTHER shot of espresso for Paul.

 

After dinner, we had entertainment!

After dinner, we had the entertainment! Paul's youngest sons demonstrate an African stick dance (they spent 8 years in Africa and I think plan to move back in a couple of years.)

Uncle Paul's youngest sons demonstrated an African stick dance which they learned during the 8 years they lived in Africa.

 

My dad sings a song he wrote himself, "Kaanapali" one of my favorites.

My dad sang a moving song he wrote himself, "Kaanapali" one of my favorites.

 

My cousin Matthias plays us a tune.

My cousin Matthias played us a tune.

 

My cousin Samuel plays a funny gesture game with volunteers.

My cousin Andrew played a funny gesture game with brave volunteers.

 

Uncle Mark teaches the kids a tap dance lesson

Uncle Mark taught the kids a tap dance lesson.

  

And Paul sneaks into the kitchen to attempt to snort up the leftover coffee grounds.

And Paul sneaked into the kitchen to snort up the leftover coffee grounds.

 

After the entertainment my mom talked more about our family tree and our heritage which she had been researching for months.  She also gave away a children’s book about the oldest American family farm, I think we’re descendants of the family (sorry I wasn’t paying full attention at the time, I was wholly preoccupied by my dessert plate.)

Tuttles Red Barn - The oldest American family farm

Morgan shows off her prize, Tuttle's Red Barn

 

In addition, my mom passed around this shocking x-ray of when my grandmother swallowed an open safety pin as a child!

Ouch! I didn't know how they got it out, I'm sure my mom explained everything but... well, two words: dessert plate.

Ouch! I don't know how they got it out, I'm sure my mom explained everything but well, I was still a bit preoccupied...

 

And finally the reunion ends with group pictures.

The entire group minus Paul who was the one to take the photos, so sorry Paul

The entire group minus Paul who was the one to take the photo, so sorry Paul... we forgot to bring the tripod.

 

Grandma with her children.

Grandma with her children.

 

Grandma with her grandchildren and great grandchildren (minus a few that could not be here including my brother.)

Grandma with her grandchildren and great grandchildren (minus a few that could not be here including my brother and his family.)

 

The largest clan of the family. Uncle Paul & Aunt Teresa with most of their 12 children and 6 grandchildren. Two of their sons could not be here.

The largest clan of the family. Uncle Paul & Aunt Teresa with ten of their twelve children and three of their six (soon to be seven)grandchildren. Two of their older sons could not be here.

 

And that was the end of the big family party!  It was time to put the food away and clean the place up. 

 

Nothing says the party's over like a lonesome skewer of teriyaki. I'm sure a lot of people wanted to eat the last one but were just too polite.

Nothing says the party's over like a lonesome skewer of teriyaki! (that is a great quote all on its own, someone please put that on my grave's epitaph.) I'm sure a lot of people wanted to eat it but were just too polite to take the last one.

 

The Wonder Dad finished the clean-up with a quick mopping.

The Wonder Dad finished the clean-up with a quick mopping. Finally everything was done and it was time to go!

 

And lastly, I CAN’T have a blog post without a doggie!!  In the parking lot on the way out a boy was riding his bike in circles with a cute little dog running close behind.

It seemed like he had been hanging around the parking lot all night hoping to join the party. I just smiled at him, told him his dog was cute, and that he should get his own darn family.

It felt like he had been hanging around the parking lot all evening long hoping to join the party or at least sample the last teriyaki skewer. I just smiled at him, took pictures of his dog, and told him to get his own darned family!!!

 

And that’s it from me!  I’ll leave it to Paul to wrap up this edition of our travel blog with our last day spent in Indiana where we said our goodbyes, met my most favorite purple fast food mascot (how many are there?) and had our last belly-stuffing hurrah!  HURRAH!