It Was A Lovely Day for a Cookout

Last Sunday was a lovely day for a cookout.  And it was a great day to spend with our family.  And whenever we do get together for a cookout, Keith usually does the grilling.

When we get together with my Dad’s family, we usually do it at his Beer Joint, Charlie Nell’s Place.  It’s a reconstructed general store and beer joint inside a building on his property.  My cousin Laurinda Bowling took the pictures that I am sharing today.  It was nice to sit back and relax this time and have someone else capture snapshots of conversations and happenings of the day.

Like my Stepmother Sandra and my Aunt Vicki and Aunt Pat.  Aunt Pat is my Dad’s oldest sister and of the siblings there today, she was the oldest present.

This is my Dad’s older brother Bill, Laurinda’s father.

Dad’s younger sister Vicki.

And this is my Dad.

My Stepmother Sandra.

There is a large open area inside my Dad’s building where the overflow of his collections reside.  It makes a great space to eat inside out of the elements.  My Aunt Carol jokes with Aunt Vicki, Aunt Pat and Aunt Sue, another of my Dad’s sisters.  The young lady with them is my Aunt Pat’s granddaughter.

And here is my Aunt Carol and Uncle Bill in my Dad’s Saloon, which is another recreation my Dad has crafted inside his building.  He also has a barbershop area he is working on, too.

Here is a shot of the Beer Joint side of Charlie Nell’s place with my Uncle Jack’s girlfriend, my cousin Shari and my Aunt Carol. Shari is Laurinda’s sister.  Laurinda and I are the same age and Shari is the same age as my sister Becky (who could not make it unfortunately) and growing up the four of us spent a lot of fun summers together.

Keith always makes sure the food is ready and that everyone gets enough to eat.  There are usually quite a few lively conversations and sometimes things can get a little wacky, but this year it was a little quieter.  We had quite a few that could not make it and they were missed.  Like my Aunt Dot who usually stirs things up and keeps things lively and loud.

After we ate and before everyone left, Laurinda gathered us all outside to get a group shot.  Here my sister in law Tonya, my brother Steve, my cousin Shari and her boyfriend, Laurinda’s husband Terry and her granddaughter Katherine start moving to where Laurinda wants us for a group shot.

Isnt’ Katherine just a beauty?  I love this shot of her.

While we are waiting for everyone there are lots of conversations going on.  Here I am talking with my brother and Tonya.

Uncle Bill and Shari viewing an old photo.

Shari and her boyfriend.

Aunt Sue and Uncle Bill.

Uncle Bill and Uncle Jack, Dad’s younger brother.

My Dad and Uncle Jack.

Tonya and my brother Steve.

My Uncle Bill and Aunt Carol.

Keith and me.

Laurinda’s son Nathan and Katherine.

Four generations: My Uncle Bill, my cousin Laurinda, her son Nathan and his daughter Katherine.

And our group shot.  It is always so hard to get everyone together and so much harder to get a group picture of everyone.  I think this might be one of the only ones that we have of our many cookouts.  I am thankful that my cousin’s husband Terry got this shot of all of us.  It is a great reminder of a lovely day and a fun cookout.