iday, May 9, 2008, I joined Mom and Dad; Aunt Lu, Uncle Don, and Cousin Kendall from Portland, Oregon; Cousin Barbara from Henderson, Nevada; and Cousin Lana from Branson, Missouri at the Lawrence Welk timeshares in Escondido. The mini-family reunion began by Lana winning employee of the year recognition at Lawrence Welk in Branson, and winning a week’s stay in Escondido. Her brother Bobby and sister-in-law Fran decided to come down to see her, and the mini-reunion was on. Though I missed Bobby and Fran (they departed on Thursday), a good time was had with the rest of the family. One of the highlights was playing golf with Uncle Don and Dad. However, the top highlight of the time was a concert by an acapella group of four young men singing 50’s and early 60’s music, dressed similarly with one notable exception; the one who forgot to zip up his pants. Unfortunately, I was sitting next to Aunt Lu, who is not a very good influence when it comes to ignoring such items. Needless to say, we were both to the point of crying, we were laughing so hard. Thank goodness for intermissions and wardrobe checks. . .Mother’s Day brought the departure from Escondido, and breakfast/brunch at Coco’s. We were looking for an IHOP in town that several people had seen, but unfortunately noone could remember where it was. That happens a lot with people who are shall I say a little older and without navigation systems. Afterwards, we all went our separate ways – the Portlanders to the airport, the desert-ers back to Palm Dessert, and me back to Orange County.It was a great time, and everyone was still talking to each other at the end!
