Vacation - continued

more about our vacation... After arriving late on Wednesday the 26th, we slept well in our comfy queen beds. There was a "continental Plus" breakfast at the Country Inn which had a pretty good spread of the common easy fix breakfast choices, as well as a "make your own" waffle machine. We met up with Ken's sister Karen on the morning of the 27th and she checked into the hotel that day. Then we met up with Mom and we all had lunch at Ruby's.  We spent a large part of the day touring the countryside and churches and grave yards where relatives were buried. I took pictures inside the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville, Iowa. It's the oldest surviving Czech Catholic church in America, and it's stained glass windows are very beautiful. Ken's grandfather is buried in its graveyard. I took a picture of the outside of St. Lucas church where Ken's parents, Clemmie and Norman, were married. We had dinner at Culver's that night.  Ken's brother Ron, sister in law Deb, and nephew Mike arrived that evening and checked into the hotel next to our room. Ken's brother Randy, sister in law Dee and nephew Mackie arrived and checked into the Super 8 just around the corner from there.

Friday was Clemmie's birthday. We had lunch at Culver's that day and that's when Bill Clinton stopped in. The restaurant had a marquee sign that usually displayed the "flavor of the day" of their frozen custard, but on this day they had "Welcome former president Bill Clinton" on the sign too. So we were sitting there having lunch when all of a sudden these girls behind us started squealing like there was some sort of rock star or teen hero out in the lot. We could see law officers and secret service guys and then, sure enough - there was Bill. He went around to all the tables and shook hands with everyone and posed for pictures. Ron Kinkor shook his hand and asked what he should call him - he wasn't sure if he should say "Mr. President" or "former president" or what. Bill replied "You can call me anything you want, and most people have!" - LOL

Ken ducked into the rest room while Bill was making the rounds. When we finally left we were talking about this surprise visit and I said "he touched me" in mock adoration. Ken said "where?!" and we got to laughing really hard about this. Later he said that he would forgive me and he would try to forget.

Later on that evening we all went out to dinner at the Stone Hearth Inn - this was now the whole family except for Ken's brother Roger and family. They arrived until later in the evening. Ken and I had prime rib - which is our traditional Christmas dinner choice. It was good, but it wasn't really great. Clemmie had a birthday cake delivered with sparklers and we all sang Happy Birthday. Back at the hotel we all visited together in Karen and Clemmie's room until it was time to turn in.

Saturday the 29th was the day of the big reunion party. We had the use of the big conference room off of the breakfast room and Ron and family brought in sandwiches and soft drinks and another birthday cake. After we'd all eaten then the grandson's presented Clemmie with her flowers and gift. Mike led the group and handed her a pole to "keep your children and grandchildren in line with". Then Chris, Mitch, and Ben along with Mackie presented her with a bouquet of flowers and a wrapped gift. This was the memory quilt I'd made. As predicted - Clemmie wept when she saw it, and that was worth every minute I put into its making. She loved it and that's all that mattered.

The lobby of the hotel was very nice and so it made a great back drop for photos. Dozens of combinations of the various family groups where posed for pictures. I took several shots with my camera, but it was acting very odd. Half the time it wasn't taking a shot when I thought it had and then the battery died and I had to change it and reset the clock and photo settings. A lot of the photos were out of focus and had people looking every which way, but hopefully the ones taken by cameras with film will come out well.

Originally we were supposed to lose the room at 2 or 3, but the people who'd reserved it after that canceled, so we didn't have to leave and instead of moving the party back to the Stone Hearth Inn again, it was decided we'd just stay there and order up pizzas for supper.

We stayed on in the conference room until after 9:30 and then everyone who hadn't left already retired to their rooms.

... to be continued further...