Summer 2010

Hi everyone;

This trip begins with an overnight stop at our East Wenatchee friends to
bring them blueberries. We were able to leave there with a bag full of
apples, yumm!
One overnight on the road and then a night with my cousin Odella and
her husband Chuck in Valley City, North Dakota. Always a delightful
stay.
Next day we arrived at the Johnson family farm where we parked our
rig for the next few days while we attended a cousin reunion which
included cousin's I didn't know I had.
My great great grandfather had two sons, one which was my grandfather
Peter Storoien Johnson. His brother was John. It seems they didn't get
along because we never knew much about him. Consequently, we didn't
know he had many children, some of each girls and boys giving birth to
the cousins I didn't know I had.
Our family line now included Johnsons, Elvins, Halvorsons, and one
other who's name escapes me right now. I had some concern about meeting
strangers and how we would get along. My fears were found less as everyone
of those attending the reunion were friendly and loving. I was having a
wonderful time.
We played games, had an silent auction to raise funds for a grave marker
for John Storoien Johnson, grandpa's brother. A fabulous power point presentation was given by one cousin. It included pictures of Norway home
places, ancestors, and text giving lots of information.
We were able to exchange pictures, letters, and received a great ancestor
cobweb page that clearly showed how we were all related which had been very
confusing and now made perfect sense.
Two very special letters were those written by my grandfather to the parents
of his first wife about his plan to marry their daughter hoping they would
approve and another informing them of her death. Both very touching.
We had a dedication service of the grave marker, tour of the farm with
watermelon eating pictures. We all looked great with watermelon in front
of our faces.
Soon, this wonderful time came to an end with plans for the next reunion
in two years at Banff, Canada.
Monday after a morning of antiquing and lunch in Osakis with Alden and
Hulda it was time to hit the road.
Our next stop is a beautiful resort by Millie Lac Lake. What a treat it was
to get out our chairs, sit under the trees in a nice breeze and read and relax.
The reunion weekend had been tiring and extremely hot. We plan to stay
here a few days and recoup.
After the heat we are experiencing a downpour tonight. Should cool things
down a bit. Stay tuned.