Cole Family Reunion

Saturday dawned like a typical Western Washington day - with rain and overcast.  But as the day progressed it turned out a little overcast and not too hot.  Just right for the Cole Family Reunion and food fest at Uncle Wendell's house on Lake Chapin near Berrien Springs, Michigan. Total attendance was not a large number but we had a good turn out.  We visited, looked at old pictures, took new pictures, celebrated birthdays and took a ride on a pontoon boat on the lake.  It was a great day and we had a good time visiting with family.  Goni, as was to be expected, took up with the women in the kitchen.  They talked about food, recipes and family.  Grover and Gary Klein went down to look at Wendell's shop. We had a big celebration for everyone with a recent birthday but especially Wendell who will be 80 in 6 weeks.  There was a 25th wedding anniversary toast for Grover & Goni's big anniversary.  Food was in great abundance and most of us were waddling around because we ate too much. There was a championship badminton game played in the back yard by many family members.  Cassie Laseke played Grandpa Cole's restored guitar.  We tried to sing songs but most of us couldn't remember the words. We then went for a ride on the lake in Wendell's neighbors pontoon boat.  Goni calls it a party boat but it will hold 12 people and is just right for cruising at slow speeds on Lake Chapin.  Wendell was the captain and looked smart in his captain's hat.  He took us down the lake to Berrien Springs and back.  A second group got a ride the other way to Buchanan. Unfortunately all good things must come to an end.  We left Saturday evening for one last night in Chicago before the long trip back home.  We stayed up til midnight talking with Greer and Joe before hitting the sack. Tomorrow we head towards home through the Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska countryside.