Arm in Arm

 Last June I posted a letter written by my maternal Great-grandpa, John Edgar O'Neil to his fiancée, Auretta Empey. Mom shared a picture from about that time, that I think gives a great visual for the letter.

Auretta and Edgar

Spring Family Photos 2021

The other day Miss V brought a flyer for school spring photos home. That is my signal to pull out our family camera and tripod to update the wall pictures without paying for an unknown facial expression posed in front of a fake background. I am notoriously cheap thrifty. Zak also knows that the birthday presents I will always want are a foot massage and his willingness to pose for family pictures. We decided to take them on a weekend trip in Grandma Porter's backyard, with Cove Mountain in the background. 

 

Zak and the kids were good sports, getting dressed and ready quietly (so we didn't wake the aunts and uncles) as soon as Zak and I opened our eyes Saturday morning. We managed to finish while everyone else slept. Zak and his siblings worked in Grandpa Porter's (Dad's) work shed  sorting his tools and random items in toss, donate, and keep piles. They worked really hard all day preparing the space for upcoming projects this spring and summer. Since I had my camera and tripod already, I asked the extended family the night before if they'd like to do a family photo. I think Dad passing so suddenly has affected each of us in many ways, one of which is a greater willingness to do family pictures. We miss you everyday, Dad. You raised some hard-working, responsible adults, who love you very much.