LEADER OF THE BLUE FLANNEL TARTANS - Dan organized all the attendees wearing flannel shirts with a blue tartan print. Then, as you can see, they took over the “self-serve bar” and maintained a blockade through the night, forcing the rest of us to drink soda pop and swill. Respect! Great warrior move.
Read MoreGUEST BOOK - Auntie Mary is so proud she got this old book for $3 at the second-hand store. She made that little label and called it the Guest Book. Thanks for your doodles and guest wishes. You made this fun for all.
Read MoreGUEST BOOK SAMPLER #1 - Mary and Keith (aka Granny and Paw ) made these doodles for the guest book. Dave Chapelle and Dolly Parton would be great fun at a party. Good choices.
Read MorePART OF THE EXILED DOG PACK - All dressed up for some Flannel Fun, wondering where everyone went. Maybe next time, boys! Thanks to all the dog lovers for making sure your pets were happy.
Read MoreAIR HOCKEY AWAITS THE BRAVE - Man, this thing is heavy, but we managed to move it into the back room so the noise wouldn’t upset the old people, the cursing wouldn’t upset the children, and the betting wouldn’t upset the people who lost all their money on side bets in the pool tournament.
Read MoreINTER-GENERATIONAL CHATTING IRL - Throughout the day, little enclaves of diverse people just like this came together to know each other a little more deeply, and, in so doing, came to know a little more about themselves. We call it “Fishing the Gene Pool.” And there were a lot of great keepers this day. Our hearts overflow.
Read MoreCLAN OF THE BRIGHT AND SHINING WOLF WARRIORS - It was a unique way of representing a unique family and The Aunties are pleased with their handiwork. They labored over the conceptual design and came up with something that captured the spirit. On this day, we were something special together. It was enchanting! Thank you all for coming!
Read MorePLAN B - We promised a Plan B if rain precluded a bonfire. It did not rain. We had our family fire outside and it warmed the cool autumn night just right. Sadly, our curator overlooked taking a photo of it, so use your imagination please.
Read MoreSELF-SERVE BAR - It’s Wisconsin. It’s a party. It’s an open bar. That’s how the universe works, kids. Families have been including spirits in their celebrations for millennia. We appreciate you helping us keep the tradition.
Read MoreTHE OMRO CONTINGENT - Alora, Lindsay, Zach, Sandy, and Jim (l-r) looking adorable after enjoying some Flannel Fest cake! Jamie and Jacques (not pictured) were looking adorable across the room. Hands down, this chunk of the family wins the Sweetness Award.
Read MoreI GOT ALL MY SISTERS AND ME - The post title is also the title of the song Presley picked for her contribution to the Flannel Fest playlist. All three of these beauties are spawn of Mollie and inherited her sense of humor, her charm, and her beauty. Thanks to all the “grown-ups” for making this memory for them and for all the grandchildren who attended this event. You are the stories they will tell someday.
Read MoreDOUBLE TROUBLE - Auntie Sam taught her niece Mollie many life lessons as she grew to womanhood. Most of them are from the movie “Thelma and Louise,” so you can imagine the mischief of which they are capable. Fair warning. Stand back and do not hold their beer for them.
Read MoreCLAN IN THE WOODS - Oh, my gosh. I am startled! This looks like your average, normal, Michigan militia picnic! But this is no militia. To check, I yelled, “Who all was at the capital on January 6th?” Only one person raised their hand — and that was to go to the bathroom. Let’s not call ourselves “The Clan” anymore. Crazy times. Don’t want any misunderstandings. We all appreciate you for making the hugs so soft and cuddly.
Read MoreLOST AND FOUND - Did you leave your glasses at the party? If so, Carey claimed them. Auntie Mary will tell you where she lives.
Read MoreKEITH HEARING THERE IS SPOTTED COW - Favorite beer of goofy old guys who live in Wisconsin. Thanks for all the beverages you brought to the party. Especially the unusual sodas, beers, and wines. So fun!
Read MoreTHE ELUSIVE ROLAND STONE - A rare sighting by the edge of the forest and again by the pizza with no cheese. One of the clan secrets: Roland Stone is a time traveler.
Read MoreKALLIE AND PRESLEY LOVE PIZZA - Mary bought 10 spatulas to avoid cross-contamination of pizzas. Now she will be serving pizza endlessly to get her money’s worth from the spatualas. They were $0.98 each at Walmart. If you would like to adopt a spatula, send your I.O.U. for r$0.98 to Mary and she will name it after you, send you a photo, and a personal thank you note.
Read MoreCAREY TRIES TO GROUND AMY - In a rare call of rank, Carey pressed for a shooting advantage by threatening to ground Amy and take away her phone. You can see how not upset Amy was. She’s all brightand shiny, as you would expect when someone tries to tell her what to do. We appreciate both of you making this time so wonderful.
Read MoreSOLVING WORLD’S PROBLEMS - As Keith and John ponder global warming, the future of Artificial Intelligence, and life without Covid, an angel appears telling them they are each pregnant, and should check back when they’ve purchased a donkey and a Bible. (Or maybe they were talking about the Packers).
Read MoreSHIRLEY JANE - John and Sam each told a beautiful story about our mom — and we all toasted her and wished she could see what those five trips so long ago to the obstetrics unit yielded: Lifetimes of love, scores of people, and the thread of her running through them all. We nestled her next to her wooden mushroom sculpture for the party and pretended her spirit was there with us - hoping we weren’t just pretending. Thank you for helping us celebrate her.
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