They came, they played, and now they've gone

It's quiet again here at The Point, but it hasn't been for long. I came down to make a fire and check my email this morning and this"Insight of the Day" was in my in-box: "The miracle is this - the more we share, the more we have." Leonard Nimoy What an apt thought for this day, the first after the Great Whitney Family Gathering of 2009!

Thanks to Ann & Bob Mikkelesen, our friends & neighbors at the lake,we had plenty of space for the 30+ Whitney relatives who were able to join us. It was impressive showing that included Mom, Aunt Barb, 6 of my 9 siblings, 8 of many kids of my sibs or their spouses, and multiple grandkids of my sibs. Definitely more people than have gathered for many years on Crystal Lake!

Mom had been here since the previous week-end and had some quiet days while I finished grading & we got some grocery shopping done so we would not all starve. Then first wave arrived a week ago - sister Carol, her husband Mel & granddaughter Lexi from the Twin Cities, and sister Beth & her daughter Jessica from LA. We got the happy hour venue set up and tested all the hors d' ouvres to make sure they were good enough for the rest of the gang.
Tom's youngest, Krista, and her family arrived later that evening & the event was underway!

Mary Kay, my sister from northern California, and her husband Alan arrived Friday afternoon; followed by Sarah, Heath and Judy's daughter, Kelsey, who entertained Heathster all the way up from St. Paul and is now his NBF. Once Heath arrived Mel threatened to take videos of his law professor sister-in-law babbling & making goofy noises to her grandson - I'm not sure that would ruin my credibility but it would certainly add a new dimension to my students' perception of me! Heath made some new discoveries this visit - best of all were the pine cone & plastic wine cork teethers! He tested various types - jack pine cones & colorful Seven Daughters corks were his favorites!

Saturday arrivals included brother Tom with his wife, Patty, and oldest daughter Shawna with her family Aaron & Brody; Aunt Barb from Kalamazoo, who many had not seen for many years; sister Patty & her husband Ron with two of their seven kids, Monique & Johann plus Monique's boyfriend, Peter. Tom's son Daniel rode his motorcycle up for the afternoon but had to get back by nightfall.

There was much fishing, kayaking, canoeing & Farkeling and plenty o' food for all.

We also had some great wildlife sightings - the eagles swooped & soared all week-end as the loons vigilantly guarded their nest; the beavers stayed on the other side of the lake near their lodge; the great blue heron stood watch on the point several times; Judy & I spotted a mama deer & two still-spotted fawns on the trail between The Cabin & The Point; and Al, busy watching for the perfect eagle shot, almost got bitten in the butt by this snapping turtle who we think was trying to lay her eggs in the fire pit!

From all indications, a good time was had by all and we definitely lived & learned that the more we share, the more we have! If you want to see more photos of the Great Whitney Family Gathering of 2009, check out our Picasa Web Album - the link is paseted in below. But here is a great shot to end with - Lexi having a quiet moment on the dock.

http://picasaweb.google.com/jwhitneymobile/2009FamilyGatheringThePoint?authkey=Gv1sRgCJTxrsrKqsKwnQE&feat=email#