Each year we get as many family members as possible into the community room at the apartment building where mother Janice lives in Shippensburg. For the first time in thirty years, we got all six siblings together. John senior turned 90 in 2016, so this may well be the last complete family portrait.
Oldest to youngest from left to right with Dad and Mom in the middle. Camille, John, Bob, Joe, Michael and James.Brandon gets the photo credit, using John’s equipment and expertise. Here are more of Brandon’s photos from this gathering.
Our photographer and nephew, Brandon with brother Jim’s granddaughter Penny. Brandon’t lovely wife, Joanna.
Mom, dear and Camille. Bob and Bob sharing conversation at the table with Michael and Bob’s son, Taylor chatting behind them. Camille and brother Joe are talking with Mom.
John P and Michael delve into the mysteries of life.
Potluck!
Brother Bob and cousin Brian, brother Michael and nephew Taylor.
Grandpa/brother Jim with Penny and Penny’s parents, Christina and Lou.
Cousins Bethany and Lydia. Craft table for the (grand) kids. Brandon’s daughter, Bethany runs with a pack of three boys. Lydia, Charity’s daughter has a sister and four brothers. Darla brought three gallons of ice cream and cones to pack it in. Yum!
Lou and John keep an eye on Lou’s son, Mikey. Jacob explores a toy from the game closet, while Levi engages his uncle Joe.
The best part of every family gathering is the Round Robin Joe instituted a few years ago, in which we take turns speaking from the heart.
Charity, Lou and Penny, Christina and Mikey, Jim, Maggie and Brian, Camille and Joanna on one side, Dad, Michael, Bob, Joe, Deb, Taylor’s girlfriend Jenny, Bob and Darla. Mom has left the head of the table for a moment and Alana sits at the foot.
Baring your soul before family is sometimes difficult and always illuminating.
BOB AND CAMILLE’S PHOTOS
John, Darla and Joanna.
Deb and Bob. Joe and Brandon with some of the kids.
Michael with Mom and Dad.
Lydia and Bethany, taking turns holding Charity’s youngest, baby Joel.
At the table.
Joanna, Brandon, Jacob, Ben, Micah and Bethany. And Brandon’s dad, John.