Observation....

Does anyone else think it's odd that the "Climate Change" bill was over 1200 pages long, the "Stimulus Bill" was 973 pages long......and our Constitution, the document that outlines and frames our entire government, if printed in size 12 Times New Roman font, is only 11 pages long?

It's longer if you add the amendments and the signatures, though. But still.....

Sunday's Genealogy Field Trip

When Mom, Dad and I went to Pocahontas in May we met a very nice distant cousin named Barry File who told us that a gentleman named Gerald Jenner had written a book about the history of Bond County, specifically Henry Oliver File, b. July 4, 1776, who helped settle Bond County and eventually had ten children. Henry Oliver File now has over 5000 descendants, including all of us.

Well yesterday we went back to Pokey to meet Mr Jenner (whose wife is a File), explore the File Cemetery some more, and have dinner with more File cousins and the restaurant where they meet every single Sunday night at 6pm. It was a hoot. To paraphrase Scott, "you can't swing a dead cat in Bond County without hitting a File."

Mr and Mr Jenner were so sweet. Yesterday was their 57th wedding anniversary (he said "Well, it would have been our 62nd if she'd said 'yes' the first time I asked her.") and he also told us about his experiences in Europe during WW2. (He is on the waiting list for an Honor Flight.)

We were also able to take rubbings of the tombstones of Norm's great-grandparents (Jacob and Elizabeth File, whose daughter Almira married Nils Peter) and his great-great-grandparents Henry Oliver File and his wife Mary (parents of Jacob). The stones are so worn but if you take paper and rub a crayon over it, the letters become visible.

Anyway, wish I had taken more pictures but here are Norm and me at Jacob and Elizabeth's stones and then a photo of Mr and Mrs Jenner at the entrance to File Cemetery.

You know....when I think about Grandma Hentz or Grandpa and Grandpa Nilsson, I really don't have any interest in their tombstones. I prefer to think of them as they were --- alive. But finding the headstones of these ancestors helps me realize that they really existed. They're not just faded names in an old family bible...They really lived in Pocahontas. They cleared the fields, farmed the land, buried their kids there.....maybe rested under some of those trees for shade.

Tom: there's a book in Henry Oliver File's story. I just know it. Starting with his birthdate.....and if you spend some time around those gorgeous rolling green hills of Pocahontas, it will come to you!

Cardinals Blanket???

Katie,

The puppy is cute, but the bigger issue is the Cardinals blanket. Are you a closet Cardinal fan? Did you get that blanket out after your mom and dad left town? My guess is there was a Cub's blanket there over the weekend!

Glad to hear things are going so well for you

Katie's First Post!

Puppy Mania!! Sunday night, Ryan and I put a downpayment on a puppy. We weren't sure that is was 100% legit because there are a ton of puppu scams on the internet and we were worried about this one-- long story... anyway, we actually DID receive our new pup on Monday night. We named her Kayla. Mattie and Kayla love each other but Mattie is a little sad that we pay attention to Kayla and not her all the time. We are having so much fun with them:) Kayla is a boxer and she looks a lot like Mattie right now (tan with a black face). I have some more pictures of them sharing a bone and laying under the couch together.

Anyway, hope everyone is doing well and I am still recovering from a wild weekend with mom, dad, gma, and gpa-- those 4 are crazy!!

The Jonas Brothers Meet and Greet in Tulsa

So Blake and

Monica got to meet the Jonas Brothers and pose for group shots along with maybe 100 others. They were being hustled through the line when Monica asked if Blake could take a photo with just Nick, since she has diabetes. Nick, who also has Type 1, overheard the question and thought that would be a great idea. He introduced himself to Blakey and then whispered in her ear, "It's nice to meet you. Thank you for coming tonight."

From then it was onto the show. Honor Society opened for Jordan Sparks with Jessie James also there singing her hit. Then the JoBros played for over ninety minutes to a rocking crowd. Monica took photos and video and you can hear Blake singing along to almost every song. During one song, Monica filmed Blake jumping up and down and waving her hands in the air -- like she just don't care.

It was a phenomenal evening for the Tulsa branch of the Nilsson Girls! I'm sure everyone will get to hear everything in greater detail at the vacation house.

For those who don't know, from left to right above it is Kevin, Nick and Joe Jonas.

Visit with Katie

One of the highlights of our visit was the World War II Memorial. It was amazing to see so many vets there, including a large group wearing these blue T shirts.

Many, many thanks to Katie, Ryan L, and Mattie the dog for shuttling us around and showing us a great time!

OH MY JONAS!

This Monday, June 22nd, the Jonas Brothers are performing here in Tulsa with opening act Jordan Sparks. Blake does not yet know she is going. But wait until you hear this. The local chapter of the JDRF in conjunction with the Jo Bros had a contest, since Nick Jonas -- the youngest -- has Type 1 diabetes. To enter you had to have a ticket, already establish a walk team for this year and have raised $25. Monica did all of that, and . . . Wait for it! . . . Blake won! Her name was drawn!

Oh my Jonas! This should make for great deck time conversation at the Vacation House.

She and Monica will get to meet the Jonas Brothers before the concert. Can you believe that? We are trying to figure out a way to tell Blake that she is going to the show AND that she will get to meet the Bros. I'm sure we will just blurt it out because Monica is already dying to tell her.

JUNE 9th

Why does that date sound familiar? Oh, yeah!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JULIE
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU cha cha cha

41st lacks a bit of the pizzazz of last year, huh?

Have a great day anyway.

Tom, Monica, Tanner, Blake, Drew, Jaspar, Jeffy (the dog, not the person) Miley and the newest member of the Wild Kingdon, Peanut Butter the Hamster