Afterglow 2007 - Day 2 Sunday

James had disclosed a secret to us a while back that really wasn't a secret to anyone - he was going to propose to Janelle. He had already picked out the ring and asked her dad's permission, but had to find the perfect place to do it. That perfect time and place came at Afterglow when he took her out in the boat to go finishing. Last year was Janelle's 1st year here, and she desperately wanted James to take her fishing, but he ran out of time and she never got to go. This year, he was fulfilling two promises with 1 smooth action - take he fishing and finally make it official that they were to be married. The entire family was watching in anticipation of this momentous event. 

This is by far my favorite picture from Afterglow 2007. I'm going to blow this picture up and hang it on the wall at their wedding so that everyone could see the pure joy in Uncle Rick's eyes on the day when James proposed to Janelle. There are countless pictures ruined by "that guy" - trust me, I usually am "that guy", but Uncle Rick enhances this picture in the way that only a Kurutz could. It's moments like this that make me tear up and make me proud to be a member of my family.

The Moms watched from the shore with binoculars while the cousins pretended to be swimming and playing on the beach. Tim stood in the water and waited for the news. Brian and I (or Kevin and I, my memory doesn't allow me to relay competent details) sat atop the raft and pretended not to be spying on James and Janelle. Those who know us know very well that we are neither sneaky nor clever, so I'm sure that Janelle knew something was us. I hope that I didn't ruin the surprise, but judging from her excited look as she returned to the beach, the surprise was genuine and the reception was welcomed.

Ok, enough about Uncle Rick, it's time to celebrate the people who this really is about - James and Janelle. My Mom got all misty-eyed when she gave a toast that most likely included the phrase, "Oh Lordy Lordy, my baby is finally gettin' married! It's so fab-a-lous." Oh wait, that's Mama Klump from the Nutty Professor. I watch way too many movies. What did my Mom say? I'm sure that it was fantastic because everyone got all emotional during her toast.

We had plenty of champagne to pass around (like we needed more to drink) and everyone was able to get a glass. For those close of age whose parents were present and allowed it, they were able to drink real champagne. For the younger folks and those not wishing to drink, we had non-alcoholic champagne or some sort of sparkling juice. Everyone's needs were accommodated, so we all drank our merry little butts off in celebration.

As time has gone by, Cari and Janelle have gotten close and established a special bond. Everyone in my family has welcomed Janelle with open arms, but Cari has done an impressive job making her feel welcome by spending a lot of time with her when James and Gary get together. And believe me, those kids spend way too much time together.

Home

I was oblivious to everything that was going on around me because I was too busy staring into the bottom of my drink. Story of my life. That means that the only information that I have to go on is from the pictures, which supposedly say 1,000 words but I find myself struggling to come up with just a few about this one. From what I can tell, Gary is giving James and Janelle advice on marriage life, which is fantastic given the source.

Gary and James are less like Uncle and Nephew and more like best buds from college. They have a lot in common and they go out and cause some trouble every now and then. They are always able to get out of it, but it sure makes for some exciting and interesting stories. They are a lot of fun to be around and their antics make me laugh and not worry about aging.

I had thought that Uncle Rick had used up all of his silliness in the picture with James and Janelle but boy was I wrong. Rick and Greg opened up one of the wedding magazines and took on the position of co-wedding planners. These brothers would need tons of research and schooling if they were to pull this one off. 

We gathered for a gianormous family picture on the stairs and two things were certain - everyone here is family and Kevin, Brian and Faith would find some way to "ruin" the picture by adding their own unique personalities to it. Brian and Kevin (center of picture) are getting just a little too close to each other for everyone else's comfort. Before you start insinuating anything, these "cousins" just formed a bond that could never be broken by conventional methods. Faith's actions, on the other hand, are a little more difficult to explain. I wish that I could take credit for teaching her to "ruin" pictures by making faces and giving two thumbs up, but to take credit for that would make as much sense of me taking credit for discovering America, operating the Underground Railroad, and being the 1st man to walk on the Moon. I can however, take credit for influencing her over the years to do silly things, but she started out being goofy before I even met her.

These kids spend even more time together than any other kids on the planet. Now that you can take to the bank and cash it. If I had to choose a crew to roll with for the rest of my life, I would without a doubt choose this motley crew. It helps that all of them are family or adopted family, but even if they weren't, I would still consider all of them to be some of my very best friends. Their S is definitely not W.