So close, but so far...

Starting Thursday night and going through Saturday night, we (in various combinations) got to visit with my brother and his family after they arrived in Wisconsin from Ohio to celebrate my parents' 50th wedding anniversary. My brother and sister-in-law have three children, all the same age; yes, they have triplets. We were all able to be together for dinner on Friday and Saturday nights, with Saturday designated as the more formal celebration. We asked my parents earlier if they wanted to be part of a larger occasion in their honor, but they said they would feel more comfortable with a smaller gathering. So, we played games (Yahtzee, Spoons, BS, cribbage.... ), got too loud, listened to a concert on the square,

had ice cream at Lauber's Ice Cream Parlor,

dinner at Ivan's

and at The Cotton Exchange, and generally got to be with each other for a while. Basically, this gathering occurs twice a year.... Ohio seems kind of close, but when negotiating travel, schedules and other things, it seems so far.

Unfortunately, the weekend began with a loss. My brother's beloved old dog, Arwen, was quite uncomfortable and her health was rapidly failing ... so she was taken to an emergency vet, where goodbyes were said and only the collar brought home. So, hearts were hurting, but the support of the family and the planned activities perhaps helped keep chins up.