This year the Muller Family Picnic was hosted by Uncle Bill’s family and they rented Camp Jefferson.  Some of us had never been there before but heard a lot about it, and others hadn’t been there in many many years. Aaron, Kalie and Emma rode down with us so the drive seem to go pretty quickly. 

When we got there we dropped our food off at the dining hall and then took a tour of the grounds. We first walked down over the bridge to the swimming pool. It was their old pool but it still looked like it was in good shape.

There are a number of cabins, all with Indian tribe names . . . . Ponca, Cheyenne, Omaha, Otoe. They were unlocked so we went inside the MaryLee Cabin, I know that’s not the name of an Indian tribe, not sure why. It was very basic inside, just metal bunk beds for about 21 people.  Very basic, just a place to sleep. There was a playground, horse shoe pits, volleyball court and the new swimming pool that will be finished soon. Then we made our way to another large building that Ken said is where they do awards ceremonies and presentations.  We went inside there to check it out.  It had a stage at the far end, a couple of rows of long pews and an old piano.  Emma liked playing the piano.

 By the time we got done with the tour it was time to go back and eat.  The dining hall is a nice large open area with a kitchen and a commercial refrigerator.  The counter is very long but extra tables still had to be setup of for all the food that everyone brings. 

 Emma was very hungry.  Kalie fixed a plate and she and Emma sat down to eat.  Then when Aaron, Ken and I got our plates and sat down, she made the rounds to each of us to see what we might have that she would like to eat. She loved running around and everyone was so glad to see her.  Don Osborne usually makes up with kids pretty quickly and he was trying with Emma. But Carolyn was telling me that when Emma did make it around to Don’s side of the table, Emma gave him a look that said ‘don’t even think about it’, which got a big laugh from the whole table. For sure, she was the hit of the party:)

 After eating so much food, we all headed out again to walk. Aaron and I took Emma to the playground and she went down the slide with me and a couple of times with Aaron.  She really enjoyed the slide.  Then Fuzz came over and we talked for a while.

A little later we made our way back to the pool and Grandpa thought he would just sit with Emma on the side of the pool so she could dangle her feet in the water.  So he rolled up his shorts.

Of course, it didn’t end there.  Pretty soon he was walking with her, letting her kick her feet and splash with her hands in the water and before he knew it, her clothes were wet.  Since they had packed Emma’s swimming suit, Kalie took her up to the truck to put it on her and brought her back. Then she and Grandpa had a good time, both of them got wet.

It’s always great to visit with family we don’t see very often. Sue Ebke brought some things she had found while going through Aunt MaryAnn’s belongings and she thought we would like to have them. 

 Carie164 (Carie’s Poem

Jillian165 (Jillian’s scholarship)

Jillian166 (Jillian and Andy dancing) 

On the way home, Aaron treated us to ice cream at Sonic in Beatrice and then we drove out by an older home on 5 acres that was for sale over by Pickrell. The place would need some work, but there were some out buildings and a two stall garage. A fixer upper you could work on as you had the time and money.  Only $48,000. What a deal! I’m always looking at property for sale, guess I take after my Dad.

 I think a great time was had by all of us.