Barack Obama made a presidential campaign swing through Indianapolis last Thursday. Janet volunteered to help with crowd control. It was an impressive showing that I'm sure will garner many Hoosier votes.
read morePeru 2008
Oct 1st to Oct 9th, 2008: Peru, South America & South Beach, Miami.
We set off with our good friends, Arthur and Sharon to Peru, South America. We flew from Indy to Miami to hook up with our Gate 1 Travel excursion (something Sharon had researched). Our Lan flight left at …
read moreCharles Edward Brandt -- Feb 20, 1920 to Oct 4,2008
My Father passed away on October 4th, 2008 while we were touring Inca ruins in Peru, South America. This was not a particularly unexpected event as his health had been generally in decline for the past couple of years. We celebrated his funeral upon our return on Friday October 10th …
read moreJoyce's 60th Birthay Celebration
SEPTEMBER 27th, 2008: We had a party to celebrate my sister Joyce's 60th birthday. Mary, Stephanie and Will were in charge of organizing and they did a great job. And, for once, the weather cooperated. We enjoyed a relaxing afternoon and evening of good food and company.
read moreCAP Reunion 2008
September 19th & 20th, 2008; Friday & Saturday: We celebrated Karl "Distinguished", Don "Outstanding" & Diana "Outstanding" receiving the College of Architecture's prestigious alumni awards. As far as organizing a party to celebrate, Johnso got the ball rolling by contacting all our classmates and organizing a spur of the moment class reunion for …
read moreCreel Photos & Letters
AUGUST 27, 2008: Jane Creel sent me several old pictures and letters that she had been keeping of the Creel family. This is a treasure trove of information on my mother's side of the family.
Be sure and read Lorenzo's autobiography, my Great Grandfather's brother.
read moreCNO August 2008
MONDAY; AUGUST 25, 2008: We hosted a Couples Night Out Dinner at our house. It was dubbed the official "No theme" party. Guys can't remember themes anyway. However, I think everyone still had a good time. Janet H. brought a great salsa and guacamole, Julie had a terrific 7 layer …
read moreShannon Gouwen's Wedding August 23, 2008
Saturday, August 23, 2008: We attended Tina's (Chris') and Dale's daughter's wedding in Highland, Indiana. Shannon and Rob had a beautiful ceremony complete with a very touching song sung by Dale (pre-recorded: said he could not have performed it live) and the reception/dinner following was absolutely terrific. It was …
read moreGary Henry Funeral
Friday, August 15, 2008: The City of Indianapolis said "Good-bye" to Sgt. Gary Henry, a National Guardsman killed in Iraq. He was also a member of the Indianapolis Fire Department and so they gave him quite a send-off. The route took the procession right by my office so I got …
read moreJennifer & Chris' Wedding
August 9, 2008: My niece, Jennifer & Chris got married at the Chapel on IU Campus. Yes, another "Chris" (No. 4) has been welcomed to the family. It was a wonderful day and beautiful ceremony. The chapel was very small, 60 people max seating, but I'm sure it held fond memories …
read moreBoys Night Out - Colorado 2008
July 17th to July 22, 2008: BOYZ NIGHT OUT -- COLORADO. Arthur, Ron, Jim and I spent a wonderful few days in Southwestern Colorado. This was an area, Jim was already familiar with so he was able to point us to the highlights and hotspots. We stayed in Ouray, pronounced "U-ray …
read moreCNO - 4th of July
FRIDAY; July 4th, 2008: Ron and Julie hosted a CNO dinner at Ron's garden next to Grassy Creek School. There was a nice shelter and a place to have a wood fire. We roasted hot dogs and had great sides including baked beans and potato salad. Arthur and Sharon made …
read moreBrandt Family Reunion
SUNDAY; JUNE 22, 2008: We celebrated our extended family second annual reunion over the weekend. I think Grandma and Grandpa would be proud and happy. Janet and I hosted this event at our home and even though we had a short period of afternoon thundershowers, I hope everyone had a …
read moreFather's Day 2008
Charles' & Tessa's Wedding
SATURDAY; MAY 17, 2008: Charles' & Tessa's Wedding. The BIG day finally arrived, or should I say BIG weekend.
For weeks the weatherman had been forecasting terrible weather for this particular weekend -- rain starting on Wednesday and stopping on Monday. And we had already had quite a bit of rain in …
read moreJohn I. Carija
Wednesday; April 16th, 2008: Janet got a call that I know she never hoped to receive. Her father, John, was unconscious and was being transported to a hospital. She caught a flight out east in the late afternoon, but he was gone by mid-afternoon from a massive stroke. John had …
read moreTessa's Shower & Easter
March 22nd & 23rd -- Easter Weekend: We have sure had some crazy weather this late winter. Snow, rain, ice, clouds and very little sun. I guess the ice was right before my birthday and I was able to take a few interesting pictures the next day when the sun actually came …
read moreHawaii 2008
Hawaii Trip 2008: We took a break from a cold winter in Indiana to vacation in Kauai along with our friends Arthur and Sharon. Thought we'd never get out of Indy, because of the weather and we almost didn't. Our first flight was a 6 am. The plane was de-iced …
read moreClaudia visit
January 26, 2008: Janet's sister, Claudia, came for a quick weekend visit of continuing education in sewing and embroidery techniques. Of course it was not all work and no play. We wined and dined at Santorini's Saturday night. Followed by Charles and Tessa taking Claudia out for Salsa dancing. Actually …
read moreCouples Night Out Jan 5 2008
January 5, 2008: COUPLES NIGHT OUT. Started the new year off right with a dinner at Ron and Julie's with a French twist to celebrate the return of those two along with Jim and Janet from France. The company and dinner were excellent as usual. Arthur brought along a new …
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