It didn’t take long to know that this trip from Syracuse to Estes Park, Colorado, for my dear wife Karen’s family reunion was a success.
All it took was one look at my beloved’s face. And the face of her sister Jana when we walked up to the place she and her family were staying. And the face of her brother Steve when she and he hugged again. And their sister Lynne when she got in later and we pulled into her hotel lot and hopped out of the car.
Brother Scott will be the last to arrive, later today, Saturday. I’m expecting to witness more Miner joy on the face of my wife, who has not seen these siblings who live so far away from us in too many years.
Sisters Jana, Karen and Lynne.
Drew photo bombs Steve and his lovely wife Joan.
The first night we all ate together at a pizza joint — no, not nearly as good as New York pizza, voiced my wonderful daughter Elisabeth, terrific boyfriend George Three and I — and then walked across the street to an open-air tavern-type spot to meet and greet some more.
And who are you again?
There was a lot of getting-to-know-you going on for a couple of hours.
Kimi and Stormy arrived from Arkansas.
My hopes are for the cousins, the next generation down, from Alaska and Arkansas and the great Northwest and Syracuse too, to get to know each other well.
Elisabeth and Dacia toast with a pineapple sampler.
Friday, a third generation arrived when Steve and Joan’s Flynne and her husband Jordan arrived with baby Lanie.
Flynne and Lanie, with Kimi at left.
Have you met relatives you didn’t know years later, and if so, how did it go?
Mark Bialczak 
Beautiful.
LikeLike
Thank you, sis Angie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww, those are so sweet! Yay, Karen! 😀
LikeLike
Yes, Karen was in heaven this reunion, Rachel. ❤
LikeLike
How wonderful! Mrs. B must have been beaming the whole time! The time we went to Albany this past March, it was for an 80th birthday of a relative and his family I had not seen in 40 years! God, I’m old. It was so nice to catch up – we had a lot of catching up to do. I am so glad we went.
LikeLike
That’s a hell of a catch-up, Mrs. B! Way to go. My Mrs. B is still smiling, yes. 🙂
LikeLike
LikeLike
Absolutely wonderful Mark! Looks like a great reunion and as you said a chance for the next generation to meet and get to know each other a bit. I got into genealogy years back and researched my husband’s tree. We had one reunion with cousins who hadn’t seen each other since they were kids, they were now in their 60’s and 70’s- it was wonderful. We also found a relative in Israel who came to meet family in the US she had never known existed – it was very emotional. We have all kept in touch through FB and email now.
LikeLike
That’s very neat, bringing in your cousin from Israel, Lisa. Lovely!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mark … That’s a wonderful gathering of family and friends. It made me think back to visiting with you and Karen when Dave and I were in Syracuse last year. Making those connecting, renewing relationships, building new ones … priceless. 😉
LikeLike
I am a happy man this Sunday morning my dear friend Judy, squeezing a few minutes onto WordPress before starting another day out here in wonder land. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Some of those faces look familiar to me through DWK’s face!!! 🙂
I love family reunions where generations are brought together and introduced, or reintroduced. I love seeing a resemblance in faces spread out across the family tree.
LikeLike
It is priceless to me MBC. As I know you are imagining there in Ohio. Thank you. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I only met my mil after meeting my hubby, and she was lovely, I miss her a lot. Lovely reunion for you and yours xx
LikeLike
Thank you, Vonita. I’m glad I got my chance here now at last. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the 3 sisters photo…it speaks volumes. Happy times. ☺
LikeLike
Yes, I think that one needs three frames, Van. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, this is all kind of crazy with relations popping up out of the blue. My immediate family is pretty small but I know I have lots of cousins all over the place. Can’t imagine what a reunion would be like after all these years. Ha, ha, nothing beats NY pizza. I think it’s something about the water.
LikeLike
Get all those cousins together for some New York pizza, Marissa. Wouldn’t that be something? 🙂
LikeLike
You’d have to give the pizza guy a pretty big tip.
LikeLike
Looks and sounds like a perfectly wonderful family reunion in Colorado! I wish ya’ll safe traveling and lots of great fun!
LikeLike
Thank you, PJ. We are rockng it. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It looks like you’re all having a wonderful time–especially your lovely wife! It looks like a great setting, too.
Several years ago, my sisters and I discovered some second cousins we didn’t know about, and we all got together a few times. One of sisters still keeps in touch with some of them.
LikeLike
It’s good that you met them at least that one time, Merril, and that one of your sisters keeps in touch. We are all enjoying the long overdue reunion here, thank you. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks like a good time! Although I’ve been able to see my cousin and her sons many times, I never have met her daughter. It’s really weird, but I just never catch her, at her place or mine. I look forward to that 🙂
LikeLike
Yes, that will be fun to actually meet her for the first time, Joey. Timing is everything.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awesome photos Mark. Such a family resemblance. And everyone seems to be so happy.
LikeLike
Yes, they all look alike, I agree, Paul. 🙂 Happy here.
LikeLike
I’m sensing a song lyric theme for titles in your Rocky Mountain adventure posts, Mark, can’t wait to see your next title and yes, that is a bit of a gentle challenge from me! Until then have fun and
‘Get your motor runnin’
Head out on the highway
Looking for adventure
In whatever comes (y)our way’ ❤
Diana xo
LikeLike
Thanks, Diana. I love your inner Wild Child. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love Estes park but haven’t been there in 30+ years. Have fun.
LikeLike
Thanks, Amy. I bet the village is built up since you’ve been here.
LikeLike
Looks like you are having a great time!!!! Did you drive to Colorado? Unfortunately, my relatives are scattered around the world, mostly in England, Wales and Australia, so I haven’t met many of them at all. And my poor kids haven’t met any of the relatives on my side – which sucks. Can’t wait to see more pictures of Estes Park and your family. Say Hello to them for me!!!!
LikeLike
You are in a tough spot, family wise, S.D. I feel badly for you and your children for the widespread challenge of meeting up. Sigh.
We flew out here. It would have taken too long to drive from Syracuse, vacation-day wise.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Of course. We did that drive from Colorado Springs to Boston and then back. Quite a haul!
LikeLike
Dearest Terp-sing along with me I’m at the piano: All my life though some have changed some forever not for better, some have gone and some remain…Beatles Fan are YOU? Looks like Karen and her sisters are having a blast so happy for you all!! The Gatorette!!!
LikeLike
Yes, I borrowed a Beatles line for my headline. Good work, Gatorette. We are all having a good time up here in God’s country. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wunderbaar!!! You trying to fool me with song lyrics Terp???
LikeLike
Never, Gatorette.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And……yes you would to! Stay safe! Gatorette.
LikeLike
I love the family resemblance in Karen, Janna, and Lynne. I haven’t met any relatives years later, Mark, but I have met brothers from other mothers, like you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are correct on both accounts, Ann. Thank you so much for your wonderful observational powers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just a lovely post. Estes Park in July is just about the best place to attend a gathering of your Tribe!
So many happy smiling faces. Thank you for sharing.
LikeLike
We are finding it perfectly lovely, JoHanna. Thanks so much!
LikeLiked by 1 person