We saw a lot of nice merch in Estes Park and Denver.
Of course, when you’ve got one checked bag each and carry on each that you’re going to lug on the plane at Denver, through the airport for the layover in Atlanta and then back home to Syracuse, you’re not going to try to pack that big painting or …
Anyway, I think my dear wife Karen and I did good for each other and from daughter Elisabeth and boyfriend George Three regarding our souvenirs from the first Family Reunion in Colorado.
That’s mine. That, too.
Karen just had to buy me this pair of socks of all those offered in the sock store on East Elkhorn Avenue. And I will wear them with pride. Thank you, my dear wife.
Click on any gallery photo for a description. Click on the right photo for an enlarged slide show.
The hat I’m wearing proudly above was a surprise gift from Elisabeth and George while we were attending the Colorado Rockies 17-7 victory over the Cincinnati Reds at Coors Field. I have been wearing the cool cap since.
The long-sleeved T-shirt I picked out and purchased myself. I’ll wear it with pride in the cooler months here in the Little Bitty in the Syracuse city neighborhood of Eastwood, bringing back memories of our three trips to our Rocky Mountain National Park and the fantastic and quite different time we had each of the visits.
The chimes mobile above Karen and I chose together from dozens swinging in a display in one East Elkhorn Avenue store. It was compact enough to pack, yet big enough to say First Trip to the Rocky Mountains. And we already love it on display on our screened back porch.
My dear wife Karen’s pride.
My dear wife Karen and I joined Elisabeth and George in one fine jewelry store, and my wonderful daughter pointed out an Estes Park charm she wanted for her already bustling bracelet to George.
In the meantime, Karen and I slid over a display, and I asked her what she’d like to wear forever as a memory of her first Family Reunion. She selected a quite pretty Love Bracelet, which I purchased for my lovely bride. When we walked out of the store, George and Elisabeth handed Karen another box. They’d slyly bought Karen the same bracelet Elisabeth has, with the Estes Park charm on it, as thanks for bringing them to the Family Reunion. We love those kids.
Tomorrow: What I learned at the first Family Reunion
What kind of souvenirs do you usually bring home, and why? What’s your favorite souvenir ever, and why? What’s your favorite surprise gift given and received, and why?
Mark Bialczak 
nice socks hehehe 😀
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They’re mine, no arguing that point, my friend! 😉
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I’ve heard of writing your name on your underwear, but those socks may be the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen!
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At least my mama didn’t write it on there for me, Bill. 🙂
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Very nice ‘goods’ you brought back from your trip! How wonderful that you treated your beautiful wife to the bracelet and how nice of the kids to surprise her with another bracelet! Lot’s of generosity in your family. 🙂
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Yes, my dear wife Karen deserved these gifts for setting up this trip so fabulously, and springing for so much as well! We all were so thankful, Mrs. B.
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The socks are awesome, but all of them are good finds.
I like to bring home Christmas ornaments, and also bottles of wine.
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I would always find a way to break a Christmas ornament, Jay, or drink the bottle of wine before arrival at home. 😉
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what great socks. and the other stuff too. i always like to pick a few special things to bring back that make me remember how special the holiday was.
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Loving all those souvenirs Mark – great choices, especially the socks! ❤
Diana xo
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For when I put one foot in front of the other, hey, Schwenkie? ❤
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so they don’t get lost in the dryer! Bialczaker!:D
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Bro Mark, I love those socks! I think that would be my choice if I ever travel again, but mostly I collect tee shirts. My sis brings me tees, jackets and bags, charms or hats from Ireland, plus her fantastic fotos. I also tend to collect pens, with the names of the place emblazoned on the side. Most of them are dried up and never write, but I still love them, frustrating as they are. And, of course, post cards with pictures of the places I didn’t get to go while I was there. At one time I could scan those to my computer, add my photo, and suddenly I was in the picture.
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You are a scanner genius, sis Angie! Put yourself everywhere, indeed. 🙂
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I can also make myself 40 years younger at the same time bro Mark. Losing weight makes me look like a hag.
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No, never, sis Angie, could you ever be considered a hag.
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I need to hang around you more bro Mark. I do have to look in the mirror occasionally, and I really need to regain some weight.
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You can do it, all of that, sis Angie. 🙂
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LOL. The socks are the best!
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Yes, I will be a cool cat with those on, Cate. 🙂
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Your socks are hilarious! And the chimes are cool! And so are the hat, shirt, and jewelry! You did good, Mark! :d
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Yes, we did good, Rachel. Thank you!
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Beautiful bracelet (or is that two separate pieces?) and I love the socks. My only problem is…what if you lose the one that says “mark’s sock”? Is the other one still “Mark’s other sock??”
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Two separate bracelets, Rachel. 🙂 And I am under pressure not to lose either sock. ❤
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Rachel…Marissa…two bracelets…one sock…who’s counting??!
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Dang, Marissa. You are not the premonition-heavy Ms. Carerra yet or still or ever, are you? 😉
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Not quite!
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I love the socks! I don’t have any special type of souvenir I buy. It depends on the place, and how much I can afford. I often buy postcards though–to keep as souvenirs, not to send.
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Postcards make great keepsakes, Merril, I agree. 🙂
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wow you guys did good! you wear blue well Mark! Love the wind chimes, the jewelry- everything! Years ago I would buy a lot of things when I traveled, but I amasses so much that now I rarely buy anything. I did always like to buy something handmade by someone from the region I was visiting. It meant more to me then.
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I have cut way back as well, Lisa. -) And thank you very much for your kind compliment, my frend.
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It is always extra special to bring back souvenirs to compliment your memories, Mark. I like the idea of jewelry and wind chimes. T shirts may fade or get spilled on but these may last for years! My girlfriend Jenny sprays a coat or two of clear acrylic on her metal sculptures and wind chimes to prevent rusting. I don’t have a yard but have passed this helpful hint on a few times! 🙂
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That is a good tip, Robin. I hope these chimes of ours are protected under the roof our or porch, as well. 🙂
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Oh, this is great to be under the porch roof, Mark. 🙂
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I think you look good in blue.
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You are so nice to me, Kerbey. Thanks. What a wonderful Monday morning comment, my friend.
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I love mugs! 🙂 And books! I usually buy local books. My best surprise gift? My first grandchild! 🙂
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Perfect surprise gift, though I do want to hear how that was kept from you until delivery, MBC!
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Well, it wasn’t kept from me until the deilvery. But the delivery of the news it’s self was THE best surprise gift EVER!
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What nice souvenirs! That’s part of the fun when going on vacation – getting memorabilia of the trip!
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Just delighted Mark you and the Family had such a great memorable time at the 1st reunion! Loveeeeeee the socks! The gang brought pebbles and rocks home from the Georgia Mountain creek bed-remember! My most memorable gift or surprise was in Greece for our 12th anniversary at the end of April/May 2015. A 24K gold Greek Coin made into a pendant! I wear it proudly. Just not in our pool. LOL I too love magnets they reside on our extra refrigerator! That’s all folks…The Gatorette.
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I do remember the pebbles and rocks, Gatorette. Very thoughtful. That gold Greek coin better not end up in some pool filter, Cheryl! 😉
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Yes, that is so true Mark, have a great Monday my friend.
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Which one will go missing in the laundry: Mark’s Sock or Mark’s Other Sock?
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Yes, which will the monster choose to snack upon first, Scott?
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That’s exactly what I was thinking! 🙂
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Me, too, don’t you think twice about it, Merril.
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Love the socks and the T-shirt with the moose on it. I rarely bring souvenirs home, other than the photos. I did bring back a hairbrush from Carmel. They have this old-timey drug store where they sell Mason Pearson brushes, my husband bought me one (they are hard to find).
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That’s part souvenir, part I-need-it-want-it, SD. 🙂
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I always bring a fridge magnet home or a giant toblerone from the duty free!
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Fridge magnets stick in my mind, Melissa. And to our fridge. 🙂 I don’t have anyy giant toblerones, though. 😮
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I might be the worst consumer, ever. Or maybe I’m just cheap. My only souvenirs are the photos…those, I cherish. ☺
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Those are great souvenirs, Van. Remember when we had to pay to get prints of those? 😉
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I remember mailing them away and waiting for a week or more to get them back in those brown envelopes ! ☺
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Yes, I do remember that. Also the thrill of the first drive-through Photo Huts. 😉
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For the last five years, Mark, my son Aaron and I look for snow globes to bring home for my boyfriend, Michael. Otherwise, I tend to focus on sightseeing, not buying. Great merch, though, especially those socks!
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Snow globes! That’s very cool, Ann.
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I wouldn’t collect snow globes, Mark, because we get way too much friggin’ snow around here already, but Michael loves them.
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Colorado? First family reunion? I’ve got some catching up to do here! Will there be a second family reunion? How do I get an invite? 😀 Can I expect a gift? I’ll take the cool tshirt. PS: Aiden leaves for college in Colorado today ⚾️👊 Have a great week, Mark, and give Karen a hug from me ❤️
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You do have some catching up to do, Angie McFly, and … Welcome Home! 😉 Second Family Reunion will be in two years, maybe Hawaii. Yes, you can come. Aiden is so smart to pick a college in Colorado. I’m on to your place to read. Have a great week, and hugs back to Arizona. ❤
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Great socks. You could always use them on those bad memory days
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I agree, Benson! Wait … why are those socks good for bad memory days?
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I love those socks. I would never find my name, but I could find The Mister’s!
I’d generally choose a hoodie or a long-sleeve tee, clothes-wise, but I’d rather have something more permanent. Sounds odd, but I pick things I’ll see everyday. Sometimes pieces of jewelry, like charms or earrings, but sometimes a beautiful serving platter or even an umbrella. Things that will always take me back. (And I always snag postcards!)
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I’m glad MDW Karen snagged me those socks, Joey. They only had a few names, so we all were amazed that Mark was among them!
Permanent is good, which we feel about the chimes and the charm/bracelets. Also, the side of our fridge is full of magnets, of which we buy one at every vacation destination to mark the occasion forever. 🙂
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