Families Are Forever...Especially When There Are Lemon Bars Involved

 Even if we're enduring the last days of the wettest season since 1977, I still feel summer on the horizon when the front door is flung wide open and a party is going on inside.  The Dopp family had our annual spaghetti dinner tonight after visiting the graves.  We were lucky enough to run into Uncle Marlin and his family at the cemetery and they all graciously joined us.  Everybody felt Aunt Ann's absence acutely, and it was really good to be together.  The Dopp cousins had a great time incorporating Jennifer and Anthony's and Annette and Dan's kids into the mix.  I think the big kids made some plans for more get-togethers, so the adults will have to find out what, exactly, those plans are!

 Tolly told me, "I need a 'mote!"  So I gave him something that looked like a remote and away he went, dancing with the others on the Just Dance game.

Click here for Jackson's dance moves 2011 
And HERE!

 Bruce and Marlin

 "I need a 'mote!"

Michelle made mac and cheese and spaghetti as well as killer "Milky Way and Sea Salt" Rice Crispy Treats.  They were so good, I had to capitalize the whole title.  With the Hills joining us, we thought for a minute we might not have enough food, but then we remembered:  We're Dopps.  We could feed the whole neighborhood at any given time.  Marlene, in addition to the brownies she brought, even had an extra sheet of lemon bars and a coconut cake in her car.  I mean, who travels with an extra sheet of lemon bars and a coconut cake?  Marlene.  I don't know how she does it, but she is the embodiment of Mary Poppins' purse.  She always has what you need and is equipped to handle any situation with ease and grace.  I want to be just like her when I grow up!  Michelle definitely got the Feed an Army gene.  Right after everyone left tonight, she started preparing her famous Frog Eye Salad for Lagoon Day tomorrow.  (Which is actually going to be Picnic at Grandma's House Day because of the rain.)  Anyway, she said, "I can't remember if I usually put one box of pasta in or two."  I said, "It's two.  When would it ever be one of anything?"

I don't know if it's the food that keeps the family together, or just that we love each other, but whatever it is, my kids were so excited about going to Grandma's house tomorrow that they weren't even sad that Lagoon Day is rained out.  Whatever Grandma put in those Lemon Bars, it's working!  Grandma and Grandpa, thanks for keeping all of our traditions alive and well and amply stocked with good food and treats!  We love ya!