The kids really loved going to Uncle Daves' house (or his wife Karens' house), especially since they had animals. They loved the aquarium and Kaylie even took it upon herself to name all of their fish.
Karen was a natural with kids and a very kind person. We had a great time getting to know her and the rest of the gang. They made great hosts and we felt welcomed and comfortable. We were a little worried that the kids would be busy destroying their house, but all in all they were so occupied with the dog, Molly, and the toys Karen got out, that they were rather well behaved and tame.
It was nice for me to finally meet some of Nathan's cousins. Since his mother only has one sibling, there are not too many Feikert cousins, and unfortunately they live so far away that the cousins don't really know eachother very well at all. I feel the same way about most of my cousins. I feel united in blood, but don't ask me to tell you their favorite things to do, eat or say are! I wish I knew my cousins better, and I'm sure that Nathan feels the same way. Family truly is the most important relationships we can have in life, and we feel a greater need to connect and to get to know them better. That was one of the main reasons for going to New York, to reach out to the Feikert line and feel a connection that has been lacking. This picture shows cousin Dave, that Nate likes to call "Dave Cave", he seems like a very nice and sweet guy.
We were sad that we couldn't make it to the wedding last year to officially welcome Karen into the family, but grateful that she willingly and lovingly let us into her home and welcomed our children as well. She is an elementary school teacher and is very good with kids, to our benefit. She made us feel very welcome and happy to come, rather than some of the homes we could visit where we'd feel on egg-shells with our young ones. It was really nice to get to meet her and learn more about her. Uncle Dave did a great job at picking this one!
Uncle Dave, Christian, Dave, and Nathan.
Christian (16), Dave (27), and Ryan (23). It was nice to see Nathan playing some basketball and trying to bond with his cousins. The younger two are rugby players and seemed like ladies-men like their father. They were nice young men and it was good to meet them and try to get to know them better. Nate asked them about the memories that they had about the Clarks and their aunt Cindy, but only Dave could come up with any. I wish that there was a way to get to know our relatives better in this life. I guess facebook has been a good first step with Dave, but we still need to go a little further!
New York pizza, antipasto salad (my new favorite), shrimp, fresh vegetables, and chips with salsa! What a feast. I have heard all sorts of things about NY pizza since I've been a Clark. It was good, but I don't know that I would rave about it as much as I have heard from the Clarks. It didn't taste that much different than any "western" pizza I've had, except maybe more greasy. The kids had a great time eating and seemed to especially enjoy the shrimp and chips with salsa.
Karen let the girls play in her tupperware and they had a great time making hats and drums. I was so grateful that Karen loved the kids and treated them like her own. What a sweet heart!
After dinner, Uncle Dave was kind enough to show us a lot of pictures and the book that he had started to compile about his mother, Mary Feikert. It was really neat to hear his stories (he's a great story teller) and to see pictures that even Nathan hadn't seen of his mother and grandmother. We hope that he can finish his book, as it would be a great legacy to pass on to younger generations. Mary was a beautiful woman and seemed like a nice mother. Uncle Dave explained things about Cindy and her childhood that helped us understand her better and why she reacts to her family the way she does. It was an good eye-opening evening. Nathan and I were amazed at how much Dave acted, looked, and sounded like his father, Al Feikert. It was fun to see the similarities.
Naming and feeding the fish
Nathan and the Feikert gang just before we left for our hotel.
Karen and I traded places. We were so glad that we drove the extra few hours to see the family. It was well worth our time and effort. Family is always worth it! WE loved the Feikerts and had a great time eating and talking with them. I hope that they felt our love and I feel like they appreciated our visit. I know that Uncle Dave wishes he was closer to his sister and that there is a little void in his life from not staying in better contact with her.
The kids really loved going to Uncle Daves' house (or his wife Karens' house), especially since they had animals. They loved the aquarium and Kaylie even took it upon herself to name all of their fish.
Karen was a natural with kids and a very kind person. We had a great time getting to know her and the rest of the gang. They made great hosts and we felt welcomed and comfortable. We were a little worried that the kids would be busy destroying their house, but all in all they were so occupied with the dog, Molly, and the toys Karen got out, that they were rather well behaved and tame.
It was nice for me to finally meet some of Nathan's cousins. Since his mother only has one sibling, there are not too many Feikert cousins, and unfortunately they live so far away that the cousins don't really know eachother very well at all. I feel the same way about most of my cousins. I feel united in blood, but don't ask me to tell you their favorite things to do, eat or say are! I wish I knew my cousins better, and I'm sure that Nathan feels the same way. Family truly is the most important relationships we can have in life, and we feel a greater need to connect and to get to know them better. That was one of the main reasons for going to New York, to reach out to the Feikert line and feel a connection that has been lacking. This picture shows cousin Dave, that Nate likes to call "Dave Cave", he seems like a very nice and sweet guy. 
We were sad that we couldn't make it to the wedding last year to officially welcome Karen into the family, but grateful that she willingly and lovingly let us into her home and welcomed our children as well. She is an elementary school teacher and is very good with kids, to our benefit. She made us feel very welcome and happy to come, rather than some of the homes we could visit where we'd feel on egg-shells with our young ones. It was really nice to get to meet her and learn more about her. Uncle Dave did a great job at picking this one!
Uncle Dave, Christian, Dave, and Nathan.
Christian (16), Dave (27), and Ryan (23). It was nice to see Nathan playing some basketball and trying to bond with his cousins. The younger two are rugby players and seemed like ladies-men like their father. They were nice young men and it was good to meet them and try to get to know them better. Nate asked them about the memories that they had about the Clarks and their aunt Cindy, but only Dave could come up with any. I wish that there was a way to get to know our relatives better in this life. I guess facebook has been a good first step with Dave, but we still need to go a little further!
New York pizza, antipasto salad (my new favorite), shrimp, fresh vegetables, and chips with salsa! What a feast. I have heard all sorts of things about NY pizza since I've been a Clark. It was good, but I don't know that I would rave about it as much as I have heard from the Clarks. It didn't taste that much different than any "western" pizza I've had, except maybe more greasy. The kids had a great time eating and seemed to especially enjoy the shrimp and chips with salsa.
Karen let the girls play in her tupperware and they had a great time making hats and drums. I was so grateful that Karen loved the kids and treated them like her own. What a sweet heart!
After dinner, Uncle Dave was kind enough to show us a lot of pictures and the book that he had started to compile about his mother, Mary Feikert. It was really neat to hear his stories (he's a great story teller) and to see pictures that even Nathan hadn't seen of his mother and grandmother. We hope that he can finish his book, as it would be a great legacy to pass on to younger generations. Mary was a beautiful woman and seemed like a nice mother. Uncle Dave explained things about Cindy and her childhood that helped us understand her better and why she reacts to her family the way she does. It was an good eye-opening evening. Nathan and I were amazed at how much Dave acted, looked, and sounded like his father, Al Feikert. It was fun to see the similarities.
Naming and feeding the fish
Nathan and the Feikert gang just before we left for our hotel.
Karen and I traded places. We were so glad that we drove the extra few hours to see the family. It was well worth our time and effort. Family is always worth it! WE loved the Feikerts and had a great time eating and talking with them. I hope that they felt our love and I feel like they appreciated our visit. I know that Uncle Dave wishes he was closer to his sister and that there is a little void in his life from not staying in better contact with her.
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