RumposInc.com: Travels to see family and say good-bye to Dad

We did a lot of traveling at the beginning of January the long days around Mary Ann's Dad's services. Gus was glad to see his Grammy Lu, his Grandma Kathy, and his Grandpa Dennis and his wife Bonnie, and his uncle Jason along with all of his great aunts and uncles (his Grandpa Phil's sisters and their husbands) and all of his cousins of various degrees. More, he also got to meet Grandpa Phil's closest friends, including his honorary great uncle John, who lives in Tennessee and knew Mary Ann's dad for 60 years and is who he retired with. Not in all of these pictures are Mary Ann's dear friends from college, who all came down for services, honorary aunties and uncles for sure--along with their children. There was a lot of reunion, and it made a hard time really lovely, and Gus is still talking about all the good folks that he met and played with. Most of these pictures come from an event the evening before Grandpa Phil's services where close family got together to remember and share pictures and stories and pizza and (Dad's favorite) cocoa-cola. It was the kind of thing that Dad loved, and we so wish he could see all the pictures.

Gus had such a good traveling spirit the whole time. Here he is showing off what is now a spectacular mullet. Perfect for Eldorado, KS.

The above two are of John exercising his horses in Tennessee, and Gus trying out his seat. Bristol is where Dad retired to have fun on John's farm.

Best accommodations on the road ever--grandma's house! Enjoying the morning with Grandma Kathy on the way down.

Lunch with Grammy Lu and Uncle Jason--obviously lots of fun.

Conducting a chair train with Mary Ann's cousin Genevieve's children Ava and Ella and their Grandpa (Mary Ann's uncle) Rick. Gus and Ava really grew to be best buddies over the trip.

Mary Ann's Aunt Cindy (Phil's sister) and Matt.

Telling stories about Dad--John and his wife Liz, Dad's good friend Chris, and Aunt Pam (also Phil's sister).

Mary Ann's cousin Tammy (Pam and Larry's daughter) and her daughter Chloe.

Aunt Cindy, Mary Ann's cousin Danny (Pam and Larry's son), and in the background--Uncle Bob (Cindy's husband).

Ava and Ella with Mary Ann's cousin Genevieve. Genevieve is Rick and Debbie's (also Dad's sister) daughter and is the same age as Mary Ann. Her girls are just lovely.

Mary Ann's Aunt Susan (Dad's sister) with Mary Ann's best friend of many, many years, also named Susan. They have a special bond.

Mary Ann's aunt Debbie (Dad's sister).

Gus with Tammy's son Christian. Cousins are fun!

Dad's dear friends Steve and Joyce and Genevieve's husband Charles.

Dad's buddies Chris and John.

Mary Ann's cousin Vanessa (Susan's daughter--another one of Dad's sisters) with Tammy's son Christian and Danny's daughter Ashley.

Mary Ann's cousin David (Pam and Larry's son) who had just welcomed his fourth child with his wife Chris. Seated next to him is his sister-in-law, Angie (Danny's wife).