Wow! It must have been one of the greatest impromptu family get-togethers of all time: 24 of us from five states and coast to coast! Ten households. Two new babies seeing their great grandmother for the first time. Nine-month-old Caroline Findlay Hill saying "Bah" to the whole mess. Eight-month-old Anjali (pronounced UN' juh lee) Grace Bhargava being overwhelmed by it all, even though she already is a world traveler (3 times across the U.S. to Boston, once to Europe). Great grandma Grace being more overwhelmed than the babies, but having the experience of her lifetime (outside of league bowling at age 94). And all of it as the result of Michael's decision to give Vanita a break (to work, she claimed) and take Anjali to see her namesake.

We congregated at Kirk and Amy's house in Indianapolis, even though the male host was ice fishing in Canada, and the hostess was in bed with a migraine. But Amy prepared the house and all the hors d'oeuvres before she took sick. And she was able to show up near the end for games and greeting everybody. We also missed Lauren who was sick with the flu in San Francisco, after being part of the original travel group. And, of course, we missed John and Lois, Jock and Debbie, Jason, and Megan (who was at Purdue). Everybody else was here except Jessica Phares' fiance Josh, who was saving lives in Terre Haute. Celia fixed her prized lasagne and was in general charge of the food. Kevin was the official photographer.

The delegation lists were as follows: West Coast Friedlys — Michael and Anjali Bhargava of San Francisco, and Janna Friedly of Seattle. Duncan, Allie and Caroline Hill of Charlottesville, Virginia. Tom and Barbarie Hill of Cincinnati. Great Grandma Grace of Robin Run Village, Indianapolis. Celia and Bob. Amy, Jesi, Jake and Caroline. Kevin, Lenore and Colleen. Jessica Phares. Kim, Mark, and Morgan Watkins and Sara and Tony Lopez-Fajardo. Two cats, a black rabbit and Caroline Grace's stuffed monkey, "George."

Thanks for a once-in-a-lifetime occasion, folks!

Celia and Bob