Happy Birthday Uncle John

On Friday night we were invited over to my Dad’s house for dinner. We had be planning on getting together for a couple of weeks. When my Dad asked if we could come over I asked him if he had invited his brother to join us since it was his birthday. My Dad made the call and we were lucky enough to get to spend the evening with Uncle John on his 81st birthday.

And since it was at my Dad’s house that meant burgers on the grill and s’mores over the fire pit.

It was nice getting to spend time with Uncle John. Here he is with his “little” brother.

Here is a picture from a couple of years ago my Dad and his brothers.

There is Uncle Lonnie, my Dad, Uncle John, Uncle JD and Uncle Art. I don’t know which of my cousins the younger boys are. I love this picture. It is so classic 1950’s. And check out my Dad’s hair (that is one of the things my Mom fell in love with, his curl on his forehead).

Of these brothers only my Dad and Uncle John are still living.

I grew up on the Turley Ranch in Mesa. Uncle John managed the ranch and my Dad worked for him on the ranch and farmed whatever land Uncle John had and worked nights at Reynolds’ Metal. He wasn’t home very often and we kids we ran wild on the ranch. One of my favorite things to do was visit Uncle John and Aunt Kathleen’s house. Uncle John had a heart attack when I was about 6 or 7 and I remember getting to go up the hospital to visit him. I don’t know why I was lucky enough to get to go with my Mom and Dad, but I remember how scared I was to see him so sick and in the hospital…until he showed me that he had white knee socks just like mine and then I felt like he was going to be okay. For some reason white knee socks made everything better!

My Mom and my Aunt Kathleen have passed away and these brother have remarried.

Here is Aunt Juanita, Uncle John, my Dad and Barbara.

I sure love these guys!

And do you see where I get my multiple chins from?!? Hmmmm…