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she helped me get ready for my trip to Wisconsin.

I took Devin to work at 8:30am as normal.

Nat, Joey and Kristin came and got me at around 9:15 am, the first time I believe they have seen our house.

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Every year our families including the Lapps, the LeBeaus and ourselves have been getting together once a year at a camping site.

 I am not sure if the location has always been the same, though I do know that the place we were going had been used for this trip the year before. 

We left for the airport which is just 5-10 minutes from my house. I have issues of being closed in places, a small case of cluster phobia if you will.

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This includes airplanes, I think this may have something to do with the lack of control of the piloting, not that I could fly at all.

Anyway, I pain-stakingly got through that part, I sat next to Nat in the 4th row with Joey and Kristin right behind us in the 5th row. When we got to Milwaukee Nat rented a car and we were off to Crystal Lake in Lodi, WI.

 Lodi is located about 15 miles north of Madison, my hometown state Capital. We arrived at the campground around 3-4pm. We saw Heather, Albert Lapp's step-daughter first, she explained were we needed to go and confirmed we were in the right place.

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As we walk towards the campground, the first thing we see is a miniature golf course followed by stairs leading down towards Crystal Lake.

To the right is a swimming pool and behind the pool were campers which some of the immediate ones were of our Lapp families.

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 Towards the left was were the LeBeaus had there campers and tents, it is also where Barry, Lynn, Logan and Tara were dwelling. Straight ahead was sand that lead up to a volleyball net, eventually taking you to the camp shore of the lake. Off the right side of the volleyball net were "Yurts".

I know several of us had never heard of the word before this day, it will be used several times in the next few days to come. A yurt is a tent-like structure. though much larger and much more accommodating. Our right sat about 15-20 feet from the volleyball net. It had enough room for 12 people.

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Our yurt included a television, a sink, AC, and several beds. It is round though tepees up at the top with a small circular sky view directly through the middle. This was our home for the next 3 days.

Among the people that were there at this point were; Randy, Barry, Logan, Tara, and Glenn Jamieson and the ones I traveled with; Joey, Nat, Kristin and myself, Evan and Casey Taylor, Don, Dan, Loraine, Chad, Drake and Mary LeBeau, Albert, Wendy, Heather (who had brought 2 friends with her, Kenny, and Sue Lapp (a friend came with her as well), as well as her daughter Randi and her son Alex.

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Though attempting to cover all the names that came during these three days also included; Samantha Jamieson and Charlie Moffit, Rusty Lapp, his daughter Angela and her children; Tim and Tess Lapp; Albert Lapp's son Bill and his wife Tiffany; Chad and Neveah Balogh and Nicole Berg; Jerry friend of the family and best friend to Albert lapp.

 Lisa Lapp and her husband....drawing a blank on his name at the moment though he was a fixture there being the only one of us on crutches, he had hurt himself just before coming on the trip (remembering later on this, his name is John; also Bobbi Jo and her husband; Nathan and Krista Liss and MacKayla, as well as Ericka Jamieson and her boyfriend Kyle, Eddy Lapp, Shannon and her husband Hill and there 2 children Asher and Sarah.

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I'm sure I have forgotten someone, I am going on pure recollection right now. Only 3 of my brothers didn't have representation there; John, Todd and Jay, though I think we took that role to represent for the remaining brothers. 

We settled in and before too long we were walking around meeting family, some I hadn't seen in nearly 20 years.

I spent most of my first day there reacquainting myself and playing volleyball. A lot of our family is out-going and had no problem catching up and doing things together.

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I tended to find my comfort zone immediately being around people like dad, Charlie, Samantha, Joey, Kristin and Nat; though I believe I had talked to everyone there.

Towards the nighttime it began to thunder heavily and the rain began to pour down on the campground. The one thing our yurt did not have was a bathroom.

Our closest bathroom was about 100 feet away near the swimming pool area. Like myself, most everyone was walking around with a beerful gut, this rain was sure to make for an interesting night.

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Most people went to there sleeping quarters somewhat early; the last ones up around us were dwindling when Samantha got a little sick from drinking vodka.

The last 4 up were Joey, Kristin, Charlie and myself who spent most of the midnight hours in the bathroom where it was dry and away from the ones asleep.

It was like being in school and young again, "smokin in the boys room". I inevitably was the last one asleep maybe on the entire campsite at Crystal Lake.

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July 27th, 2007- We all woke up between 6-7am. Samantha and Glenn went to get breakfast, the rest of us sat outside the yurt, which I had begun calling the Y-12, because it fits 12. "The Yurty Dozen". Again we played a lot of volleyball.

I went swimming in the lake with Samantha, Charlie, Joey and Kristen and then in the swimming pool.

I was able to talk more to cousins I haven't seen and it is comforting to know these people are out there. I had gotten close to people I wasn't sure if they were even familiar of who I was, and all together I had no issues with anyone.

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 I talked a lot with my cousin Randi who has been living in Washington for many years. She is about 2 years older, we got along as children though basically 20 years had separated our communication.

 I enjoyed the time I spent with her. Also, I was nice to know my cousin Rusty who I had never had a chance to get to know before this. Most of my cousins are 15-25 years older than I am so at 12 years old you can imagine why now at 32 this is a whole new experience.

 Rusty's daughter Angie (Angela) I went to school with somewhere in the late 1980s. Last time I saw her she was a rather popular girl in our school where as I was not in the loop so to speak.

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Although she had never shown anything negative towards me back then i was smart enough to not put her on the spot of our relation. Saying that, it was great to see her and to get a chance to talk really for the first time, ironically a few people mentioned how closely we looked like brother and sister.

I have to believe it is the dominant eyes we all got from our Lapp ancestors. It was enjoyable hanging out with my brothers and father as well, we all enjoy being around family.

Tara's and Casey's birthday were shared on this day. I noticed Casey had taken a back-seat on the celebrations to ensure Tara felt this special day, it didn't go unnoticed, most of us were aware of her sacrifice.

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 We had cake in the Y-12 and sang, Tara seemed very pleased that her birthday was amongst all these people.

Chad and Neveah, followed by Nicole came around 6pm; while I was playing a solo game of miniature golf.

We played more volleyball; it is interesting to watch some of us play; Barry is coaching everyone, dad is getting frustrated by comments being made, Chad B. was being a motor mouth, it was entertaining to say the least. 

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At night we all got together around Don and Loraine's area where we circled a campfire over 50+ people at times. Rusty, Tess son, Chad B., Samantha, Nicole and myself provided music and sing-a-long songs.

Most everyone seemed to like finding different people to talk to through out the night attempting to associate with not just the people sitting next to you.

Again, I found myself being about the last one awake, including Nicole, Barry, Lynn, and Bobbi Jo.

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July 28th, 2007- Again, wake up time was around 6am. I have been getting about 2-3 hours every night, and actually doing well with the lack of sleep. We cleaned up and took our showers, only to get sandy from volleyball shortly later.

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A bunch of us played, it seemed like this was what we all mutually liked doing. As well, we took boat rides on a pontoon which Albert had provided.

On this day, Shannon Lapp and her family showed up. I was very anxious to see her it had been many years. Our timelines in the family are similar being the youngest and out of the generation gaps, we only differ a couple years in age. 

Nat talked me into a boat ride; it was nice to get out on the lake for a while. 

Again, at night we all circled around a campfire, this time in front of the Y-12. Keep in mind that during this trip they could have supplied a stadium of beer for we are not amongst lightweights in this family.

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 With the exception of the first day, I did not drink myself but I did smoke a lot, and didn't fall short from enjoying this experience.

Ericka, Kyle, Nathan and Krista and MacKayla came around 6-7pm. Everyone was so happy to see them, it was a surprise to many of them. I had been talking to Krista about this prior to the trip though I basically kept the conversations between us in case they weren't able to come.

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They played volleyball with us as well and I believe the 2 girls won every game they played. They stayed for a few hours; I am hoping to see them again soon. 

My cousin Kenny I had also not spoken a whole bunch to before this trip. Though he made me feel really good after we talked and had a heart-to-heart; he is missing my brother Scott like the rest of us. 

Our family began to drop like flies through out the night; ending with the last, Joey, Kenny, and Kristin. The last ones awake were Nicole, then I went down. Jerry went down, leaving Barry and Lynn has the last ones awake.

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 In waking hours I would have to say Barry and I were at that campground longer than anyone. Knowing this was the last night, it was just hard to end it. 

July 29th, 2007- Waking at around 6am, we all began to pack up our things and clean the Y-12, which Nat did most of.

Most of us went for breakfast, while Nat and I stayed back to get things done we needed. Casey and Evan left around 8:30am, I didn't get to say goodbye to them. At around 10:30am; the remaining family from Y-12 made a round through the campground to say there goodbyes to everyone. 

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Dad seemed to really enjoy himself, he played a lot of volleyball and I know the rest of us were sore, he must have been wore out.

 It was nice to see him around mom's family, they all get along so well.

Samantha had made this trip possible for me. About a month ago I had no intention of going because of everything in my life is at a go right now. Though she mentioned several times she wanted me to be there and it meant a lot to know it even mattered to her.

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 Of course I wanted to see everyone, I think about my family all the time and I have so much pride for my Lapps, LeBeaus and Jamieson groups. My child will know, this is who your gang is......this is your people.

So this is a time when someone else stuck there neck out to try to keep this group intact, me this time. As well as Barry and Nat and everyone else who wanted me to be there.

I do a lot to maintain our closeness, especially within the generations that are now forming, it is comforting to know I am being formed in there as well. 

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This camping trip was a lifetime experience for me; I only regret my wife couldn't be there, though we will be ready for another one, to show off our boy, the next piece to our family puzzle.

Also, today is Thomas "Jamieson" Diest birthday, he turns 31.

I have also noticed in the airport waiting for the plane that I was coming down with something; eventually this turned into a cough, a mess of a chest cold.

July 30th, 2007- Scott would be turning 52 today. Several times through out our trip we all talked of Scott and about Scott. Barry made several toasts to Scott and we played the crap out of his songs that we are so proud of.

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How surreal is that......one year later and we are together; his step-son and myself playing his songs on the guitar, 2 of his daughters singing his songs together, along with his father, brothers and cousins; even nieces and nephews. I hope Scott and Mom know how much they are loved;  

Missy's mother Carmen went into the hospital today. She is getting a surgery that will place a pacemaker and fibulator inside her. Missy and I went to ORMC to eat with her in the cafeteria while she waited for her room.

This is the same hospital I last saw Scott, it was ironic I walked inside that building on his birthday, obviously bringing back a lot of crap. We ate with mom in the cafeteria the day Scott died; all these memories came strong.

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On a good note; this is the first day I have felt our baby kick in Missy's tummy. 

July 31th, 2007- Today is Nat's Birthday! I imagine he thinks a lot about this time last year, it must be difficult to have a celebratory day at a time when we are all grieving. 

Carmen is getting her surgery done today, Missy left the house at 8:15am to go there. Missy's Aunt Lucy, who is 93, is also bad off right now so Missy has been taking care of her while she is bed-ridden.

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Carmen's surgery was a success, she is resting now as the area where the surgery had been done is rather sore and she needs to stay inactive for a while. She was brought in to the 5th floor, 5B which is exactly where we said goodbye to Scott. 

Samantha and Charlie were in that area because Samantha's best friend, Catalina, has a brother in bad condition right now.

Apparently, around the 28th, Catalina's brother, after jumping off a jet ski into the water was leveled by a passing boat who didn't see him and ran into his head full force.

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From what I understand, this is his most critical time where his brain is swelling and they are trying to get it some relief. The success of his recovery is completely in the air at this point.

Aug 1st, 2007- Missy and I have an appointment for Capen at 11:30. I am still sick as a dog, coughing like I have Black Lung. I hope Missy don't get this illness, this would not be good for her or the baby.

Missy had an appointment today at 11:30am. We were there for a pap smear and to follow up on the blood tests. Everything is looking very promising, all the tests came out good.

 Missy is at 23 weeks now, the Doctor stated that Capen is larger than average; making it appear as if she is 25 weeks along. Though they go by the 1st ultrasound which is the most defining to know it's due date. Missy has to take another blood test in 3 weeks to check her Glucose, and we see the doctor in 4 weeks.

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