Kent, Toshiko, and Ryan

One of the special treats of Mike and Heidi's May 15, 2015 reception was having Kent, Toshiko, and Ryan attend.  They were on their way to see Ryan get his Ph.D awarded at the University of California-Berkeley on May 17. 

The Calders spent Friday evening at the reception.  Kent's Calder cousins hadn't seen him in years and were delighted to say hello--Kreg Calder, Ann and Jim Calder, Janet Calder, and Uncle Dave's three daughters--Colleen, Sally Joyce, and Susie.  Ryan chatted with Mike and Heidi and complimented Heidi's sister, Marissa, on her accordion playing.  Scott and his family visited with Kent, Toshiko, and Ryan at the reception, and also took Kent, Toshiko, and Ryan to lunch and a visit to Grant's house on Friday afternoon.

On Thursday, May 14, 2015, Jonny dropped Sam off to Jenny's mom to tend while he and Jenny vacation in Greece and Turkey.  Dave and I had dinner with Camille, Kent's family, and Scott and Jean on Thursday night.  Jonny read the poem he wrote about Mike for Mike's wedding, to the delight of all of us.  Unfortunately, Jonny couldn't attend the reception, but had to leave on Friday morning to catch his plane to Istanbul.  He and Ryan spent Thursday night together in the "Bunk Room" in the basement.  "Ryan tells me he really likes the Salt Lake people," Toshiko assured me, and we like Ryan and his parents, as well!

Mike hosted the Bastians, Ryan, Kent, Toshiko, and Dave and me at breakfast on Saturday morning.  We then spent several hours with Scott and Jean, touring family history sites, including homes owned by our great-great uncle, George Romney, in the lower Avenues.  We also visited the graves of Uncle Spencer, war hero Mervyn S. Bennion, John Bennion, and John Bennion's Native American son, Kanosh.  Scott told how John Bennion bought Kanosh from an Indian slave trader when Kanosh was three and raised him as his own son.  Toshiko was especially interested in the graves of Japanese-Americans in the Salt Lake City cemetery, and the monument to the Japanese-American army battalion which was the most-decorated battalion in World War II.

Mike's dining room table could only seat eight, so Gay Bastian and I enjoyed a quiet chat on the stools in the kitchen.

 It is such a treat to spend time with my brother and his family!