Summer love

Ellen and I have a tradition of hosting summer parties in our garden, so Saturday’s celebration of Allie and Jon’s engagement made this year’s event all the sweeter. It also happened to be my birthday, and I’ve never been happier to be a year older. The wedding isn’t until New Year’s Eve, so this was a chance to chat up Jon’s extended family and to enjoy a mellow evening with relatives and friends—both ours and Allie and Jon’s. All other cares and worries disappeared into the long summer shadows. It was day to feast on the love that God has wrought between two young dreamers and to surround them both with our affection.

The Ogle clan, from left: brother Tom, Ellen, sister Liz, future son-in-law Jon Ciraulo, Allie, Nick, cousin Paula Gunn, me (in cap), second-cousin Rebecca Gunn-Hansen, brother-in-law Dave Manville, Mom, niece Ruby Chan-Frey, sister Kathy, second-cousin Kate Gunn- Hansen, sister Gigi. It's high time for some more boys in this family, wouldn't you say?