The only good thing that came from Covid was more family!!

During Covid... I got an email saying I was found on Facebook and Ancestry.com.  My dad's birth family.  And they live in AUSTIN!  What in the world!!  So after chatting over 2 years and a few zoom calls, we decided it was time to meet!

So, for Spring Break - T and I flew down to Austin to meet my dad's birth family.

It was A LOT OF PEOPLE.  Wonderful people.. but SO MANY OF THEM! LOL

We heard a lot of stories, and saw memorabilia. This is my grandmother's obituary.


A letter my mom wrote to my dad's brother Frank... who he lovingly calls Rusty.


and here is baby Boots! My dad the cutie! I look like him a little here!


We stayed at Kelly's and she had SEVEN CATS!  This is the only one that I could really play with ... 'Vids!


We played footgolf.  It was FREEZING but so fun!


Chris (Chrissy's boyfriend), Kelly, T, Aunt Pam (Frank's ex-wife) and Chrissy


Me and Aunt Pam


Me and T


Ready to tee off!


He LOVED this part!


We were talking about being old, and surgeries... and I said when my doc got in my shoulder he said my bursa was like and old blown up dandelion.  So Kelly picked this and started screaming... "YOUR SHOULDER!!"


T doing his thaaaaang!  Which by the way... I did VERY well at this!


Then we stopped by their cool soccer stadium!



The next day was a big party at Aunt Pam's


Corn hole... OH JAVIER!  He beat me... dang it!


Micah (David and Lisa's son), Cousin David, me, Lisa (David's wife), Chrissy and Pam
Kristi Aiello (Brenda's daughter), T and Kelly



We had SO MUCH fun playing Heads Up!

out of order... more footgolf!


T and Katie driving the old folks with a bad hip and knee around


Clayton (Chrissy's son) and T getting a ping pong game in - he did well!!


and finally I met my dad's sister Sally.  She's difficult... but she's had a difficult life... just have to extend grace and be thankful I met her.


We had a great time, but it's A LOT to process.  My dad's entire belief system around his life is not true and while I'm sure it's comforting to know you were not forgotten or unloved... it's hard to hear that you come from a very dysfunctional family of alcoholics.  Also that your mother, brother and two other sisters have died.  

Life is short... live it well.

We've been invited back for every holiday so we shall see where this goes.  For now, I'm just thankful.

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