SURVIVOR: Spring Sucks in Kansas So Far

(Or, My Dad's 60th Birthday)

Some would say it jazzed up an otherwise mundane routine. Others quip it threw a big cog into their weekend plans. Whichever one chooses, the story must be recounted. To what am I referring?

I'm referring to the First Day of Spring in Kansas. This glorious day brought several inches of snow, howling wind, and an entire herd of Kramers, et al, to my parents' house. Said Kramers embarked on the Wellsville Farmstead on Saturday afternoon for my Pa's 60th birthday. We had lasagna, ciabatta bread, salad, this delicious jello that Evan OD'd on, and the best chocolate crockpot cake ever made. There was fun. There was merriment. There was sarcasm and laughter thick enough to cut with my dad's 45 year-old dull pocket knife.

Allow me to now present the cast of this circus. There was Jo "How Many Gross Jokes Can I Take" Kramer, Tracy "I'm Spending My Entire Birthday Pulling People Out Of The Snow" Kramer, myself, Phil "I'm Going to Sulk All Night Because I Didn't Bring My 4Runner" Frick; then Sheridan, Ethan, and Evan, who all thought this was totally awesome.
My sister, Carrie "I've Been Up For 2 Weeks Straight" Kramer, little 11 month-old Cammy, and Carrie's new boy, Phillip "I'd Cut My Toes Off For A Toothbrush" Pearson. Consequently this was Phillip's first time to meet the family.... he had to sleep on the hard floor and had almonds stuck in his teeth all night. Way to show him a good time guys.
Lastly, let's not forget Jon "You Look Like I Smell" Kramer, and his very funny friend, Rob "I'm Stuck In Hell" Christianson. By the way, Rob, thanks for playing Name That Tune with me.
The Grandparents were also there but thankfully made it home safely earlier in the evening.

Phil and I tried to leave at 7:30 - it took us 30 minutes to get out of the driveway, and after 30 minutes of all the men pushing, my Dad towed us out. We got a mile away and plowed into a 3-foot snow drift. Dad had to come pull us out again, only for us to get stuck in another 200 yards. By now Phil was in a great mood. The minivan was left behind as we piled six Fricks into the cab of Dad's truck, then went back to the farm to settle in for a long night. Card-playing and snacking passed the time quickly, and by 1:00 in the morning, the house looked like remnants of some wild frat party; there were bodies, cans, and food scattered wherever there was room.

By morning we were the sorriest-looking bunch you've ever seen. We all awoke about 7:30 and were napping again by 9:00. Thankfully it warmed to 45 degrees later on and the snow turned slushy. By afternoon we all headed home and, other than being tired, were no more worse for the wear.

All in all it was a good time and, while I wouldn't do it again, it was fun to remenisce about old times and good times, and in general spend quality time with my family. By the way, Brad couldn't come because he fell off a pump jack and broke several ribs. He needed the rest and the sleep, neither of which he would have gotten. Pictures to come later, I left my camera in Wellsville.
Love you Mom and Dad, thanks for a great weekend!!! Happy 60th to my Daddy who hasn't aged a bit.