We really are having a good time planning the reunion and we hope you will be able to come this summer. We all say we can't believe it's been 40 years, but as we talk around that planning table, it's obvious that we've accomplished quite a lot in those years.

I'm like everyone else -- I've travelled a good road, but there have been detours. I married in 1969 and had 33 happy years with John, until a motorcycle accident took him from me in 2002. I am so fortunate though to have our sons and our grandson. And, I see so much of John in the way they walk, talk, smile -- and they all have John-Nelson-blue eyes. Shane (36) is married to beautiful Heather; Jody (35) has Nicky (15) my grandson.

There is also someone new in my life -- I married Butch Bowyer in 2007. He lost his wife after 34 years. We met by accident, while headed down the same sad path, and we decided to travel together. We now have a total of six grandchildren -- Nick (15) Jordan (12) Brett & Kolby (10-twins) Ali (4) and Rylinn (1). They keep us busy (and very happy!)

My favorite thing is a road trip with my family. We've travelled to the Florida Keys, Maine, Montana, Oregon, Washington, New Mexico and up into Canada twice. Butch and I especially like to travel to Colorado. We've also taken the grandsons to the Texas coast and to St. Pete's Beach, Florida. We can't wait until the girls are old enough to visit the ocean too!