The best thing about the July 4th weekend was spending it with my uncle and cousins and their families. I'm standing next to my Uncle Jim, who's a retired Purdue Agronomy professor. I lived in a small house that's essentially in his backyard for 3 years. Next to me is my cousin Kristi with her three kids around her. They, and her husband Todd (down at the other end), just got back from a year in Spain. My cousin John is sporting a wicked 'stache these days. My cousin Karl talks. Professionally. This trip was the first time I'd met my cousin Gretchen's child Nikolai (who's having his ears protected). Rounding out the group is family friend Charlotte and her three children. (Hey, I went right-to-left. Because it all starts with me!)