From Cousin Julie, 9/20/2005

One time, I was sleeping on the couch at “Uncle Al’s” house. It was a Sunday afternoon several years ago, typical of an Iowa winter. Cold and froze outside, warm and cozy inside.

We’d all just been to church and had another one of Aunt Jan’s delicious meals with the entire family – laughter ringing off the walls. (That Grandma Caroline sure can laugh!)

We all settled in for the cozy afternoon, and I claimed the highly sought after couch. I was sleeping fairly well, until…I felt eyes on me and had the heebie jeebies. I slowly opened one eye – half afraid of what I might find in that half scared-half asleep-not knowing where I am state…I barely got my eye open and POKE!

Anthony (a toddler at the time) poked me in the eye with a curious, pudgy little boy finger. Scared the wits out of me, but entertained the rest of the Kuiper clan.