In the early 1940s we lived in Des Moines, Iowa, in the rented 2nd floor apartment of a mansion (one of 3) on an estate located on Pennsylvania Avenue, on the East Side of the Des Moines River). The house and grounds provided many opportunities for mischief: it was next to active railroad tracks, it was on a bluff above the river, it had many trees, and there was a long, slippery banister down to ground level. Larry and I managed to stay alive, even when temporarily escaping from parental custody. In the winter, there was nothing quite like sledding down through "the ravine" all the way through a forest to the icy river. We also like to wave to the engine crew on passing trains, perhaps a bit closer than mom would approve. Climbing trees was a passion; in my attempt to impress my little brother, I once climbed a pine tree so high that I almost couldn't climb down. Larry, I believe, was more distressed than I was! To my eternal shame, I once played a terrible trick on Larry that I am sure profoundly affected him all his life. We had a cat, Spoteye, that liked long semi-comotose naps. One day I prepared a large shoe box with cotton, laid said cat therein, poured catsup on its belly and left a kitchen knife nearby with more catsup on it. When Larry discovered it there arose a terrible wail of grief, accompanied by deep sobs, until the supposed dead animal arose and stretched. I had trouble sitting down for several days! We grew up together, until Don joined us after WWII, and then it was also a circus, but different.

this is my fav! thanks to the person taking the picture! looks like we have Brecklins(Judy and Bob and Michelle and Grandchild), Sharpes, Fays,Rodrigues, Pluff, and Wegener, Sheldons, Vetros,a Sargent, Dunphys, Ramos, and Acevedos, Lundblads, an Aradillo and lots of Bucks(Lorie, Liz, Jim, Don),Ok and Betty and Jodie and Rebecca.  ! hope I got everyone!

Ok more in-laws added!