Meet the Petersons

The wedding is getting close and soon two families will be meeting each other for the first time. I'm confident that everyone will get along, but here's a little background on who everyone is. When I say "the Petersons" please note that I mean everyone on Carrie's side--even though most of them aren't called Peterson anymore--or are on my mom's side and never were.

Gail and Erick - Carrie's Parents
I think almost everyone has met Gail and Erick. This couple met in college and got married while Erick was in school getting his PhD and Gail was a grade school teacher. Shortly after they had Katie and 5 years later Carrie. They currently reside 1/3 time in Illinois, 1/3 time in Indiana, and 1/3 time in a little bungalow in Ojai.
Favorite Memory: Ice Skating in Switzerland, playing catch at Wexford.

Katie, Jeff and Christopher - Carrie's Sister's family
Katie and Jeff moved to Ojai in their 3rd year of marriage so that Jeff could run the Ojai Music Festival. They now have an adorable little 2 year old named Christopher.
Favorite Memory: Playing a duet with Jeff, The first time Christopher played with Legos, eating enchiladas with Katie on no-hands night.

Uncle Bill and Aunt Rita - Gail's brother
Uncle Bill and Aunt Rita recently moved from their Vitorian in Chicago to a house near the lake in Wisconsin. They are self employed and live a small-town lifestyle these days.
Favorite memory: Unique gifts when I was little--like the zube tube.

Grandpa Jonah - Erick's father
Grandpa Jonah lives on a farm in Indiana. He doesn't have any animals. He is a talented woodworker and carpenter. Grandpa keeps a small garden and rents out the rest of his land to nearby farmers. Grandpa is also a master gardener and, since retirement enjoys hanging out with his friends, gardening, and reading the newspaper.
Favorite Memory: Working in the woodshop with Grandpa

Aunt Deb and Uncle Alan - Erick's Sister
Aunt Deb and Uncle Alan live in Indiana and also in Illinois. Aunt Deb is a master gardener. Uncle Alan is in the real estate business and also writes for the newspaper. They have three children, Brad, Jeff and Liz.
Favorite Memory: Going to their house and watching movies my mom wouldn't let me see

Liz, Jake and Julia - Carrie's Cousin
Liz and Jake got married sometime when Carrie was in college. They live in Illinois. Jake is an actuary, I think and Liz stays home and cares for their adorable almost 2 year old Julia. Liz is pregnant with her second child who is due very soon after Carrie's wedding.
Favorite Memory: Improv Christmas with Jake and Liz participating like crazy, Julia playing with me alone at Christmas, Liz's secret room at her old house.

Brad and Jeff - Carrie's cousins
Brad and Jeff are twins. They both live in Chicago. Jeff works at Nordstroms. Brad works in the computer industry. Brad and Jeff are the same age as Carrie making them very good friends during childhood.
Favorite Memory: Playing cops and robbers at their old house, Easter egg hunts at their old house

Aunt Dean - Erick's sister
Aunt Dean lives in Illinois. She has her own Market Research business that she runs from her home. In her spare time, she enjoys crafting, fixing up her house, and hanging out with her dog Casper.
Favorite Memory: The Farm trip with Aunt K and Aunt Dean and stopping at White Castle.

Aunt Kathy, Uncle Greg, and Scott - Erick's sister
Aunt Kathy is a teacher at the nearby middle school. She also teaches interesting summer classes like Make em and race em - a build your own car and race it class and Survival. Uncle Greg works in manufacturing and spends his free time with the Boy Scouts. Scott just started his first year at the University of Kansas and is studying History and Education.
Favorite Memory: Helping Aunt K come up with Make em and Race em, Dirt Cake!, Playing Legos with Scott.