Summer is here!

Welcome back cousins!

I'm proud to say that we have more new information on the Pearson family! So I hope to see as many of you in August and if not I hope whatever family comes will tell you all the good stuff that they hear!

I will try my very best to start updating this blog with info.

Pictures, a small, simple, and special momento to treasure.

Many people do not realize how important pictures can be until its too late. In our family we have been blessed with a number of dedicated family goers who keep every picture they taken and given. We have pictures over 100 years old, which is a rarity in many families today. Though technology provides us with easy access of taking thousands of pictures many times they get lost in a countless CDs and DVDs burned. I will give those who either keep hundreds of pictures of a card, or those who have CDs burn or saved on a computer a little warning. Burn ALL your pictures onto a DVD and make a back up of that DVD every 3-5 years. Why? Because eventually you do delete your pictures off your memory card, and computers/hard drives can crash losing ALL your precious photos. So buy a small storage container that you can organize DVDs. Burn your pictures and LABEL each DVD so you can find certain photos by event and year.

Another method of keeping your pictures safe is either buy a photo book that you insert your photos you print or making a digital photo book from places like Walgreens, Shutterfly.com, or other photo printing sites and places. At the end of either one put a burned copy of the pictures of the event in the back.

Now back to reunion pictures, there will be an optional pictures sessions for families who want a family photo. Depending on weather it will be either outside or inside. It will be after food is done probably around 2 or 3. A suggestion to families is to wear the same colors (or shades) it makes for a cohesive look which really turns out for a great photo. All photos taken will be posted here for families to download.

Well, one week to go! See you soon!

Kids Corner & Games

Wow, the reunion is almost here. So an update on some old yet new things coming back to the reunion. The first is kids games, I remember when I was little that we had all kinds of games. I'm not sure when they went away but I miss them. So I have created some games (and some small prizes) for the kids who will be at the reunion to enjoy. 

Another more newer idea is a Kids Corner. I know that parents (specially Out of Town families) try not to bring a whole lot, but sometimes kids just get bored after spending hours with family that they barely know. So I'm planning a kids corner that will be set in the back for kids to have some entertainment/activities. There will be some coloring areas (crayons and color pencils only), a few toys, some craft projects, and a small TV for them to watch a few Disney movies. 

Next time, family portraits! A special and easy way to get a new professional photo of your family and extended family! 

Pearson Family Reunion now on FACEBOOK!

Hälsningar!

Hopefully many of you got your postcards in the mail for the reunion. Just a little thing to comment on today. If any family has Facebook, I created the Pearson Family Reunion Event for people to join. 

As for family genealogy, I have found some amazing records in researching both Olaf's and Johanna's families. For Johanna, I have gotten all the way to the early 1700's for her family (was hoping to break the 1700 mark). I also got to the mid-late 1700's for Olaf's family. We also have answers to some old family question dealing with the Maygren family and how they were related. After gaining as much as I can for our past I will try to go back and see if we can't find some Swedish relatives (of yes, there should be a number out there).

Postcard Invites have been sent!

Just sent the reunion invitations out today! I sent postcards to almost 100 families! It should be interesting on how much response we will get back when the reunion comes. I designed the postcards with one of the whole Pearson family, so not only do you have an invite to remember the info you have a great picture to hang up to show visitors of your family history. I will be sending an e-mail invitations to those family members that I couldn't find address for but had e-mail addresses. Also spread the word to those family members that you do see just to makes sure they received theirs!

On a related note, I started to really dig for some family genealogy and Tuesday went to research at Augustana's Swenson Center. Let me say, I have found some AWESOME info that none of us knew about Olaf Pearson (if that is indeed his true name ;) ). The next time I go to the Swenson Center I will try to search more on Johanna's story. But within the first 5 minutes of researching the ladies that work their found Johanna maiden name and where she was from so she may have some real goodies to find about her past and family! I recommend if any families that have other Swedish heritage (I also have Anderson) that Augie's Swenson Center is truly a great tool into digging up information, the ladies their are terrific guides into helping you find what your looking for and the amount of resources they have on hand is incredible. 

Entertainment and Hotels

Hälsningar (Greetings)! 

Been searching around the net for things to do around the area. Looks like a good website to search for your interests is VisitQuadCities. It shows entertainment, hotels, festivals, and basically anything and everything that you can do in QC. I also found that they have various packages which includes: a hotel, some form of entertainment (tickets to museums, games, golf course, etc), a meal. So check it out you may find something that works well for your families stay.

As for my recommendation on some things to do in the QC, here are my picks.

Entertainment wise, the biggest name in this area is John Deere and they have a great museum that has their big tractors, old tractors, and other exhibits dealing with John Deere.

If military history is more your game then the RI Arsenal Museum is a great place to visit. The Rock Island Arsenal itself is packed with history from its cemetery to buildings. The museum itself is the 2nd oldest US Army museum in the United States.

On a side note: "The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will offer tours of Locks and Dam 15 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., weather permitting, beginning at the Mississippi River Visitor Center on the west end of Arsenal Island. Wear shoes enclosed both front and back (tennis shoes are best, as walking is part of the tour). Group size is limited; come 20 minutes early to assure a place. The tours last 45-60 minutes. Advance reservations are required; call (309) 794-5338. Map Free."

If you are interested in Swedish history and settlements then Bishop Hill is a full day of reliving the past. 

There are many other museums around the area, including, Figgie Art Museum, Putnam Museum/IMAX (any age), and Family Museum (recommend for kids 12 under, very fun museum). They are wonderful museums to keep your kids active and educated. 

A few other events going on our:

The Quad Cities Cruisers will hold a classic car display from 6-9:30 p.m. in the JC Penney parking lot, SouthPark Mall, 4500 16th St., Moline. Call (563) 355-0036 for details. Map Free

The Hauberg Indian Museum at Black Hawk State Historic Site, 1510 46th Ave., Rock Island, offers visitors a tour of a year in the life of a Native American, starting with summer corn harvest and ending with spring maple syrup-bottling. Life-size displays, houses, and mannequins portray the daily life of a Sauk or Mesquakie Indian during the late 1700s and early 1800s. The Fur Trade exhibit examines the economic relationship between the Sauk and Mesquakie and the American Fur Company, which made Indians in Illinois part of lucrative worldwide trade. Hours are Wednesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m. March-October; 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. November-February. Call (309) 788-9536.

Every Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday,

An Alice in Wonderland display is featured at the Vander Veer Botanical Park Conservatory, 215 W. Central Park Ave., Davenport, from June 1-Sept. 1. Hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. The greenhouses and gardens feature a wide variety of plants and flowers. Admission is $1 for ages 16 and up; free for ages 15 and under, but must be accompanied by an adult. Free admission on Tuesdays. Call (563) 323-3298 for details.

Every Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday,

Food/Dine:

If you come to the QC you must go to Whitey's Ice Cream (was on Food Network) for all their unique flavors. If you like a more traditional soft serve then Country Style or Lagomarcino's would be what you are looking for.

Harris Pizza and Happy Joe's are the rival pizzas in area to try. If you have kids then Happy Joe's has a more entertainment friendly area for kids to play. 

Jim's Ribs in Rock Island, another Food Network pick, is a place to get some juicy BBQ.

Rudy's Tacos and Adolf's are the mexican food kings of the area. You can start a big debate on who is better.

Grinder's is definitely my favorite italian food provider, the variety, the prices, the taste are the best in the QC. They have lunch specials that fill you up like a dinner for under $5. I also recommend their Pizza Bread. 

Well, that was a little long but hopefully, some helpful advice to those out of town family coming in for the weekend. If anyone has certain things to see or place to eat you are more than welcome to comment. 

Reunion Information

Ardith and I have started getting many things organize for the reunion. Right now we are getting ready to send invites out soon and thinking of new ideas (games, things to do) for the reunion. 

The date is set for Sunday, August 2, 2009.

Time: 11:00 a.m. (will do some entertainment, games, people can chat/catch up, see the new genealogy info gathered, etc)

Place: Reynolds American Legion 

I would love to hear feed back from the many family members if they have suggestions, questions, ideas, to help improve the reunion to make enjoyable for families that are Out of Town (non-Quad City ppl), have children, etc. 

Next update, I will help Out of Town families by searching for Hotel rates around the area and other events/festivals/attractions going on that weekend.