Just Like Grandma

Every Sunday since I can remember, my family has had Coffee at Grandma Julie and Grandpa Jerry's house after church. Grandma always provides lots of baked goods--pies, cookies, brownies, coffee cake--plus chips (especially Pringles) crackers, and colby jack cheese. And of course there is the coffee for the grown ups and soda for the kids (and Zach).

The way Coffee works is that there is a standing invitation to all the family and whenever we talked to Grandma and Grandpa during the week, we'd just let them know whether or not we were coming. Often my Aunt Terri's family will join us, too.

When we were little, after filling up on treats, we kids would go for the green cupboard that contained coloring books and little toys. When we were older kids, we'd go in the other room and watch "Ren and Stimpy" (a horrible show, but it was the big brother's choice) on Nickelodeon. Now that we're all grown up, we stay at the table and update the family on our lives...except for Carrie, who pretty much always falls asleep in the middle of the floor.

Coffee is a grand VanDusen tradition, and when Josh moved to Chicago, I decided that our little family needed it to continue here. This Sunday was our first day. Josh later said that he was expecting it to be "all dainty...with little pastries and stuff." So when he walked in and saw cookies, cake, chips, and pretzels, he was excited.

All Chicagoan friends are invited, Sundays at 1:00. Just let us know if you're coming!