It's all about the Food

Here is Dennis salting the paella, under the supervision of Paco. Dennis credits Paco with some of his passion for good food.

Paco and his wife Dominique have since adopted three children; Carolina and Nicolas from Guatamala, and Laura from Colombia.

An Extended Family for Twinkle Toes

A goodly number of the exchange students that became part of Dennis' family through YFU (Youth for Understanding) also traveled in from all over the globe for the wedding. They all call Dennis' parents "Mom and Dad", and there is no doubt in this crowd that family extends well beyond a biological link (from the left):
* Dad: aka Grandpa

* Mom: aka Grandma

* Uncle Felix: German living in the UK

* Aunt Carolina: Venezualen living in Spain. She met Matti (Finn - not pictured here) at this wedding. They married a year later and their little one is due any minute

* Aunt Anja: Felix' wife

* Aunt Beth: Australian of Greek hertiage (married to Uncle Ilias - lying on the ground taking the photo) and living in Germany

* Aunt Heika: German

* Aunt Heidi: Dane

* Uncle Sandro: The only one with a legit Swiss bank account ; )

A Couple of Great Uncles for Twinkle Toes (Dennis' Brothers)

Uncle Jeff is singing and Uncle Dave is playing the double bass at the wedding: "For You" (John Denver).

Mommy & Daddy on their Wedding Day: October 15, 2005

Dennis and Lara were married in St Louis, MO. Lara's father, brother, nephew and niece traveled from Australia to attend.

Cousins for Twinkle Toes: Max & Ruby

Lara's nephew and niece Max and Ruby assisted at the wedding by lighting the Unity Candle. They were born in New York, spent their elementary school years in San Fransisco, then moved to Australia a few years before the wedding.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm: The Grandfathers

Of course this should NOT be published, but how can we hide away such a great shot of the Grandfathers, the night before the wedding. They have only known each other a few hours, but that was all it took for Aussie Grandfather Jim (left) to explain to Grandpa Charles (right) the way in which all the world's problems could be solved.
It was evident that if we put their two world views together, we would have most of the political spectrum covered ; )