The Janet Files
When Kyle needed to return to his home in London after Christmas, Janet secured the right flight dates so he could stay long enough to participate in this event.
What is BINGO?
Nathan and Ryan aren’t just names in Janet’s family—they’re also the first names of these two children in our group.
Who are Nathan and Ryan?
Before a group trip, this person is the one most likely to know the flights, lodging, itinerary, and probably several details no one else thought to ask about.
Who is Kevin?
Some fall camping dinners came with an actual menu, proudly displayed in this unconventional location.
What is nailed to a tree?
During an Odaffy-planned trip, April encountered an unexpected guest in the lower level of the group’s VRBO and chose this approach rather than setting a trap.
What is chasing a mouse?
Janet took her love of puzzles to the next level by participating in this type of event.
What is competitive puzzling?
On the drive to Tofte, we pass right through this city that was once part of Laura’s hometown story.
What is Duluth?
Whenever someone asks Kevin how much a trip will cost, this is his classic response.
What is "It's only money, you can always make more."
At Christmas BINGO, the dinner is usually nothing fancy, just leftovers and sandwiches, because the real point has always been this.
What is getting together?
During a Yellowstone trip years ago, this three-year-old fell asleep in a child backpack carrier just before Old Faithful erupted. This moment was recreated years later.
Who is Katie?
During a cruise stop in Spain, Janet met these two people she had never met before, and whom Kevin barely remembered.
Who are Nick and Lorna?
When Michael moved into Kevin’s childhood home after Kevin left for the military, Kevin’s mom made sure he had a fresh supply of this.
What is underwear?
One January long ago, these two dads spent hours on hold trying to secure meal reservations with Disney characters.
When Laura hosted the group for dinner, this Spanish dish was the centerpiece of the meal.
What is paella?
This annual gathering grew out of the group’s long-running football pick-em tradition and includes prizes, jokes and plenty of bragging rights.
What is the football banquet?
While we were together at Lutsen, Janet and Kevin received the exciting news that this family milestone had occurred.
What is Sophie's birth?
At age 17, these three made their case for embarking on a hiking trip by preparing a PowerPoint presentation to convince their parents they were ready.
Who are Nathan, April, and Andrew?
Tom has preserved the group’s Odaffy adventures to national parks in this format.
What are videos?
A shared love of good food took these four friends all the way to California for a meal at The French Laundry.
Who are Tom, Laura, Michael and Jenny?
‘Where do they put all the animals at night?’ This question came up during one of the group’s Yellowstone adventures.
What is the wagon ride to the canyon?
While cleaning out the house in Richfield, Janet discovered this unfinished project that Pam had begun for Ryan years earlier. She made sure it was finished and is now carefully storing it for the future.
What is Ryan's baby quilt?
While hiking the Superior Hiking Trail with April and Andrew, Nathan learned that following in his dad’s footsteps wasn’t always a good idea when they began falling apart.
What are Tom's hiking boots?
While two families spent a long, cold night in campers, these two arrived from their lodge stays well rested—with coffee in hand.
Who are Tom and Laura?
The tradition of sharing meals will continue in Spain, where we’re planning to do this together.
What is take a cooking class?
This unusual aftermarket car project involved walnuts, superglue, and plenty of sandpaper.
What is Tom’s walnut dashboard?