Happy Birthday to Uncle Joe!

Happy, Happy Birthday to Uncle Joe (Elmer Sprick), who is a very young 83 today! Among the relatives helping him celebrate this weekend were two granddaughters.

Zachary Broberg is the 2010 Burnt Wienie champ!

Congratulations to Zachary Broberg, who at age 11 is one of the youngest-ever Coveted Burnt Wienie Award winners! He bagged it for a little business involving a well-aimed snowball and a very, very irate truck driver. Above, Zack received the precioussss 'dog from Hannah Miller, last year's winner. Here's how the day went... Despite the steamy weather, the crowd at cousin Pam's Lake City party pad was large and enthusiastic. Hey, look at that kid in front! He thinks he's going to win! The excitement grew as the gala ceremonies opened. Special guest Zack, Katie Sprick's boyfriend, probably wondered what the hey he had gotten himself into. Niece Hannah was my special assistant during the ceremony, keeping me on task, ringing the bell when the crowd got out of hand and passing out priceless prizes before the big event. Look at that kid in front again! He thinks he's going to win!

Hannah and I are both former winners of the preciousss 'dog, and in fact were nominated again this year, Hannah for ending up in Des Moines, Iowa, when she meant to drive to Mankato, Minn., and me for, er, accidentally swallowing my dental bridge, which is now back where it belongs, thank you very much. But nothing could stand up to Zack's stellar snowball feat.

Zack had been nominated by his dad, cousin Sam Broberg, who upped the ante with a hilarious, rhyming and slightly bawdy nomination speech.

Chris Miller also did a nice job nominating daughter Hannah, but then he told the crowd not to vote for her because she won last year. Even so, every other nominee was simply out-Burnt-Wienied by young Zack Broberg.

Among those in the audience was cousin Sarah Broberg, who wouldn't let just anyone near her prize, an eight-pack of Diet Cokes, her fav pop, but she couldn't resist sweet little Avamarie Miller, 2.

Avamarie watched the glamorous proceedings with her aunt, Cathy Miller Northrup, who was a special guest, along with her husband, Michael.

Among the glittering attendees were Chris Miller, co-star of the www.startribune.com cult classic video "Sidcast," and ever-lovely cousin Jane Kirkwood Hagberg. Both are past winners of the Burnt Wienie, we believe.

The star-studded crowd

Your scrapblog editor tried to pose with as many of the glamorous Burnt Wienie attendees as possible: With cousin Sarah Broberg.

With cousin Nick Broberg, a tall and handsome lad indeed.

With niece Hannah Miller.

With second cousin Marty Broberg and nieces Hannah Miller and Moriah Miller.

Cousins Hannah Miller and Noah Johnson are always happy to see each other.

Hannah, Moriah and Marty.

Noah with his Uncle Michael and Auntie Chats Northrup.

Cousins Elizabeth Miller and Noah Johnson plotted some mischief.

Chats and Michael come to visit

Had a great visit with sister Chats and brother-in-law Michael last week. We spent a couple days in the Twin Cities, then went to Lake City for the Burnt Wienie extravaganza. Visited some favorite old spots: The Old Frontenac beach...

... and Frontenac State Park.

Honoring his father

Last week, cousin Monty Leiser, son of Cindi, grandson of Elmer and Mavis, carried on a tradition created by his late dad by hosting a musical event in Wisconsin. Some snapshots, courtesy of Uncle Joe and cousin Cindi:

We know Richard Leiser, who passed away last year, was very proud of son Monty, who spoke to the crowd here.

Monty's uncle, Dave Sprick, pitched in on the drums.

The Cragars played. Wish we had video!

Mavis, Monty, Joe, Cindi and Dave.

Mavis, Monty, Joe, Sarah and Dave.