Lauers

The Lauer family has a subculture all it's own.  The Lauer family consists of my mom and her 4 sisters, their husbands, their kids, my grandma, my grandpa, my grandma's sister and her children and grand children.  I have been submerged in this subgroup almost since I was born.  Most people outside of the family don't get our jokes or the way we act around each-other.  Somehow when we all get together, everyone changes.  When we all get together, the first thing that happens is that every one starts talking a lot louder.  This isn't to be rude to one another, it is just how we are.  

Us all dressing alike started as a joke.  At one of my cousin's weddings, there was to be a pajama contest, and one of my mom's cousins had gone out and bought special pajamas.  So the rest of us then went out in secret and bought 30 pairs of boxers and 30 white tees.  When it came time to do the judging, we all walked in matching.  It has become a tradition now, matching pjs.  We have one set for each event.

We always get together at weddings.  Weddings aren't so much about the actual wedding as they are about something we like to call "familying."  Familying is where we all sit together in one room and chat for hours, usually not heading to bed until around 3 am or so.  It is a huge affair.  Everyone is having a good time a screaming and laughing.  It is what we look forward to when we hear about the next wedding.  Familying also serves as the test for new additions.  If a girl friend or boy friend can't last through familying with out going to bed early, usually it does not bode well for their future.  

As a subculture we also have our traditions with food.   The biggest one is the grocery store we all shop at, Lauers.  My grandparents own this grocery store, so you better not be caught buying your food from anywhere else.  Every holiday has it's own meal.  Christmas is ham, with this delicious raisin sauce and mashed potatoes.  We all get together, talk and eat.  I love this subculture I belong to.  I look forward to every family get together.  Lauers are truly their own subculture.