Below are various improvements to the only family photograph that we have.  Bill took it back in 2005, however he must have moved because the image in the original is slightly blurred - that is what I am trying to improve. 

I have tried various techniques in the Gimp and I think that with more work the grain merge technique looks the most promising - what do think?  I know it is too light but I think with more work I can correct this.  Which effort should I spend most time on?  I also tried cropping the image slightly in two of the images to remove the date...again what do you think?  I know that sharpening will enhance even the blurred edges so I think that's out and I will also reduce the reflections in the glasses.

Please note these images are very low quality, so please don't bother printing them.