Before I get into today’s post, I want to give a shoutout to Rick at Rick’s Daily Tips. I have followed him for many years and love his helpful advice. I hit a technical blog problem recently and asked if I could pay him to help me. Instead, he took time to assist at absolutely no charge, just because he’s that kind of guy. I told him I was going to mention him on the blog as a way of saying thanks. Check him out!
The main focus of our trip to Wisconsin was, of course, the family reunion. It had been two years since we’d all been together, so the greetings and hugs were extra sweet.
Now, I’m not sure what you do at your family reunions, but ours are generally sedate and genteel. We sit around in elegant resort clothes, sip iced tea from stemware, and discuss, in modulated tones, all the events of our well-ordered lives.
Or not.
Have you ever created a target comprised of straw filled with chicken poo and an explosive called Tannerite and shot at it until it exploded? Yep. That’s the way the lawns get fertilized in our family. (Try not to be jealous.)
This deceptively simple target exercise was actually a complicated process, wherein the collection of men had to walk back and forth from the shooting station to the chicken poo station, examine the target, rearrange a few things, and ensure everything was set as it should be. Then there were a good many shots until finally someone would hit it, and there would be a huge kaboom, followed by a great round of cheering.
At the very last minute, Nathan was able to fly in just for Saturday and Sunday. He was one of the guys who hit the target and made the whole thing blow up, so he was pretty excited about that.
the other folks were up on the deck talking, which was a bit of a challenge, because we never knew from moment to moment whether there would be a gunshot or a kaboom to interrupt our conversation. But we persevered and managed to share plenty of stories and laughter despite the chicken poo cacophony.
the activities consisted of watching my nephew feed their cow, dodging a few dogs and chickens, boarding a wagon for our traditional hay-less hay-ride, riding four wheelers, playing basketball and disc golf, and shooting a variety of guns at a variety of targets in the outdoor shooting range.
I didn’t get any photos of the shooting range, but on a trip many years ago, I tried my hand at shooting and was diplomatically informed by my family that I should stick to shooting Nikons and not firearms.
A few miscellaneous photos from the activities.
Meeting my great-nephew, Gideon, son of Ruth’s daughter, Hannah. (Photo by Carol.)
We had our usual prayer before lunch, but unfortunately, I missed it because I was in the bathroom and was having trouble getting the door unlocked. When I finally burst out, I was just in time to hear the amen. I told everyone to just stand there for a moment while I grabbed a post-prayer picture.
Steve and I were there from about 10 am to 7 pm so it was a full day. Before we all went our separate ways, we made sure to get some photos since all the siblings haven’t been together since mom’s funeral three years ago. (We were definitely missing our adopted brother, Ron, and his wife, Debbie.)
Here’s the whole clan who was in attendance. (Wish that the whole North Carolina family could have been there.) Family photos by Tim Campbell.
It worked out nicely that all the names could be shortened to one syllable if she wanted to call us in a hurry. “Tim, Mark, Phil, Beck, Ruth, Deb.” (Tim, the oldest brother, is standing next to me and I’m the oldest sister.)
We always enjoy the lovely touches around Ruth and Arn’s home.
So that was the reunion day, and what a beautiful day it was.
you’ll read about Ruth, Debbie, and me being chased across a golf course by the golf course manager, reassuring a store clerk that the three of us weren’t drunk, and Steve being escorted off an airplane.
As I said, our times together are sedate and genteel.
Or not.
What about you?
What kinds of things do you do on your family reunions?
Are you a good aim with a gun or do you stick to just shooting pictures? Or neither?
If you had your druthers, would you like to live in a house in a rural setting or in the city? Why?
What does this week hold for you?
Love the huge family pic!
We haven’t ever had a family reunion, and I guess the last time “all” of us (my paternal grandparents and their sons/grandkids/greats) got together was when my granddaddy died. That was about 30 years ago. Nobody even seems to show up for funerals anymore, either. 🙁 I’m an only, and my entire family is me, my husband, a daughter and son-in-law. But we love big, even though we’re a tiny bunch. 🙂
I love shooting tannerite! But I must say – Our target was a dead tree that we successfully “chopped” down with bullets and tannerite. The poop target made me laugh though!
As for where I’d like to live – I’ve always said if I won the lottery (I’d have to buy a lottery ticket to have a chance though!), I’d buy apartments in NYC, London, and Paris, and a small cabin out in Colorado. But I’m a City girl at heart, and would happily move to any of those three cities TODAY. My bank account disagrees strongly though! haha
Stefanie,
Oh, the things we could do if we suddenly came into money! Sounds like you have a perfect plan should it ever happen! I am fascinated by those three cities, as well.
I had never even heard of Tannerite until our family reunions. It really makes quite an explosion when someone finally hits it. And yes, my sister’s lawn is now very well fertilized. 🙂
I love that you and your family are loving big. There is no other way to do it.
Beautiful pictures. Looks like a wonderful place to live.
Growing up family reunions were lots of people, food, and fun. There was a large field for softball games. In the fall, lots of huge piles of leaves and that was great fun! We would eat, play hard, then eat again!
Now we call it a win when my brothers and our families can be together. The cousins are spread out and we do not see each other as much as we would like. We have an aunt and 2 uncles +their spouses and we do get to see them from time to time.
I have great aim with handguns I have shot. I grew up on a farm and my husband is a retired police officer so I have many trips to the farm to practice.
We have been in a small city for 30+ years. I am a country girl at heart and would be fine in the country.
Advantages to being in the city is being less than 10 minutes from work and the grocery store.
I am actually going to my 40 year high school reunion! A gathering at a local place on Friday and reunion on Saturday. Looking forward to seeing classmates I have not seen in a long time and seeing the peeps I am fortunate enough to still see regularly.
I also will be at my uncle’s 90th birthday party on Saturday afternoon! He is an amazing man! He can work circles around anyone! I always tell him I want to be him when I grow up!
Have a great rest of your week!
ESwim,
A softball game would be fun! I know you all must have enjoyed all that playing and eating (and repeating). And hooray that you learned to become a good shot out at the arm; that takes some practice!
It is hard for cousins to stay connected, especially since families spread out so much these days–all over the country and even around the world. But at least you’re still getting together with some of the family.
Sounds like a busy weekend with old friends and an old (but young-ish) uncle. Enjoy all of life’s celebrations.
It’s been a few years since we’ve had a family reunion…but any time any of our family gets together it’s usually a lot of good food and good stories. I think I’m a suburban kind of gal. A city is too busy for me long term and quiet is nice in small quantities, but I think it would get boring for a long period of time. I can’t wait to hear the stories you teased for your next post! Have a wonderful week!
Sue Ellen,
Good food and stories–the perfect combination. That’s all a family reunion really needs.
Yes, suburbs are a nice in-between place to reside. Sounds like you’ve landed in a good place.
Working on those stories now!
Well, I’m sorry to say that we don’t have reunions any more. We have tried and tried to get everyone together and it just doesn’t work. There are certain members that will not make the effort. Sad but true. 🙁
I’ve tried shooting a hand gun but it scares me! (I can shoot a pellet gun with pretty good accuracy though.) I just stick to being a casual observer or photographer. Works for me!
I kind of prefer a semi-rural setting. Neighbors that aren’t too close, city close enough so that I don’t have to drive too far to get stuff but I don’t want to live in a city. Yuck! We live in a small town just about 5 miles from the city and it is perfect!
As I write this, our best friends are on their way to come see us. They will spend the night with us and I can’t wait! Friday is also our daughter’s 42nd birthday and I have a couple of appointments this week so it’s going to be busy.
Love all of the Wisconsin pictures as always! You really know how to have a good time! LOL
LeeAnne,
It really is sad when family members aren’t willing to make the effort; I think they may regret that when family members pass away and they didn’t get that extra time with them.
Yes, a small town near a city would be a great place to live. I’d never live in a city if it weren’t for buying Ken and Vernie’s home. But I’m 10 minutes from a country road and a small town so that helps a lot!
Hooray for visits from best friends and a daughter’s birthday! So much to celebrate. Enjoy all the moments your week brings you.
Uff-da! What a time it was- for all involved! (Even the dogs!)
Very fun and exciting family time is my general conclusion of the raucous affair.
Amen and amen- let’s do it again! Ruth
Ruth,
Yes, we definitely need to do it again! Thanks for being such a wonderful hostess!
Looks like you all had a great time.
I was just at my family reunion, but it is a more extended family reunion with 3 families from my grandmother, great aunt and great uncle. It is down to just cousins now as all the patriarchs have passed. Most of the family live near each other and gather a few times a year, a few like me travel there only once a year. It is very sedate with just gathering for a pot luck meal. Set up food, hugs, sit at tables to eat, a little mingling around, and then head out. Not much, but I love going.
Long ago my brother took me out on our uncles farm with a rifle. He said aim at that ditch. I did. I hit another ditch. He took the gun back. End of story.
Grew up and spent 52 years in a big city. I love where we live now in a small housing area in the midst of fields and farms. We are 20 min from a bigger city so can get good Drs, shopping and entertainment.
This week has nothing special planned other than Bible Study Tues, and a craft sale Saturday. Next week we have blocked off for a trip that we haven’t planned yet.
Patti,
I really love that you’ve got blocked off a week for a trip but you haven’t planned it yet. Kind of fun to live spontaneously sometimes!
Your shooting sounds like mine. I guess when you hit a whole different ditch than the one you’re aiming for, rifles tend to be confiscated. But good effort! 🙂
I love that your family continues to gather even after the patriarchs have passed. That is so important for the generations to follow.
Enjoy your trip . . . wherever you go!