Bergey Reunion [ Topeka ]

The Bergey family all gathered at Phil and Diana's house in Topeka.

It was nice to be able to reconnect and have a good time together!

Germany, Arizona, Colorado, and Kansas are all represented here :)

Topeka Christmas

Friday afternoon we arrived in Topeka to celebrate with Ben's mom's side.

It was a beautiful afternoon.

Noah loved the very short ramp...he went UP and DOWN over and over. Prior to getting so brave to walk down it, he would turn around and "slide"down. It was very entertaining for him..and probably equally to watch him.

We checked into the hotel (thank you Jack and Karen!!) and enjoyed the pool for a couple hours while Noah took a nap. Sam, Diana, Phil, and Great Grandpa John came over to enjoy the water too. Christian thoroughly enjoyed himself.

We went back to Grandpa and Grandma H's house for the celebration part.

Noah was supervising his great aunts and grandma in the kitchen.

 Mary Hope (Arizona), Diana, and Priscilla (Berlin, Germany)

Prior to eating we opened presents...

Grandpa H read him the book he and Grandma gave...Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel.

Priscilla and Christian played with his new bath toys...his orcas. He is so funny about orcas, ever since he learned about them at preschool. He has many facts that he can share about them!!

Jack and Karen (Colorado) flew in, and arrived around 8:45. So we opened a few more presents...all the "light" gifts were a big hit for everyone!!

A John/Betty Bergey family photo

The four cousins...

Ruby (Germany), Paulina (Arizona), Ben and Sam

We got back to the hotel about 10:30ish...I've never seen Christian fall asleep so fast. It was very impressive. I guess the fun-filled day, and two hours of swimming without a nap will do it! I'm glad we got to see everyone, we had a very Merry Christmas with the Bergey's!

New Red Chair

Fried Chicken Night is the first Thursday of the month at Waters Edge....it is a family style served meal...and it is g-o-o-d. It just so happens that Great Grandpa John has a liking for food...and he happens to know that Ben (especially) also has this same appreciation. So, we have met him to eat for the past 3 months on Fried Chicken Night. It really is a special treat :)

This last Thursday, after we were done eating he had something REAL special to give us....

a child sized rocking chair.

It was made/given to them when their kids were little from Great Grandma Betty's brother. He had it reupholstered for us....and it turned out SO nice!

It fits Christian just perfectly right now....he is so proud to have his own rocking chair!

Thank you Great Grandpa John!!

Bergey family: Betty's funeral

Ben's grandma Bergey (Betty) passed away on Aug 16, and the funeral service was on Aug 31. 

I didn't have the chance to know Betty prior to her strokes that changed her significantly. The funeral was a very good service to hear about her life, and the many things she had done and what her personality really was like! It was very fulfilling. 

On Saturday evening, John and Chris let the Bergey family who was still around come to their house to enjoy the pool and grilled hamburgers. We had a good time.

A few random pictures on the way to their house...I'm pretty sure we take a different route every time (not intentionally!).

Christian and I were having a country music sing-along on the drive...

and Ben, well it looks as though we lulled him to sleep!! Yikes. Maybe he just wasn't impressed with our singing.

Pool fun! 

Bergey Family

Last Sunday we met in Hesston with the Bergey family. Grandpa Bergey's birthday is this coming week, he will be 85. 

Ben's parents as well as Diana's siblings were all there...Mary Hope and Paulina (Arizona), Jack (Colorado), and Priscilla (Berlin,Germany).

Mary Hope, Paulina and Christian

Great-Aunt Priscilla

Paulina :)

An intense game of two balloon volleyball :)