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 :)

Family Trip: Birky Reunion Sunday

Sunday morning after breakfast, we had our own "reunion church".

Maybe not a flattering picture..but I just like it, because I really LOVE him!

These kids found a lot of entertainment in playing around this flower garden...for a long long time.

Tam and Cal did a great job of hosting...and what a great setting to all be able to gather and play outdoors. It was good to be able to catch up with extended family and see all the changes (especially all the littler ones in how much they've grown!). 

fam·i·ly

ˈfam(ə)lē/

noun

1. 1. 

   a group consisting of parents and children living together in a household.
2. 2. 

   all the descendants of a common ancestor.

   
   

   As I think of the definition of family, particularly the #2, I think that many people have "family". But how we DO family or really connect and bond with one another is a completely different type of family. That involves choice. And I'm grateful for this family that chooses to be apart of each other's life and chooses to connect in this way of a reunion. What a blessing it is to be apart of a family like this. 

   Until next time Birky's.

Family Trip: Birky Reunion Saturday

Saturday morning there was a pine car derby competition for all ages. 

It was fun to create a design (Noah and I worked together...Jonah and Grandma worked together, and Christian made one by himself), color it, and then race it!

Dad helped run the jigsaw to cut out everyone's car...then we sanded it down. 

Noah asked how to spell "fast" so that he could write it on the side of his car. Everyone did such a good job with coloring/designing their own cars.

 Jonah so proud of his car!

Weighing in...and putting washers on the bottom to make each one weigh the same. Then trying out the track.

 The spectators lined up for the races!

Quite the production...and excitement!

 Noah won this bracket...and oh my goodness was he happy.

Part of this age group contestants.

 After lunch, we all went for a hayrack ride, with entertainment along the way.

Abriella riding on Uncle Mitch's shoulders...and Jonah, Kyle and I enjoying our scenery on the hayrack ride.

 Tug of war with various age groups.

Margie led us on a bear hunt.

Some played human foosball, then softball for the remaining of the afternoon. After supper, the evening entertainment included a talent show and skits/pictures from past to present (in action) shots.

Below Noah's "talent" that he wanted to preform was...draw a picture of the solar system and then explain the planets and facts about each of them. 

Family Trip: Birky Reunion Friday Night

Friday morning we headed out around 9:30..to Detroit Lakes for the Birky reunion.

The boys did well-ish...we reached a low point where Jonah was beside himself tired of being in the van (or maybe just tired in general)..so I pulled out some bubbles and THAT worked to pass some time.

We arrived mid afternoon..and it wasn't long after that there was a crew of kids (and adults) were outside playing.

After supper (grilled hotdogs and hamburgers), more playing and then entertainment for all of us to join in. We learned things about Grandpa's history and various things about his childhood days.

A group of us played volleyball in the yard (this MN grass is just the softest ever). We played until it got too dark. There were plenty of snacks and after the boys were in bed, some played more games inside. Great way to start off the weekend.

MN Birky reunion

The Birky reunion was held at Tam and Cal's house...which was so nice to have there. 

We left our house VERY early Friday morning, and got in around 2 pm. 

Jonah and Mitch..You don't like carrot debris on your head, Uncle Mitch??

The kids all had fun rolling, riding, running down the hill.

Friday evening, we had a pig roast and then evening entertainment/games provided by Brent and Darren. 

Saturday, after breakfast..an Amish man came and gave buggy rides to the "siblings" and Grandpa. 

We divided into groups and did a scavenger hunt, with the ending being a bear hunt with Margie.

In the afternoon, we went on a hayrack ride (3 racks full is too much for those two poor horses..so one rack was horse-drawn and the other two by tractor) through the Stanley and David's field.

We stopped for a game of human foosball.What a set up...it was very entertaining to watch both the players and the spectators. Then, we moved out to the pasture..where some played softball, and the smaller kids went to the church to play on the playground.

Noah was so happy to get a ride in the tractor with Brad.

In the evening, we had some entertaining games...quite entertaining to observe. And then later in the evening, we had time to talk...or play games...or have a Norwex demo (Cal made an excellent assistant!) It was nice to be there and be with family.

Sunday, we had a church service under the tent. It was rainy, but worked out really well with the way it was set up! We had a very tasty home-cooked meal from Davids family for dinner. Then we took some family pictures and that wrapped up the reunion weekend!

Noah and Great Grandpa Birky

Natalia - Camille - Jessica (me)

 Three cousins...having babies, due October/November/January.

The Great-Grandchildren with Grandpa

The Grandchildren

We were glad for the time to get to see family...very special that we can get together.

Birky Reunion [2014]

 We arrived to the camp Friday evening. 

Prior to supper, there were plenty of activities going on...playing in the sand, lake, volleyball, tetherball, and playground fun.

Christian tried out the water..he wasn't a big fan of the lake water. 

The sand was all he needed to be completely happy!

Our Friday evening entertainment was provided by David, Teresa and Darren. 

We played a live version of Guess Who? (what Birky member am I??...taped to your forehead). Then we also had a mad libs version of hearing what we've all been up to since the last reunion, two years ago. 

Those that wanted to, stayed up and played games...LOTS of laughing happened.

Catch Phrase...Carol...you have a very distinct way of playing :)  and telephone pictionary (LOTS and LOTS of laughing happened when this was finished, and others played Rook, Scrabble, etc.

Saturday morning...

Noah discovered Caleb. He LOVED on him. If he was facing someone else while Mom was holding the both of them, he would turn Caleb's face toward him so he could see. It was something else! I'm glad poor Caleb is the most laid back baby and didn't seem to mind his "love".

These three...quite the talkers I tell ya. 

Christian, Molly, and Lydia. 

It was seriously hilarious to listen to their conversation...

I can only imagine if it keeps up like this, it could easily be reenacted in 40 years.

Following breakfast, Carissa had planned out an activity for the kids. It was very structured and interesting to watch. They went "around the world" with their passports, they learned a bit of information about the continent and then had various games to play based off the places they visited. I think Carissa could really have her own children's TV show that involves pretend "adventures"...she's really good at the creative stuff...takes it to a level that most people have only a couple minutes worth of material. Margie completed the adventure with her traditional "Going on a Bear Hunt"...it wouldn't be the same if she didn't lead it.

There was more volleyball, tetherball, and then games of softball (one for the littler ones..and one for the big "kids")

Ben playing volleyball.....and many rounds of tetherball with Michael.

Softball games...

Some of the spectators...the sisters.

Oh these two...

Then back to the lake for more fun in the sand.

Christian and Molly.

The blob.

The aftermath of jumping on the blob was remembered from the previous reunion. Only a select few can handle this.

That evening our entertainment was provided by these fine folks. I forgot their stage names...maybe Brutus and Helen or something. Anyway, Mom and Carissa did a good job. They showed family video clips and pictures from the past...and incorporated some games for the audience to participate in. 

After putting the kids to bed...those that wanted watched more old videos. It was good to see..laugh at some..and also to miss the times with those that are no longer here. After we played a few more games and then called it a night.

Sunday morning, we had breakfast and then had a church service all together. 

It was a heartfelt service with many contributing.

We packed up our things, and following lunch said our goodbyes. 

Fun times...and evident that quality family times are deep in our roots. Its so special, and not to be taken for granted.

Lastly...a special picture of Grandpa and Dad.