High River & Mazeppa {day seven of trip}

July 6: We had a full day today. Grandpa Hershberger had recently finished a book he had written "That's That" about his life. It was rather interesting to read, I appreciate how honest Grandpa H is..and his sense of humor. I read most of the book on our way up here outloud, so Ben could also enjoy it. It created hours of entertainment and discussion. We had to laugh at the many words that only Grandpa would use!! It made me feel both uneducated (for not knowing what the word meant in the first place) and educated (for learning the meaning within the text)! In his book, he wrote about his growing up years in High River and Mazeppa. So, today we went on a bus tour to the surrounding area to see where Grandpa Hershberger's growing up years were held.

It may not look like it in this picture, but Christian was a HUGE fan of the bus. The whole walk over from the hotel to the church where the bus was, he said "ride the bus?" over and over again...just ask Tim and Faith, they were able to hear his conversation!

We first went by the house that Grandpa grew up in. It was quite interesting to see the house, artisian well, and outbuildings...all original!

Next, we saw the location where the school house was..and the artisian well that is still very much running with perfectly cold water. Christian really liked that water. The only downfall of the day was the amount of mosquitos..yikes, they are really more like birds. I think the ones in MN are pretty much direct descendants of these..both very LARGE in quantity and in size!

Grandpa sharing a memory from his school days.

The last place we got out along our tour was at the church where Grandpa Hershberger's dad was pastor. This is now someone's house, but the cemetery is still located in their back yard. Christian found enjoyment in brushing off the grass on the tombstone..we said "keening..gass, keening..gass" (cleaning, grass). That was nice for the lady that was buried there I guess.

After the bus tour, we went over to a park in town and had lunch. Here Daniel, Ben, and Sam are socializing after the subway sandwich lunch...and getting eaten for lunch by the mosquitos!

The afternoon was relaxing, we all got naps in..and then socialized with each other. We ate at a very nice Italian restaurant for supper..I especially enjoyed the appetizers which surprised me..calamari, shrimp, bushetta, and yummy bread dipped in olive oil/balsamic vinegar. It was MORE than enough food!

After supper, we came back, went swimming again..I even tried out the waterslide several times! Christian again turned quite blue in his lips from it being chilly, so we all sat in the hot tub..he was a fan.

"Hot. Tub." He is very clear with his words sometimes, this one was a repeater.

random reunion pics...

one of my favorite pictures 

Alyssa and Donna...matching

Tonya and Carissa...matching as well :)

Priceless...
Sam had to "go"...as we were all sitting under the tent, he takes a potty break at the nearest tree!

Sisters...Margie and Mom

Me and my little boy

I just thought this was funny. Andrew is sitting on the SMALLEST chair!

The reunion was a good time...it went by SO fast. Hope to see everyone again soon!!

Birky reunion ~~ three

Sunday...

We had our very own church service..singing, children's story, an offering (nice memories that we wrote on paper for Gpa), and a message by Mitch. It was quite meaningful really.

Followed by another delicious meal...

In the afternoon some went back over to Gpa's house. 

Camille and I dancing to the music that the OLD record player/radio was playing

Isaac (Kyle and Julie's little boy) wanted the trailer to hook up to his tractor.
It actually worked..he just wanted it to go..so Kyle pushed it. It was pretty cute!

Axton (Kandice's son) and Christian playing in the sand at Stanley's

Birky reunion ~~ two

Saturday brings more fun...

In the morning, there were games for the kids...and then games for everyone...such as a scavenger hunt, followed by a group "bear hunt".

Then we all took a hayride, which ended at "cowpie stadium" for lunch and softball. I'm pretty sure we had the best hotdogs ever (and I don't even like hotdogs).

Josh (my cousin Donna's youngest son) squatting while he eats his watermelon :)

watching softball

Later in the afternoon we went to Grandpa's house. He has recently moved into town and is selling his home to my uncle/aunt. The siblings had gone through his things remaining and there was a large amount of items for "sale". It was bittersweet to see the house so empty, but I know it is part of life and am glad for all the good memories I've had there.

MANY family gatherings were held in this home...

Mom and Christian with Grandpa (great-grandpa)

In the evening we celebrated Grandpa's 90th birthday...a little early. His actual birthday is Oct 23rd, but why not celebrate twice :) We sang many songs and shared memories of Grandpa.

Then we took some pictures...

the grandchildren with Grandpa

The girls from the left: Tonya, Carissa, Camille, Tam, Kendra, Donna, Carmen, Natalia, me
The guys:  Michael, Brad, Kyle, Brent, Mitch, Darren (Brian and Matthew weren't able to make it)

the great-grands with GREAT grandpa
there will be 31 total in Sept (not all are pictured)
and there is 1 great-great grandchild :)

Grandpa is pretty GREAT I guess!

To top the night, Mom made popcorn..which is always a hit. Throughout the days we had PLENTY to eat...naturally...it is a Birky get together afterall!!

Cortney and Hailey watching Mom make popcorn

Birky reunion ~~ one

The Birky reunion held in MN at my uncle Stanley's house was this past weekend July 23-25. Brent suggested we ride with them in their van since it has the capacity to seat 8. So, we did. Four children, four adults..it was a cozy ride, but it really worked out quite alright. We left a little after 5 am on Friday and got there 11 hours later. 

One of the "dance parties" we occupied our time with in the van :) It's a nice look for Ben.

Let the weekend begin....

OPENING CEREMONIES:

I was on the Friday night committee, and we were in charge of the opening events for the weekend festivities. We had a series of games/tasks for groups to complete. I must admit, the rest of my group is to take credit for these fun filled activities...I was the score keeper :) Here are several of the random games/tasks...

Ray and Mitch "passing the potato"

Mitch, Dad, Brad attempting to put cotton balls in the bucket using their vaseline dabbed nose only

Russell, Teresa, Kari trying to get a cookie set on their forehead into their mouth using only their face

The Uncles in the peel the potato contest....Kenny is one fast potato peeler!!

It was a nice kick off to the weekend.

After the games were done I couldn't help but notice this...

a beautiful sunset.

and this...

a HUGE double rainbow.  (There was no way to get it all on one picture)

I can't help but think that it was a symbol that Grandma and Shirley were there with us. They were both missed, and definitely not forgotten.

Birky reunion

Off again...this time to Detroit Lakes, MN with Jessica's family in a van! All but a couple from the extended family were gathered at the Birky house. We had games, live entertainment :) , four wheeling, a pig roast, camp fire singing, a hay ride, softball at cow pie stadium, a "bear hunt"...and fellowship. Oh, yes and Ben went fishing almost every night with Mitch and a cousin :) . On Sunday afternoon, some of us went up to Itasca State Park..where the Mississippi River starts..it was a beautiful day. After going to two reunions in a row, we felt fortunate that our families want to get together... often we hear how people dread going to these events!

the view from Stanley and Shirley's front yard...the home where most the events took place (my aunt and uncle)

SISTERS!

Lots of four-wheeling...so FUN!

Entertainment...the 3 sisters (with their daughters arms) making cookies!

the "bear hunt"

Hershberger reunion

Nashville, TN....we drove out in a van with Ben's parents and brother, arriving at Opryland hotel June 12th. The majority of the extended family was already there, and the rest who came arrived on the 13th. It is such a nice place and so BIG! We had a good time touring around Nashville, visiting the Hermitage (Andrew Jackson's home), going out to eat, and my favorite was going to a show at the Grand Old Opry. Much thanks to Grandpa and Grandma Hershberger for their generosity...I know we enjoyed ourselves!

a view from inside the hotel

many magnolia trees...

Grand Old Opry...our favorite group there was this one..."Carolina Chocolate Drops"