So where did our plane trips take us last week?
To Wisconsin!
Sarah and Gage flew out separately and spent a few days doing their own Wisconsin tour, then joined up with the rest of us for a family reunion last Saturday at my sister, Ruth’s, house.
My mom was on hand to greet each arrival. Here’s my oldest brother (and amazing photographer), Tim.
And then these two were the next arrivals.
It was such a sweet moment when Sarah introduced her husband to her Grandma Campbell for the first time.
Our day included a great meal, blowing stuff up (more on that in another post), raspberry picking, and the annual hayless hayride.
Mom loves nature and family so she was a happy woman!
She and Janice (Ruth’s mother-in-law) were the official Hayless Hayride Matriarchs.
There are always a few dogs and kids along.
Gage absolutely loved the whole experience. Sarah had been talking it up to him and he was not disappointed.
At one point, Gage just decided he wanted to ride along on his back staring up at the sky. So that’s what he did!
A few family members: Aunt Cheri is on the left; Berit (Tim’s wife) is in the middle.
Aunt Cheri played a huge role in our lives back in 1980. There was a big Christan rally in Washington, D.C., with about 300,000 people in attendance. I wanted to go on a bus from our church but it was $75 and our family couldn’t afford it. Aunt Cheri said, “Becky, I just feel like you need to go on this trip so I’m going to pay your way.”
And that’s the bus I met Steve on. Let’s hear it for Aunt Cheri!
I told Gage if it wasn’t for Aunt Cheri, Sarah wouldn’t be his wife. Let’s just say he was one thankful guy.
I captured a few shots of the newlyweds throughout the day.
I also captured this sweet girl; my great-niece. (Ruth’s granddaughter.)
The day was all about family. Here is Tim and Berit’s son, Andrew, with Mom.
As always, Ruth’s house was replete with loveliness.
This is an old door she salvaged and put in her bedroom.
The sun porch is always a favorite stop of mine.
Many new memories were made on that lovely October day. I’m thankful for every single person; every single memory.
Many more Wisconsin memories and posts will be coming. Stay tuned!
What about you? Have you done any traveling in the past few weeks? If so, where?
Have you ever been on a hayride? (With our without hay?)
Does your family have reunions? How often? What is something you especially enjoy about them?
Sarah is looking great! She and Gage are such a cute couple. That’s pretty amazing that if it hadn’t been for your Aunt Cheri you wouldn’t have met Steve. Looks like you had beautiful weather in Wisconsin.
Your sister Ruth is quite the decorator, her home is lovely and I love the sunroom, always wanted one but the back of our house is the north side so it wouldn’t be very sunny.
No big family reunions for us as most of the families were not very large or quite a distance away. My side of the family usually gets together for our annual fish fry (minus the past two years) and several holidays.
Kari,
Yes, doesn’t Sarah look great? Eating well and gaining weight and a happy new bride. Does my heart good.
A family fish fry is good, even though it isn’t both sides of the family. It’s just nice to gather with people you love and eat good food.
What a fabulous trip for all of you! How fun and to have Gage meet his Grandmother-in-love is such a blessing for both of them!
We’ve been to Nashville for a quick weekend trip to watch our Georgia Bulldogs play and that was the first time we’ve spent time in downtown. The music scene is alive and well there!
I love a hayride but I think I’d really love a hayless ride! (I’m allergic!) I haven’t been on one in quite awhile since my children are all grown up but I have a grandson on the way so maybe fun things like this are on the way again!
Family reunions – we do have them on my Mother’s side of the family every 3 years or so but we get together with our immediate family (about 35 folks and growing) 2-4 times a year. We love seeing everyone.
Blessings!
Suzanne,
I’ve only been to Nashville once but would love to return. Such a cool city!
Congrats on the coming grandson. Many fun times are ahead for you.
Thirty-five in an immediate family is a lot. Glad you get to see each other often; such a treasure.
It looks like you had an amazing time in Wisconsin! It’s awesome you have those traditions to celebrate with your whole family , old and new members. Our main tradition is a large gathering at Thanksgiving for my husbands side of the family. It was started by his grandmother (who has since passed away) probably 50 years ago. Her 8 children, their spouses and 26 grandchildren . Then add their children and grandchildren and we usually have between 100-120 people for dinner. We hold it at a fire dept and the great aunts and a few cousins supervise the cooking for a few days ahead. Everyone works together to get the meal on the table and cleaned up. We live in Central NY and people come in from Ga, Fl, S. Carolina, Tennessee, and California it is a great yo connect and catch up with everyone.
Traveled to the Jersey shore earlier this summer with my husband and will be flying to Fl later this week for a few days to see my daughter.
Looking forward to more Wisconsin pictures!
Michele,
What a great tradition to carry on for fifty years. I especially love to think of the children and grandchildren coming along who will actually get to know all the branches of their family instead of them just being pictures in a photobook or on a phone. Such a great heritage for them and a lot of fun for the older ones, too. I imagine the food is fabulous with all those cooks.
Enjoy seeing your daughter!
What a wonderful trip! I did my traveling back in July, and haven’t been anywhere since school resumed. I absolutely LOVE the picture of Gage meeting your Mom. It looks like everyone enjoyed Wisconsin. I look forward to hearing more about it – and what all y’all blew up! Have a wonderful week.
Sue Ellen,
You know, you just can’t have a good family reunion without something blowing up, can you? Fortunately, it was an intentional blow up, so that’s good! 🙂
While my husband was away receiving mental health treatment, my four year old son and I treated OURSELVES by going on a short trip to the Outer Banks for the first time (only took 6 years of living in Raleigh to make it!). We had the most healing, joyful, beautiful time. It was JUST what we needed.
I wish I had Ruth’s decorating abilities! She really does have treasures tucked away everywhere.
Ellen
So glad you got to our beautiful corner of the world and especially thankful it was so therapeutic for you and your sweet son. Next time you’re around, let us know!
Yes, Ruth is definitely a creative decorator.
A family reunion in Wisconsin is the perfect travel destination. Each photo is so special, especially the ‘Hayless Hayride Matriarchs’ and Ruth’s sweet granddaughter.
How awesome that Aunt Cheri invited you on the bus trip back in 1980, and how wonderful that you and Steve met on this bus trip!!! Bravo .. Bravo Aunt Cheri!!!
I plan to visit my brother and sister in a couple of weeks. It has been quite a while since we have spent time together. I very much look forward to seeing them.
Thank you for sharing.
Gloria,
Glad to know you’ll be seeing family soon and having your own mini-reunion. It’s amazing how fast time slips by between visits with family.
And yes, we are ALL thankful for Aunt Cheri and her $75 investment that will pay off for many years to come.
The pic of mom was perfect…
Alone with woods in background on wagon ride.
Keziah pics so cute too!
I love the one of -sage-…
under the rusty circle and white veil.
So unique.
Your photos are usually with a twist or turn in them.
Was a fun time for sure.
P.s. Steve behaved well also. Lol
Ruth
Ruth,
I know, I loved that picture of mom, too. Caught her looking so relaxed and joyful.
Keziah is one cute kid!
I wish I would have had more time with Sage under the rusty circle. Such a cool setting. And yes, I’m glad Steve behaved himself. 🙂
How wonderful to have your mom still with you – that she can enjoy the outing also. That sun porch is so cozy looking and feeling. Great pictures of some wonderful folks. Looks like we sent some sunny weather to you on your vacation.
Sharyn,
We definitely had sunny weather and also warm weather. So rare for Wisconsin in mid-October.
And yes, I am grateful beyond words that my mom is still around to enjoy nature with. She was definitely in her happy place.
hooray for Cupid Cheri. Mom looks so pretty. I used to have Dad/child hayrides for my Junior Kindergartners, followed by a cook-out. so happy you had a family reunion, and that Gage was able to meet all the folks.
Mrs. Pam,
Cupid Cheri. Love that!
How fun to have hayrides for your little ones; I know they had a ball.
I had a feeling Wisconsin might be your destinations. I’m sure Grandma Campbell enjoyed meeting Gage and vice versa. Let’s hear it for Aunt Cheri paying your way on the bus trip!
The only place I have traveled to lately is my parents’ house in Southwest Missouri, population less than 4000. I’ve spent the better part of two weeks there going through things to prepare for an estate sale and then to sell the house. Not a very exciting place and I’m tired of the limited number of restaurants (mostly fast food) they have there. However, I am off again tomorrow as the dumpster I ordered to clean out two sheds is being delivered tomorrow. I thought it would be Friday before I got it so am thankful I’m getting it 4 days earlier.
It’s been a long time but I have been on more than one hay ride – along with said hay.
My dad’s side of the family has been having reunions for over 50 years. My aunt was always the spearhead though and since she’s been in the nursing home and with COVID, there hasn’t been one the last couple years. I haven’t been to one in ages as the relatives are so distant that I don’t really know them well. They were always the first Sunday in June which always seemed to fall on my mom’s birthday (June 6th) or their anniversary (June 4th).
Phyllis,
I know you will be grateful to have this big transition with the sale of your parents’ home behind you. That is such a huge job–tiring emotionally and physically, both.
You’re blessed to be in a family that has had reunions for fifty years. That’s great!
Great photos! Ruth’s house is always cleverly decorated with lots of love. How wonderful that so many could attend the family reunion. Sarah and Gage look very happy. Your mom is so sweet, she must treasure these visits with everyone. I’m going to have a new grand niece shortly, very exciting!
We don’t have family reunions, Mostly because we don’t have many people to reunite lol. Both my parents had no siblings and I only have 2 siblings, one of whom never married or had children. So basically its my sister and I with our 6 kids in total, all boys except Sarah. All the BOYS 🙂 Hahaha. They are busy adding wives and beginning the path of bringing us grandchildren, so no complaints there, although a couple of the wives are questionable lol. Gotta keep a sense of humor. My sister used to say that one day we will have a big thanksgiving at her house and all the wives will be sitting at the table and none of them will like each other. Ahhhh sisters, nothing like them, they are the best.
Thoroughly enjoyed this bonus post!
Lesley,
That’s a lot of boys! It IS interesting to see who sons and nephews end up marrying and then watching how those women fit it into the overall fabric of the family. Never a dull moment in the always shifting tapestry. But hooray for grandchildren and a new grand niece! So thankful for those little humans that come along to enrich our lives.
How wonderful that Gage got to meet your mom and family! It looks like a great gathering and beautiful weather too. Sarah and Gage just look so happy together!
Ruth’s knack for turning old things into pretty decor is just awesome! I really love the salvaged door!
We haven’t gone more than a hundred miles from home for quite some time. We are really looking forward to getting on a plane and going somewhere, hopefully soon.
As for family reunions, we don’t have them. We used to but the ones who always organized them are now gone and it seems like whenever my daughter and I try to get one going, everyone is always too busy. Pretty sad. The only time we all get together is for funerals or weddings.
I went on a hayride many, many years ago. (like 40-ish) There was lots of hay, the wagon was pulled by horses and it was night time with a clear, beautiful sky. Perfect!
Lee Anne,
Your hayride sounds like a blast, especially being pulled by horses. That’s the genuine article. And not to mention, you had actual hay! 🙂
I think you’re right that family reunions are becoming more of a thing of the past with most family gatherings relegated to funerals and weddings. Our families are so much more scattered than they were a generation ago; it makes things complicated.
Hoping you got to see some of the glorious fall color. At first glance, I thought Andrew was Nathan. True cousin resemblance!
So glad Gage was able to meet your family.
Liz,
Yes, Nathan and Andrew have always looked like each other. I wish they got to see each other more.
Unfortunately, the colors were very muted this year; something about the weather temps and dryness.
Sounds like a great family trip and that is the best. We haven’t traveled in the last 2 months. My Mom’s family has a family reunion every June (except in 2020 pandemic mode) and this has been going on for over 60 years. My Dad’s family had a big reunion in 86 (wow that sounds so long ago) to celebrate the 100th year since my great grandfather founded the now defunct town of Zook Kansas with his 10 kids. I have not been on any hayride, but it has always sounded fun.
Patti,
Good for you in continuing to have your family reunions when so many of them are sort of falling by the wayside.
And I love that your great grandfather founded an actual town with ten kids. I’m sure there are a lot of stories behind that story.
So glad you all could go to your family reunion. It looked like a lot of fun. I know Gage enjoyed meeting your Mom and all your side of the family.
We use to have family reunions but not anymore. I miss seeing everyone.
I actually went on a hayride this weekend with my son, daughter in law and our 3 year old grandson. We road a while and then were dropped off at a pumpkin patch. There were also animals to feed, a little train to ride and other things for the kids (and adults) to do. And it did have hay.
Have a great week.
Joy,
What a perfect outing for a 3-year old. Hay, a wagon, a pumpkin patch, a train, and animals! Could anything be better for that little fella! (And his accompanying adults?)