This past weekend was the time for the annual chicken BBQ for our family. This is something I remember going to as a kid - it's been held for over 50 years.
My Dad has invited the whole family every year and this year he did again. My brother is in Africa on a hunting expedition and my sister Cheri and family were driving home from vacation, so our numbers were down. My sister Terri, husband Dave, daughter Katelyn and husband Nathan and Daughter Chelsea were there, along with our Heather and Andrew, and Laura, Aaron and Girls. My step-moms friend Phyllis came along too so we were still a big group.
When we arrived, the community band was playing.
Lots of people were sitting outside enjoying the music, others were enjoying music and chicken at the same time.
Look at all that chicken!
We got in line and got our food. I love grilled chicken!
Here's the group filling up a table.
Dad and Ann - Ann is making a face because I am pointing the camera at her!
Ruby is also making faces at my camera!
Bob and Laura with the girls.
Alaina and Ruby giving Great Grandpa a hug and a thank you after dinner. He just lights up when he sees them.
After we ate the were tractors to sit on and animals to see.
baby goats...
soft, furry bunnies...
A pig, a billy goat and ducks...
Some cute fluffy sheep...
a little donkey...
and little chickens. Alaina was so happy to hold this one.
Then we got to take a wagon ride.
The girls were excited to go for this ride.
It wasn't long - just a ride around the back of the park.
We saw a few barns, a pond and fields! Then we were back at the main part of the park again.
And then it was time to go...
We were told this was the last time this would happen. It's getting harder to put this on and to get volunteers to grill chicken, set it up and work it.
We've had a lot of fun years here!
12 comments:
What a fun and long running event. I hope they find volunteers to continue the tradition.
I enjoyed your photos, Mari. The grilled chicken looks delicious. Looks like everyone had a good time. My family had reunions each September as I was growing up. It just became too difficult to manage but I have lots of fond memories of those times together. Wishing you a nice day.
Aww, that's sad this will be the last time, it looks like a wonderful day. The girls have grown so big, smiles.
50 years is a long time to be committed to something and I am sure it has been appreciated. Glad the girls got to experience it. That was a lot of chicken:)
Love seeing the girls with their great grandfather. What a blessing for all of them.
Such a beautiful day for your beautiful family to enjoy! Such a nice tradition! The photo's are very nice, Mari. And, you know how much we enjoy seeing those two little ones; Alaina and Ruby! :)
xoxo
What a lovely family event! Times are changing however. Younger folks have other ways of connecting and often are not interested in all the work and commitment it takes to run an event like this. Our annual Stauffer Camping weekend is another thing that will probably be discontinuing, because our generation is getting tired of all the hard work. We will be trying a day event instead.
Looks like you all had a blast!
Bittersweet to know it was the last time, but oh what great memories you've all made :)
Have a happy new week.
~K.
How sad to see such a great community/family event end after so many years. Those kinds of get-togethers are what makes America, America. Those girls are so cute and are growing up too fast. Thanks for sharing your weekend with us, Mari!
It looks like an amazing party, lots of fun and tradition. I'm sure many people will be sad to see it go...glad you got to enjoy it one more time.
Could not love this more Mari. Such a precious and fun tradition! You have the most fun family!! Can I be adopted? Just sayin 😉
Nooooo! I look forward to this every year! I can almost smell and taste that wonderful chicken. And that sheep's face ... I laughed out loud. He looks bewildered. Also, R&A have always looked practically interchangeable but in the pic of them on the wagon, I cannot tell them apart. I thought R was A and I had to go back and reference the picture of A cradling the little chicken to be sure. But then me pirate eyes are not what they used to be. And the last shot made them mist over, so ... xoxo
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