My maternal grandpa turned 80 years old on Saturday. The whole family (over 30 of us in total) traveled to my Aunt Kathy's house in Indiana to celebrate. We had a pig roast and were supposed to have a hot air balloon but the weather didn't cooperate. Seeing the actual pig roasting was a bit disturbing. But the result was delicious.
The little kids (great grandkids) ran around the yard and played for hours, and my children were in heaven. It's so fun to see them interact with other kids. Grandpa Gene has nine great grandchildren in total.
Maren enjoyed cornhole the most.
I so enjoyed the "cousin time". As I've grown older I've come to realize just how unusual my family is, in that we are so close. We are a tight-knit group, and being around them feels like home to me. My heart ached for Meredith to be with us, especially since we were at the exact location of her wedding. She would have had the best time with us.
Here are grandma and grandpa Warner with their kids plus spouses.
No Warner get together in the fall is complete without a hayride. My grandparents used to have a farm - the same place my mom grew up - until a few years ago. Since the tractor, trailer, and hay are not available at their new house in town, we have to improvise on this fall tradition. Aunt Kathy borrowed a trailer from a friend, bought a few bales of hay, and we were pulled behind my cousin's SUV. Not your traditional hayride, but it worked.
Another requirement for Warner hayrides is that we sing Christmas carols while we enjoy the ride. Don't ask why. Warner requested we sing Jingle Bells multiple times.
Instead of a gift, the cousins all gave Grandpa a bag full of items that reminded us of him. It was so fun to tell our story of why we included the item as Grandpa pulled each one from the bag. My memories included he and Grandma visiting me in Europe when I was studying abroad, and the two horses they bought for me on their farm when I was younger. Oh, how I loved those horses.
Of course no birthday celebration is complete without cake. Grandpa, I'm so thankful for you and the man that you are. You have established a legacy of faith and character that will be passed on for generations. We love you.
My maternal grandpa turned 80 years old on Saturday. The whole family (over 30 of us in total) traveled to my Aunt Kathy's house in Indiana to celebrate. We had a pig roast and were supposed to have a hot air balloon but the weather didn't cooperate. Seeing the actual pig roasting was a bit disturbing. But the result was delicious.
The little kids (great grandkids) ran around the yard and played for hours, and my children were in heaven. It's so fun to see them interact with other kids. Grandpa Gene has nine great grandchildren in total. 
Maren enjoyed cornhole the most.
I so enjoyed the "cousin time". As I've grown older I've come to realize just how unusual my family is, in that we are so close. We are a tight-knit group, and being around them feels like home to me. My heart ached for Meredith to be with us, especially since we were at the exact location of her wedding. She would have had the best time with us.
Here are grandma and grandpa Warner with their kids plus spouses.
No Warner get together in the fall is complete without a hayride. My grandparents used to have a farm - the same place my mom grew up - until a few years ago. Since the tractor, trailer, and hay are not available at their new house in town, we have to improvise on this fall tradition. Aunt Kathy borrowed a trailer from a friend, bought a few bales of hay, and we were pulled behind my cousin's SUV. Not your traditional hayride, but it worked.
Another requirement for Warner hayrides is that we sing Christmas carols while we enjoy the ride. Don't ask why. Warner requested we sing Jingle Bells multiple times.
Instead of a gift, the cousins all gave Grandpa a bag full of items that reminded us of him. It was so fun to tell our story of why we included the item as Grandpa pulled each one from the bag. My memories included he and Grandma visiting me in Europe when I was studying abroad, and the two horses they bought for me on their farm when I was younger. Oh, how I loved those horses.
Of course no birthday celebration is complete without cake. Grandpa, I'm so thankful for you and the man that you are. You have established a legacy of faith and character that will be passed on for generations. We love you.
2 comments:
What a special time! I love the idea of the bag of things that remind you of him instead of gifts. The memories he will have from that will mean so much more than a material gift. I love to see families enjoying each others company and you guys sound like a lot of fun.
It was an amazing weekend, indeed, Laura. I'm not sure I've ever thanked you for honoring the family name from which I come by naming your first son by that name, but it is certainly one of the best gifts you could ever give me. And thank Kevin for the amazing man he was on Saturday and Sunday; putting up with the Warner gang. You have quite a guy, sweetie.
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