Guys Weekend

Daddy spent last weekend AND this weekend with his brothers camping at the family century farm in Shelbina.  They weren't able to take the horses this trip, but that didn't stop them from having a wonderful time together!

Evening at the farm

Charles and Mitch ready to check out the farm!

Their campsite!

Uncle Charles

Uncle Mitch

Mitch, Daddy, and Charles - brothers

the old horse barn

Mitch and Charles - downtown on Center Street in Shelbina.

What a trio!  Mitch, Charles, and Daddy

It may not look like much, but a friend cooks up terrific tenderloins there!!!

bridge flooded out after the storms

Turnip casserole!  Seriously good!  

They always visit the Oak Ridge Church cemetery and stand for a bit at their grandparents headstone.

And Daddy is home!  

Guys Weekend

Last weekend was the fall Guys Weekend get together for Daddy and his brothers.  I was thankful that my three fellas were able to join them for an overnight and day.  It is such a special time to spend with Daddy, Uncle Charles and Uncle Mitch and everyone looks forward to it very much.

Uncle Charles arriving

Daddy all set up

the pretty lake

Uncle Mitch

Jackson, Marvin and Jonathan

Jonathan

Marvin, Jonathan and Jackson

The Old Threshers festival was going on that weekend so they spent some time enjoying that, starting with the fish fry on Thursday evening.  They also visited an old schoolhouse that had recently been moved to the area.

old steam engine

Mitch at the old schoolhouse

checking out the old DeSoto... like one their family had.

car show at Old Threshers

Uncle Charles and Uncle Mitch at Shelby County courthouse

A tradition at Guys Weekend is to spend a day visiting historic family locations such as Lowman Chapel Church, Oak Ridge Church, and the Wood Cemetery.  In previous years they would visit the old post office - until it was torn down a few years ago to widen the highway.  This trip held a sad surprise discovery... the house that Daddy was born in has been torn down.  Gone.  I am thankful we have photos of it from years past.  Of course the general store that Daddy and his siblings grew up in (the living quarters was the entire top level) was torn down many years ago when the highway first was expanded.  Thankfully, the old family churches are still there.  It all makes me even more grateful that my boys know their family history - and that we have made a habit of visiting 'home places' all of our lives.  At least when they are gone, we can cherish and remember them.  That is so important.

Marvin, Mitch, Charles, Jonathan and Jackson - at Oak Ridge Baptist Church

Marvin, Mitch, Charles, Daddy, Jackson

cemetery at Oak Ridge

Daddy, Mitch, Jonathan, Marvin, Charles

at Lowman Chapel Methodist Church 

Mitch, Charles, Jonathan, Marvin, Jackson

Uncle Charles inside Lowman Chapel  (they always go in and sign the guest book)   :)

at the Wood Family cemetery

the old general store - they lived on the top floor 

the old post office before it was torn down

the old garage from next to the general store - it survived a few decades beyond the store...

the house where my Daddy was born (his grandparents house)... now gone.  :(

Aunt Marjorie in front of the old school - it is still there!

Oak Ridge in the early 1990's

the Wood family homeplace - just barely hanging in there...

Daddy and Marvin at Prairie Homestead Pulling Horse Farm

So many memories...

Guys Weekend

Still playing catch up on September happenings around here...

Mid-September found my fellas heading down to Shelbina with Daddy to meet up with Uncle Charles and Uncle Mitch for their biannual Guys Weekend.  The fall Guys Weekend coincides with the NEMO Old Threshers festival which is a wonderful celebration of the history of farming methods and machinery.  I remember attending these festivals as a child myself and used to love them.  Jackson's photos reminded me of one of my favorite parts - the homemade amusement rides.  Now, before you get worried or think it is nothing but a redneck festival, know that this is a festival that celebrates our rural heritage and celebrates ingenuity and workmanship.  Everything is safe and fun.   :)  Here are some photos of the fellas enjoying Old Threshers.

Jackson, Jonathan, Uncle Charles and Marvin

Uncle Charles and Daddy

Daddy and Uncle Charles looking at the generator that actually provided
power to Lentner when they were kids. Pretty cool!

the generator on display at Old Threshers

Here is a glimpse at some of the rides - all powered by tractors!

More tractor power generated rides.

I loved these as a kid!!!

This particular Old Threshers festival was celebrating its 25th year.  But, there are many, many throughout the midwest and have been for decades.  (Obviously, since I attended them as a child...)   :D

Back at camp the guys enjoyed lots of time together visiting and, of course, eating.  :)  Uncle Mitch is the primary chef for these get togethers, with Uncle Charles filling in at least one meal.  My guys luck out and just have to eat.  What a deal...  :)

Uncle Charles and Uncle Mitch camped at the homestead.

Daddy and my fellas camped at the homestead.

Uncle Mitch, chef extraordinaire, fixing supper.

Uncle Charles cooking ribs one night.

The fellas also made the rounds to some important 'family history' locations in Shelby County.  This is a tradition during Guys Weekend.  I love the stories that come up each time they visit these places - important oral family history being passed down through the generations.

At the Wood family cemetery.

Inside Lowman Chapel.  (They always go in and sign the guestbook -
every single time they are in Shelbina.)   :)

Uncle Mitch, Uncle Charles and Daddy at their parents grave.

Uncle Mitch, Uncle Charles, Daddy, Jonathan and Marvin.

Uncle Mitch, Uncle Charles, Daddy, Jackson and Marvin

I am so thankful that these Guys Weekends exist and am doubly thankful that my boys get to be a part of them.  Those are quite the photos of three generations of wonderful men that I respect, admire and love very, very much.