Family Picnic

Early in the summer we got an invite to a family picnic out in Birkenfeld, which is just NW of Mist, if you know where that is.  It looked like it would be a fun time, and get us out of our comfort zone a little bit, and possibly meet some new people.  Another bonus to the picnic was that they were going to have a speaker, SM Davis.  We initially heard him speak on some CD's that we purchased from Vision Forum, but you can also learn about him at his website http://www.solvefamilyproblems.com/.   The farm that hosted the picnic was tucked back in the forest off a gravel road, with a rustic cabin/house and small fenced pastures.  It was beautiful and very remote.

Here is the parking situation, cars lining the gravel road, and young men directing you to your spot.

Everything started with a potluck lunch, and there was plenty of great food.

We ran into a few families that we know from Alert Cadets, a couple from church, and Jennie's crochet/sewing teacher (Katie Organ) from grade school.

After lunch the had SM Davis speak, and his topic was on the Influence of Older children on younger children.  I kept checking to see if Ethan was listening ;-) 

Oh, before the speaker there was some music, and this old hay wagon was the stage, and we all sat under the tree's on hay bales or in camp chairs.

This couple did a short kids program, and had all the kids come up front for it.

SM Davis speaking.  Sometimes in gatherings like this someone will accent a point with an "Amen", but SM Davis got a "Moooo" from the calf in the pasture next to the stage.  SM Davis was pretty sure that had never happened to him before in all his years of speaking.

After the first speaking session these guys set up a volleyball net, and they had a few organized kids games.

Kids playing games in the field.

Lily starting to wind down after not getting a nap.

Listening to the speaker.

It was beautiful setting.

There was a drawing for a gift basket, and we actually won.  In the basket was a nice rug, some homemade soap and lotion, a crocheted dishrag, and a gift card to Shari's.  

We ended up getting home around 10:30 that night, but it was a lot of fun, and we did meet some new people and refresh an old relationship.