Fun Family Trip to Iowa...

This past weekend we headed to the booming metropolis of Osage, Iowa for the Troge Family Reunion of which I believe pictures are worth MORE than a thousand words!!

A beautiful sunset when we stopped off the road for some dinner in Nebraska...
at RUUUUNNZZZZZA
later in the night we ran into bugs...LOTS of bugs...it seriously sounded like it was raining so many were hitting the windshield. This is the windshield the next morning after already having cleared it off 5 times while driving!
We FINALLY arrived in Osage after 13 hours of driving...it is a bit windy in Osage...ALL THE TIME!!
We had to get some chairs from Aunt Harriet's church and they were getting ready for a rummage sale...so Joel and Sam decided they would start rummaging. Joel found some new kicks and a new hat.
Sam found what has to be one of the most dangerous inventions ever invented! We are still not quite sure the purpose...
he also found a kids bike which he road all over the church.
Then it was time to visit Aunt Harriet (whose 90th birthday was part of the weekend festivities). After visiting her Sam and Joel fired up the whiffleball.
Then we moved on to more lawn games. Eric and Joel took on...
Sam and Kevin...
who then played Ben and Ryan...
and Tricia and Steve. We spent a LOT of time playing yard games while in Iowa...pretty much took over the back side of the hotel!

The next day we had lunch at this Inn in the next town over, which amazingly was even smaller than Osage!
our group was so big we had to split into two rooms
This door decoration fascinated us...there really isn't anything missing from it. Fairy-check, Beads-check, Flowers- check, Lights-check, Branches-check...AMAZING!
all of this was found at the Blue Belle Inn we had to take a big family pic...in the meantime Sam and Joel hammed it up for a few pics

and another
FINALLY...the family photo
and then some more whiffle ball
followed by the car tour of Osage and surrounding areas
a few barns along the way...I LOVE barns!

Then we stopped at the family church.
Sam picked some beautiful flowers that were growing along the road side.
which is titled in German of course...
the Troge men (Ryan, Ben, Caleb, Eric, Joel, Sam)
Then to the cemetary to do a ceremony for the grandparents and the moving of the headstone.

a shadow pic in the mix
Some of the gravestones are really old, full of Troge history.
Then back to Osage where the local computer store offers to get rid of Vista for you. Me, having used Vista and hated it, understands why there would be such a demand for its removal.
Osage...apparently known for its maples...just don't ask Sam where the name Osage originates from!

Main Street

Then it was time for the official reunion night. We gathered at Harriet's church for some pizza, games, and dessert.

But first...the blessing provided by Sam's mom:

FAMILY REUNIONS

Your mercy, O God, is from generation to generation.

From everlasting to everlasting, You are God.

We praise You for setting the solitary in families.

It is not good for us to be alone.

We are thankful for

husbands and wives who love each other

children who show honor and love

elders who temper novelty with wisdom

youth who dare to dream and risk themselves for a better world

We are thankful for each other.

When we have been thoughtless or thankless,

When we expect others to be perfect but not ourselves,

When we have gossiped or criticized,

Good Lord, forgive us!

When we have been jealous or boastful,

When we have been arrogant or rude,

When we have been irritable or resentful,

Good Lod, forgive us and plant your love in our hearts!

In our time together grant that we may discover new joys in each other,

remember past experiences with thanksgiving,

and server one another, and You, in gladness.

We ask You to hear us, O Lord.

At all times, O Lord,

When we are together or when we are apart,

help us remember the obnd that unites us

and be ready to bear one another's burdens

or rejoice in each other's blessings through your Son,

our Brother, Jesus Christ...

HAPPY FAMILY REUNION!!!

after dinner...more whiffle ball, this time with our nephew Ruben who is quite the player!
here he is pitching to his dad JD, one of our other nephews
Osage...on the way out of town...let the 13 hour journey begin!!