Our 2nd Nelson Heidner Family Reunion

Three years ago we had our first Nelson Heidner Family Reunion at Beacon Bible Camp.  We had a really good turnout, tons of fun visiting, getting aquainted with new members of the family, both kids and in-laws, playing games, and hanging out.  So much fun in fact, that we decided to do another reunion in 3 years. 

The time has arrived! 

This time around the reunion was held at Lustre Christian High School.  We had a good turnout again - about 75 family members.  It is a really neat mix of ages.  When I was growing up, family reunions were for the "old people".  LOL  Its so fun to see all ages gather together.  Nelson Heidner was my dad's father, so the reunion is for all of his kids, grandkids, great-grandkids.  I think I counted the right number of generations!    

my cousin, Jay, and I got people registered and signed up for activities, rooms, family photos, etc.

Each family took turns preparing a meal.  Ours was on Saturday night.  We started smoking pork butts for pulled pork sandwiches on Friday night, checking it every couple of hours during the night.  Judy, Rhonda and I made coleslaw and baked beans, Judy, Rhonda & Amy made cookies for dessert.  We also had watermelon slices, veggies and ranch, chips. 

We had some delicious meals at the reunion.  There are some really great cooks in the family, and it was like sitting down at each others' tables sharing a good meal, great conversation and "family".  Of course some great recipes were exchanged too.

Quite a few signed up for a FastFAB tour.  Tony's welding business, FastFAB, builds  hopper bottoms for grain bins.  There was a lot of interest in seeing the building process.

another activity - horseshoes!  Greg Heidner & Dwaine Wall

Whenever Heidners get together, there are always games.  Favorites include Dutch Blitz, and Grandma Ruth's favorites of Rummifun and Scrabble.  Here Brenden and Bonnie play Jenga

and usually a puzzle comes out.

Along with the fun and games, we do some serious visiting.  Uncle Dale had a video he showed one  night which included home videos from when his family and alot of our cousins were little, and also pictures and video from past reunions.  It was fun to see, and pretty special.  There are a few most precious loved ones who are no longer with us.  How nice to see them again.  Thank you, Dale.