Favorite Reunion Memory

I thought it would be nice if everyone posted their favorite memory of the Bylund Bash 2009...the Lincolns will start.

Carma: Sitting outside at the picnic tables talking to everyone.
Greg: The family talent show.
Thurman: Going golfing, making molten cakes for everyone, playing Settlers, running around the dark field at night with Aunt Kristen, Nico and Anna with the glow sticks
Nicholas: Same as Thurman (minus the Settlers)

A Few Family Pics

Thanks to everyone for a great reunion! We had a fabulous time. I'm looking forward to seeing all the other pictures that Michelle is compiling. In the meantime, here are a few of the family photos.

Updated weather forecast

Thu Jul 2

Partly Cloudy

76°
61°

20% precip.

Fri Jul 3

Partly Cloudy

78°
61°

20% precip.

Sat Jul 4

Partly Cloudy

83°
63°

10% precip.

Sun Jul 5

Partly Cloudy

82°
62°

10% precip.

Mon Jul 6

Partly Cloudy

80°
62°

10% precip.

No Keg

Sorry to report that the root beer keg that was planned for has fallen through. I will try my best to get some bottles to bring at least.

More practical info

For anyone who hasn't come across this info yet, I pulled this directly from the Drummer Boy Campsite website:

Our Lofts can accommodate up to 8 people they include; a queen bed in the downstairs bedroom,queen bed in the loft bedroom and a queen sofa sleeper in the living room. The second Loft area can be used for sleeping and /or playing. For your convenience a second air conditioning unit has been provided to keep you comfortable on those warm nights or relax on the spacious furnished deck.

All Loft rentals include the following: electricity, water, heat, air conditioning, full bathroom with flushing toilet, tub & shower, color TV, DVD player, linens for the full and queen beds, full size stove, refrigerator, microwave, coffee pot, toaster, pots & pans, basic cookware, dishes, utensils, picnic table & fire ring.

Gettysburg Grocery & Shopping

I think Carma may have mentioned this in a previous post or comment, but there is a Giant Food store just about 2 miles from our campground. From all reviews, it sounds excellent. There is also apparently a Wal-Mart across the street from that store.

Games, anyone?

Hi, I was wondering what games people are bringing/have brought. We have Settlers of Catan (and Cities and Knights), St Petersburg, and Sorry for Anna (I mean the game Sorry. "Sorry for Anna" is not a game that I know of). If you can let us know if anyone else is already bringing those, that would be great. We don't have a whole lot of room in our suitcases. Thanks!

How's the Weather?

Just checked in on next week's forecast. Looks really nice: not too hot, some chances of rain. Of course there will be a more accurate forecast in a few days so we'll see if we want to reschedule any activity later.

Thursday, Jul 2
A thunderstorm possible
Low: 63 °F
High: 82 °F

Friday, Jul 3
Humid with rain
Low: 60 °F
High: 83 °F

Saturday, Jul 4
Partly sunny
Low: 56 °F
High: 87 °F

Sunday, Jul 5
Mostly sunny
Low: 59 °F
High: 84 °F

Monday, Jul 6
Spotty showers in the morning
Low: 66 °F
High: 85 °F

Firecracker 5K?

Would anyone be interested in running a family firecracker 5K on the morning of the fourth of July? If so, I thought this might be one course option...the exact same course that the Spirit of Gettysburg 5K uses the following week. The course is one of the few road races to be held on Civil War battlegrounds and is rated one of the best historical runs in the country. The course tours the first day of the famous July 1863 Battle of Gettysburg.

"Watch Me Time 2009"

Hello all,

You may remember the FHE tradition in which we, as young impressionable children, waited anxiously in the closet as everyone else shouted "We want [insert your name here]", until we could stand no more. We rushed out the door, performed our latest stunts and received everyone's undivided attention.

Well, the time has arrived again! We are looking for volunteers to perform in "Watch Me Time 2009". We have already scheduled:

1. Supercalifragilisitcexpialidocious: Thurman, Nico
2. Clogging: Kristen, Emily P., and Emily B.(?), choreographed by Kristen
3. Dancing Granny: Nana
4. Juggling: Kevin, with audience participation.
5. Litigation: Richie.
6. Integration: Michelle (by parts if needed).
7. Sound of Music Excerpt: All Von Trapp (read: Bylund) children, Captain and Frauline Maria.

With the inimitable Greg and Ducky as co-MCs.

Hurry and sign up!

Tentative Schedule & Assignments

With just three weeks until our reunion, here is a schedule! Comment or contact me and I will edit the post accordingly for any changes and additions. (I have only listed those in charge of meals, and not helpers yet.) I know not everyone has an assignment yet; I'll be contacting you...

THURSDAY

• Check in is after 3 pm
• 5 pm Devotional & Welcome: Opa
• Dinner : Jenny & Michelle
• T-Shirt Unveiling and Handout: Kristen
• Evening Activity: Game night
  

FRIDAY

• 7 am Morning Walk led by Kristen
• 9 am: Gettysburg Visitor's Center
• Lunch (pack your own picnic lunch)
• Afternoon -- Gettysburg Battlefield Sites (Jenny & Aaron)
• 6 pm Devotional: Eric
• Dinner: Emily P. &
• 7 pm Bylund Family Variety Show: Kevin

SATURDAY, 4th of JULY!

• 7 am Walk led by Carma
• Morning: Family Campground Activities (Fishing Pond, Scavenger Hunt, Relays, crafts)
• Afternoon: Waterslide & Activity Pool are open 11 am - 6 pm
• 5 pm Devotional: Michelle
• Dinner: Nana & Opa,
• Fireworks
• Evening: STATIONS (Wii, Rook, Kids' Movie, Yoga)

SUNDAY

• 9 AM Attend Hanover Ward in New Oxford
• Family Picture: Jenny
• Lunch
• Afternoon is Family Sunday Time: Nana & Opa
• 5 pm Devotional: Kevin
• Dinner Waffle Night: Carma &
• Evening: Book Discussion on "Team of Rivals" led by Richard

MONDAY

• 7 am Morning Walk led by Nana
• 9 am "Financial Settlement" meeting
• Check out by 11 am

Since breakfasts and lunches are each family's responsibility, please talk to your "loftmates" if you want to coordinate those meals. I have more details on most items included on this schedule, so let me know if you have questions. I'm planning to post of copy of the schedule in each loft.

Towels, linens, etc.

I just called Drummer Boy with some questions about linens and towels. They said that they do provide towels, but not daily laundering service. I think those of us who are driving and have room in our cars may be wise to pack a few towels - particularly swimming and beach towels.

I also asked some questions about linens/pillows. They said that they have linens and pillows but only for the 2 beds (queen and full) in every loft - not for the pull out couches, and then obviously not for the loft areas where we will be making beds with air mattresses and sleeping bags. I can bring 2-3 sets of sheets and blankets as well as 4 pillows, but others may want to do so too.

We will also bring our air mattress and a couple of sleeping bags for the loft areas. Emily and Richard - can you bring your air mattress as well?

What about babies and cribs? Jenny and Kevin will you be bringing pack and plays for your kiddos? Michelle, I think we have one still in storage we can pull out for Rachel.

Aunt Jenny Wants You!

I understand that there must be a head to every reunion and as I have agreed to be the said head, here I am:I have condensed all the blog posts/comments into a page of schedules and notes. I will post that for everyone's review as soon as I get a few more things filled in. For now, the volunteers I am looking for are:



1) Meals. We need dinner volunteers for Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. You will either be in charge of your night or be assisting. (Carma is planning to prepare Sunday dinner but I'm sure she would like helpers.) If you don't care which night you are in charge/helping, please say so and I'll make your assignment. Each family/cabin will be responsible for their own breakfasts and lunches. Thanks to Greg for taking responsibility of the root beer.



2) Family Prayer. We'll have family prayer and a brief devotional with everyone each day. Please give me your opinions on having this in the morning or in the early evening. I need 5 volunteers to share a brief thought/scripture/testimony and then Opa will call on someone for prayer.


3) Book Group Discussion Leader - We'll have this discussion Sunday evening (Team of Rivals). We could also have a volunteer to lead the youngest children in a discussion of "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish." The possibilites are endless.

4) Morning Walks - Good idea/bad idea?



Other notes:

T-Shirts -- let Kristen know your order!

Variety show entries -- it would be great if everyone participated in some way.

Book swap - Did people like this idea? Or is it just another thing to pack?

Decorate Cabins - The campground has a Site-Decorating contest for the 4th of July weekend. Could be fun.

Memorize Gettysburg Address -- I will have a prize for each person who can recite this during the reunioin!

Bylund Bash Comings and Goings

Friday, June 26
Nana and Opa drive to Rochester with Kevin and Emily

Monday, June 29
Kevin and Emily move into new home in Rochester
11:50 am Kristen leaves on AirTran Airways (211)
10:07 pm Kristen arrives at National AirTran Airways (267)

Tuesday, June 30
10:42 pm Michelle et al. arrive at JFK from SFO United 870.

Wednesday, July 1

Thursday, July 2
6:05 am Eric to National on MidWest (YX2052) arrives at 9:29 am (EZOZFC)
3:00 pm Check in at Drummer Boy


Monday July 6
11:00 am Check out
Afternoon Hershey Park (Michelle and Carma and Families
6 Flags America (Emily, Jenny, Kristen, Eric, Nana, Opa)

Tuesday, July 7
07:00 am Kristen departs National on US Airways (Flight 1775) Arrives in Seattle at 12:17p
11:40 am Eric to Omaha on Midwest (YX2053) arrives at 1:25 pm
2:35 pm Michelle et al. leave JFK for SFO United 015

Wednesday, July 9
Nana and Opa leave for Kentucky with Jenny and Aaron

Corrections welcome!

Floating an item out there

Since we have several professed Root Beer aficionados attending Bylund Bash 2009, I propose getting a 1/2 keg of Root Beer for family consumption. (Supposedly a 1/2 keg is the equivalent of 7 cases of 12 oz. cans)

Any supporters? Detractors? Ice cream scoopers?

East Coast Sub-Committee

There was a (brief) meeting in Philadelphia of the East Coast Sub-Committee. It happened at the Embassy Suites swimming pool. The sub-committee moves that the book "Team of Rivals" be the book club choice. It fits the "Abraham Lincoln" bill (no pun intended!!) and has an accounting of the Civil War and Gettysburg. Greg and I have both read it and really liked it. Ok, well, we don't really read anything anymore. But we both listened to it.

What say ye all? And, does anyone want me to set you up to get an email when people post comments to the blog?

Meeting of the Savoy Subcommittee

There were 10 out of 22 of us together this weekend (well 6 of 14 if you just count adults), so we talked a little about the Bylund Bash. Here is a (partial) summary of some of the ideas.

• Friday would probably be the best day for going together to Gettysburg, either for a half day or full day. It would be good to define what we will do together that day, so that anyone who want to do more could do other things on Thursday before check-in at 4 pm. Monday after check out would be another good time to see additional sites in Gettysburg.
  Saturday would probably be the best day for staying around camp, doing water slide, mini-golf, etc.
• Sunday, we thought we might go (just) to Fast and Testimony meeting. The closest building is a 1170 Kohler Mill Rd, New Oxford, about 5 miles East of Gettysburg. Sacrament meetings are at 9:00 (Hanover Ward) 1:00 pm Gettysburg Ward (and at 11:00 am (New Oxford (YSA) Branch)). We should also take a family picture on Sunday and perhaps do the Book Club also.
• Suggestions for kid’s activities: Simple arts and crafts; Nana’s Fishing Pond; Stories with Nana; games.
• One night (Friday?) have a Variety Show (Kevin and Emily volunteered to be in charge): Sound of Music reenactment; Kevin juggling; Nana with a Dancing Grannies number; Kristen clogging.
• Jenny and Aaron volunteered to be the Gettysburg resource couple because they were there recently.
• One night (Saturday?) have Stations. Perhaps one in each of the cabins. Suggestions for Stations: Wii; kids video (babysitting); Rook.
• Suggestions for other activities: Water balloon launchers; Morning jogs, walks and/or hikes.
  

Book Club?

Anyone interested in having a book club at the family reunion?

Some suggestions from googling "good book club books":

-The Secret Life of Bees
-Kite Runner
-The Time Traveler's Wife (I heard some good things about this one)
-The Story of Edgar Sawtelle (this is what Oprah's book club is reading0

Roomies

I've talked to a few of you about this already, but here is one idea for how to split people up for the different cabins:

1) Cabin with babies: Jenny & Aaron's family and Kevin & Emily's family

2) Cabin with older (relatively) kids: Carma & Greg's family, Michelle & Dan's family, Aunt DiDi. Could also be referred to as: "Cabin with picky eaters."

3) Adults only cabin: Mom and Dad, Eric, Emily & Richard

This way we thought that the adults only cabin could be used for late - night game playing without worrying about waking young children.

Reunion Odds and Ends

1. Meals: One idea is that each cabin can be responsible for their own breakfast and lunches each day. I am sure we can find a grocery store nearby. Then we could rotate dinner assignments.

2. We can have one day that we designate as golfing and pool/waterslide day (it does cost extra).

3. Kristen would like to be in charge of t-shirts.

4. In addition to all of the activities they have there, I thought we might have some sort of ongoing Wii-eunion tournaments for anyone who wants to enter.

5. Other activity ideas? Talent show, historical tours, ??

6. There could also be optional pre- and post-reunion activities for anyone interested (Hershey Park, going to DC).

Bylund Bash 2009 Facts

Thursday, July 2 - check in after 3 p.m.
Monday, July 6 - check out before 11 a.m.

Place: Drummer Boy Camping Resort - Gettysburg, PA
http://www.drummerboycampresort.com/