It Was The Best of Times/It Was The Worst of Times

 I know... it sounds like the beginning of an epic novel, doesn't it?  Well, after not having family together at one time since Christmas of 2019, we had a family party last Friday.  Amanda was here, visiting from Colorado.  Her twin, Ryan and his wife, Bekah, and baby, Wren drove in from North Carolina.  All of the local kids and grandkids came to the farm as well.  We had a wonderful gathering of four generations.  Good food, laughter, family communion... all things that had been sorely missed for so long!


Cousins met for the first time.


It was a special day filled by my most special souls on all this earth.

Saturday, we rose early, and headed to Pittsburgh for a family wedding.  We just happened to find an Amish bakery along the way which made Amanda's day.  She hasn't been able to find "good" donuts since moving from Pennsylvania!

  Amanda and Ryan and his family also made the trip to Pittsburgh, as the wedding was Jack's nephew and the twins' cousin.

We had lovely weekend accommodations at this old mansion-turned-boutique-hotel, called the Inn on Mexican War Streets.

It was quite beautiful inside... the inside fully refurbished to the mansion's finest days. 

We met family at a Pittsburgh restaurant (outdoor seating) for lunch.


 so that Wren could meet her great grandmother. 

In the free time that we had before the wedding we toured the National Aviary.

Believe it or not, this bird is a type of pigeon!

The ceremony and reception were lovely.... 

 held at a modern "interactive" art museum called The Mattress Factory.  

Sadly, we did not get to tour the museum as we had planned because Hubbs fell sick at the reception.  We quickly headed back to the hotel where Hubbs spent the night with a horrible GI virus.   A couple hours later, Amanda succumbed, then Ryan, then Wren. I was still feeling well enough to drive home, so we headed for home Sunday morning.  Then I became sick halfway home and ended up in bed for the next two days.   Through texting with family, over the next couple of days, it seems that everyone who attended the party fell sick... all 16 of us were wiped out by this bug.

Apparently, Eli's daycare had an outbreak of norovirus.... and the rest is history. 

So, you see, what started as the best of times, ended as the worst of times.  I am sure we will all be back on our feet and back to normal in the next couple of days.

Sorry for our absence.  I am glad to be home and on the mend and am looking forward to sharing more fun tales from the farm.

Comments

Lisa said…
Oh my! I hope everyone is feeling better. I found it a bit strange you hadn't posted. I thought you were just over pooped from your weekend. Glad to hear you had a great time other than that.
Anonymous said…
Glad you all are on the mend!
colleen said…
I thought you must of gotten way overtired and had taken the time from posting to rest. Sorry to hear you were all so sick. Hope everyone is doing much better by now. Up until the virus hit it looked like fun time. I so enjoy your family get togethers. take care xoxox
So sorry to hear your visit ended up this way. I've never heard of a virus like that.
I thought maybe something had happened when you weren't posting. The bride was beautiful and it was so lovely you could have 4 generations together.
Lynne said…
Oh dear . . .
I hope the “cloud” has lifted and each/all of you are feeling better!
The wedding, accommodations, families, reuniting, doughnuts,
everything looked, sounded grand!
jaz@octoberfarm said…
how ironic to get together for the first time since the start of covid and then have everyone get sick with something else! wow! glad everyone is on the mend.
Unknown said…
Oh my I’m so sorry to hear about everyone getting the stomach bug! Hope everyone is feeling better soon. The wedding looked beautiful! I love love love Pittsburgh!
littlemancat said…
Oh, awful! I hope you are all doing ok now, but it can really take a little time to feel normal again.
Did Eli,Easton,and Mac also get ill?
Hugs,
Mary
Bee Haven Bev said…
Yes…. All of the kids…. All 4 generations fell ill.
Marcia LaRue said…
Welcome back! A virus, regardless the name, is absolutely no fun! It can be a very draining experience! So glad you are all doing better!
Get your strength back and we'll be here waiting for more visits to BHA.
Hugs!
phyllis Schmitz said…
So glad you are getting well.
This N That said…
Looks like a lovely wedding..Glad everyone was well for the ceremony....The old mansion looks interesting..would be fun to visit. Wren is such a happy baby..Hope you are feeling better..xxoo
Cheryl said…
Wow! Hope all are feeling better. Getting sick was no way to celebrate, but you will never forget that wedding.

Our immune systems are a bit delicate these days, due to masking and isolating, something that we don't really think about. In time, I'm sure we will all get stronger. You guys are already on your way having battled norovirus. For me, the plan is to mask in the winter during cold and flu season.
THE BEARDED ONE said…
WOW 1 WONDERFULO PICTURES AND GREAT COMMENTARY...SO VERY SORRY THAT YOU WERE ALL INFECTED W/THE VIRUS...THOSE THINGS CAN TOTALLY SAP YOUR STRENGTH AND ENERGY AND SOMETIMES IT TAKES DAYS TO OVERCOME THEM..MAY YOU ALL BE BLESSED W/A QUICK RECOVERY !!!


EDGAR C. BEARD

BY THE WAY...I DO NOT WEAR A BEARD....SMILING !!!!
Wanda Devers said…
I'm glad you all survived--our friend's two year old ended up in hospital with IV. Sounds like this virus is wide-spread.

Takes me back about 30 years when this child's father was almost a toddler who infected us all with a ghastly virus. We went down like dominoes with one or two escaping.

The wedding was beautiful and the birds were too.
dear bev, wow....hope everybody is feeling better now. How sad.
Take good care all of you!
daisy g said…
Oh, so sorry to hear about the bug. Hope you were able to archive some good memories beforehand.

Blessings and good health to all!
Dee J. Hartman said…
A"GI infection" happened to another family I knew who had gone on a vacation and they ended up departing a bit earlier than you folks, as I recall...For them, they discovered it was food poisoning! Yes, something they had all eaten while away! Sorry your illnesses spoiled part of your get together!