Good times! The Traditional Family Weekend 2019 Photos

25 Thursday Jul 2019

Posted by Leanevdp in FF Tidbits, Smorgasbord 'n Smidgens, Traditional Family Weekend

The end of June found us wrapped up in a very fun and wholesome event…The Traditional Family Weekend! It was a great time and I wanted to share some photos with you. Maybe you can make it next year?

As aside….Fr. Allen gave the two conferences on Holiness in Family Life…reflecting on St. Therese and her family. If you would like to listen to them, the link is here.

And now, the gallery….

: Getting the lovely zinnias and roses from our garden to adorn the tables at the Weekend.

: The girls tape the plastic tablecloths on so they don’t slip around.

: Madeline and Hannah

: Tables are ready!

: Getting some “puff balls” ready to hang up.

: Sarah is working on Father Walker’s table

: Lovely!

: Rob and Cheryl rehearsing with the sound equipment.

: Talent Show Rehearsal

: Mr. James Eichman was here visiting and was able to take part in the Weekend.

: Our coffee nook that Gin and Margy decorated.

: Potluck Buffet time!

: Good food

: Good comaraderie

: Our live entertainment did a great job! The MacDonald Family Singers.

: Foosball was a hit!

: Dom and Vinnie

: Tom Walker and Fr. Allen

: Chatting…

: Ping Pong! Mary Frances played a great game!

: Jeanette…

: Gemma…

: Martin chats with Rob…our sound guy…who is the backbone of the weekend!

: The singers…

: The Play Train Area was a hit!

: It kept the little people in one spot and contained…if mothers chose to use it.

: Fun!

: Virginia’s table of goodies…that are always well received by the girls!

: Father Flood stops by…

: Grandpa is outside doing the grandpa thing…

: Lots of volleyball!

: Fr. Adams had the younger guys playing dodge ball.

: Winner!

: A hand-crocheted blanket was raffled off.

: Saturday afternoon, Fr. Allen gave 2 great conferences focusing on St. Therese’s family life.

: Fr. Adams…getting ready for his part in the play?

: Dominic and Augustine.

: What a cutie-pie!

: Fr. Flood and Vincent discuss business…

: Good job, Tony!

: Vin, Gin and Juliette

: After the conferences, Fr. Flood led the rosary.

: Then…more games and pizza!

: Rita was hungry!

: Where’s mine? …says Ethan.

: Commiserating?

: Talent Show begins!

: The McCune family with a song about moving to Maple Hill, KS.

: A sweet song with the Ecks and the McCunes.

: Ernie plays a very hard piece on the guitar

: A funny skit about a dear family in the parish.

: Father takes part.

: The bus is full!

: Joseph Walker plays a piece.

: Madeline

: Madeline and Sarah (daughter-in-law)

: Captivated audience

: A little singing and guitar

: A skit by the Porter Family

: Kids in the front row sitting on the floor.

: Me

: John was very good…and funny!

: My girls were hams.

: Hannah and Gemma

: They sang a song with Ernie.

: Mr. Eichman

: Fife and drums…excellent!

: Angelo’s juggling act was a hit!

Traditional Family Weekend 2018 – Photos, Videos….

18 Wednesday Jul 2018

Posted by Leanevdp in Smorgasbord 'n Smidgens, Traditional Family Weekend

≈ 5 Comments

Sometimes it’s hard to live a joyful, Catholic life in an un-Catholic world. That’s when you reach out and bring Catholic Culture to your own little world!

And that’s what we did years ago when we had our first Traditional Family Weekend. Yes, it’s been 15 years, we have had our bumps and made our mistakes but we have seen very good fruit come from these weekends. Couples have met, families have interacted, good times have been had, our souls have been nourished.

Here are some pictures and videos (look for the videos underneath the gallery), of our Family Weekend this year in June. It was very hot but it didn’t stop the young people from playing volleyball outside, doing water balloons and playing soccer!

We were blessed this year to have Fr. VanderPutten with us from Nigeria. We had not seen him for a couple years….last year he spent his vacation in Fatima for the 100th Anniversary of the apparitions. So it was great to have him! He always adds spice to wherever he goes. He brought his Nigerian friend, Edwin Mary Akadu, who stayed with us for the week they were here. We got to know him well and grew to love this holy, African man.

Below is the gallery, click on the first picture to view, then look for the videos underneath the gallery…

: Set up for the weekend has begun. Here, Vin and Gin are bringing in one of the three parts of the stage that Vinnie built.

: This year we made a special niche for the children. Our good friends, Dale and Natalie, brought their train tracks, etc. and we blocked it off with haybales making a fence of sorts.

: All the little people could have fun in their little makeshift playroom.

: Waiting in line to practice for the Talent Show.

: Two of the ladies in our parish were such a huge help! Natalie and Isabel.

: “Hanging out” after the decorating.

: Talent Show practice is the night of the decorating.

: Our son-in-law, Mike, and Magdalene.

: Smiling faces…

: Practicing…

: Our wonderful sound and light crew….Rob and Cheryl!

: 3 sisters…Cecilia, Rebecca and Joan.

: Practicing…

: I raided our zinnia patch and made 30 bouquets for the tables!

: The hall is ready!

: Good times…

: Chivalrous Mike helps his mom who fell and broke her ankle while visiting here from Maine. She was in a wheelchair.

: Son-in-law, Vin with our son, Dominic.

: Visiting…

: Father VanderPutten tends to give us the evil eye if we snap a picture!

: Fr. Kodet

: Fr. Flood, Fr. VanderPutten and moi

: Gemma, Father Vdp and Margy

: Birthday!

: Gin and Nathan

: Avila is wildly impressed!

: Guys chatting…

: The weekend is dedicated to Fr. Kenneth Walker, R.I.P.+

: Gin and Jeanette have a table to sell their wares.

: Games

: Parents sit on the edge of the haybale niche

: Father talking intensely with Zaelie.

: Priests and little people….

: A father and five of his boys came to sing for us on Friday night.

: Live entertainment!

: Grandaughter, Rita

: Our coffee nook…

: Games to play!

: Gin and Sarah

: Rob (our sound man) helps Joe set up his video camera.

: Joe, the Camera man.

: Praying the rosary

: Conference

: Thomas, a good friend…

: Hannah

: Father Kodet

: Talent Show

: Talent Show

: The party after the party….

Below are some pictures of the Talent Show. Father Kodet, who has been with us for three years, will be leaving us soon to bless another parish with his winning and fatherly ways! He was always willing to spread the love of Christ to others….and often had his concertina in the back seat of his car to pull out and entertain those around him. Here is a video of Father playing at the Talent Show.

What a pleasure to have these young men perform! The kids loved the vibrant sounds of the fife and drum!

Hannah and Gemma are up to their antics again as they assure people that life is not perfect at the VanderPutten home….hehe

Wow! Skillful drums!! Take a look!

The girls practiced this song with Ernie…a lot. They finally got it down and when they got on stage, Ernie accidentally had the capo on the wrong fret of his guitar. Threw them all off and….well, let’s just say….this is not that video. Blah.

Anyway, this is their practice of the song…

John and Gemma never cease to amaze us with their talents!

Virginia (Gin) and Rosie sing “All I Ask of You” from the Phantom of the Opera

An Invitation to The Traditional Family Weekend, July 15 – 17, 2016 and a GiveAway!

08 Wednesday Jun 2016

Posted by Leanevdp in Events, Give-Aways, Traditional Family Weekend

≈ 27 Comments

❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀ Please join us if you can! ❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀

I know a lot of you have seen this video but I post it for those who do not know what the weekend is about. Thanks to Ernest Garcia for putting it together for us!

******************************************************************

And now you can sign up for this giveaway of a copy of my Maglet: Finer Femininity; A Sunshiny Disposition, a beautiful brass wire-wrapped rosary bracelet and a First Communion Catechism Audio CD from St. Anne’s Helper to help you teach your little ones the Catechism!

Just leave a comment on this post!

The winner will be announced on Weds., June 15th!

******************************************************************

“Being feminine does not mean being giggly, unintelligent, incompetent or unreliable. Instead, our femininity is an assignment from God. It is how God created us. It is a character that is imprinted deeply upon us, which is made apparent in our physical bodies, and by how we speak, act and dress.” -Colleen Hammond, Dressing With Dignity

Traditional Family Weekend Summer 2015 – Photos!!

09 Thursday Jul 2015

Posted by Leanevdp in Traditional Family Weekend

≈ 12 Comments

We had a wonderful Traditional Family Weekend this summer and I thought I would share with you today some of the pictures I gathered together. Click on the first picture to view the gallery…

: This is our gang before the Weekend…..expressing their excitement while Angleo is thinking they are all bananas!

: Missouri VanderPuttens sent this picture to us showing their anticipation!

: I think one of the most enjoyable times of one of these Weekends is the preparation. The exciement in the kids is energizing and puts a smile on my face….all day! 🙂

: Doing hair in fancy up-do’s or Jane Austen fashion is a lot of fun!

: I was truly impressed. Johnny hauled his sewing machine over 3 days before the weekend and sewed himself the shirt, the vest and the cravat. He had no pattern and his sewing machine would not feed through so he fed the material through manually! What a great job!

: It is such a pleasure to see the guys dress up for these functions!

: Our 15 yr. old daughter, Margy, made most of these vests for the dance.

: Paul and Francisco Shibler

: The girls are lovely!

: Virginia made these outfits….so pretty!

: One of the favorite dances of the kids is the Virginia Reel. This dance takes about 11 minutes and is very tiring! We did it three times that night! Lots of fun!

: It was not my plan to become a dance caller. But the cost was inhibitive of getting one in each time – from $250.00 to $800.00. I figured I would try my hand at it. I love to do it and to see the kids have so much fun!

: Paul Shibler

: Best buds and brothers-in-law! Mike and Vinnie

: Erni Garcia and Jessica VanderPutten

: Best cuz’s Regina, Dominic, Michelle VanderPutten

: Mike, Jeanette and Agnes….

: Dapper Dave

: Patrick from Oklahoma

: Fran (Vincent’s brother) and Lori are from Missouri and come to take part in the festivities every time! I am grateful for their support!

: Father VanderPutten was visiting from Nigeria!

: Mom and daugher. 🙂

: Our sound and lighting guy, Rob, with his daughter, Laura. These people are fantastic and without them, the Family weekend would be a dud! 🙂

: The candy and popcorn Lady was very busy!

: Playing games….

: Char Harder from Arkansas

: Olivia Byrne behind the booth. The smiles will sell merchandise! 🙂

: Don’t ask…. 😀

: Mom and Daughter….Lori and Michelle VanderPutten

: Erni and a hitchiker

: Some people just can’t take the excitement!

: Talk about not taking the excitement!! They may be peeved at me for posting this one but, hey, what are mother-in-laws for??!! Hehe

: Margy and niece, Agnes!

: The Family Weekend is dedicated to Father Walker.

: Most of these kids are not regular choir members so this was a chance to sharpen their polyphony and gregorian chant skills!

: We prayed the rosary Saturday afternoon.

: Praying the rosary.

: Rosary time.

: Father Curtis’ conference on the Bishop’s Synod coming up.

: Father Fongemie gave a conference on Fatherhood and Purity.

: Father Curtis’ blessing.

: Margy and Sarah

: Little Melissa.

: Best Cuz’s Jacinta and Hannah!

: Caught in the act….

: Best cuz’s Jacinta and Gemma!

: Father VanderPutten and Father Curtis

: Balloons helped to keep the kids happy and occupied!

: So did lollies!

: Devin and Theresa.

: Gabe Harder…The Harders come from Arkansas and are a great support to the Weekend!

: Ready for a baby any time now!

: We had a booth set up where I sold my Maglets and rosaries, etc. and Virginia sold her Kanzashi ribbon flowers.

: I can imagine that Virginia is telling Little Johnny that he may NOT touch what is on the table….or something of that sort!

: Vincent just kept blowing up balloons to keep the kids happy!

: Virginia’s Kanzashi flowers!

: Lovely, lovely! Everyone was wearing them in their hair! They were a hit!

: 4th of July Kanzashi Flowers!

: Haha Good times for Little People!

: Cuz’s Michelle and Rosie

: Mom and Daughter…Lori and Regina….beautiful!

: Very good friends…Rosalie and son, David Gallant

: First time we met Chad and Karen! Wonderful people!

: Hillarie and Theresa George….always smiling and bringing smiles to others!

: Olivia Byrne, Felicity VanderPutten

: Ricky Riello and Rita Therese

: Terry & Lisa from Oklahoma

: Jeanette and Virginia

: Rosalie from Maine

: Linda Riello…..dear friends!

: Johnny Gallant and niece, Agnes!

: Olivia and Felicity

: Aunt Margy and Nathaniel

: Dominic, Regina, Sarah

: Char and Michelle

: Trinity from Texas and Melissa

: Miranda and Hannah

: Samantha and Gemma

: Margy, Erni, Rosie

: Clean up is very important and intense. But with so many hands on deck, the yoke is easy and the burden light!

: Even Little Emma knows the value of clean-up!

: Thanks guys! Vince Harder

: Until next time…..

Just For Fun….

24 Wednesday Jun 2015

Posted by Leanevdp in Events, FF Tidbits, Traditional Family Weekend

≈ 2 Comments

We had a Film Festival on Saturday afternoon of the Traditional Family Weekend.

(For pictures of past Family Weekends search in the category of Traditional Family Weekend….)

One of the films was by our good friend Erni Garcia (Erniversal Studios).

The video features the beautiful voices of Erni Garcia and Hillarie George. Our married couples are also in it….Mike and Jeanette Gallant and Devin and Theresa Byrne.

I think you will enjoy it!

This post shared with the blog Like Mother, Like Daughter.

Coming Right Up!! Traditional Family Weekend – June 19 – 21, 2015!

11 Thursday Jun 2015

Posted by Leanevdp in Events, Traditional Family Weekend

≈ 6 Comments

For those who are planning to come, we are looking forward to having you!!

YOU ARE INVITED!!

Traditional Family Weekend – June 19 – 21, 2015!

24 Friday Apr 2015

Posted by Leanevdp in Events, Traditional Family Weekend

≈ 7 Comments

YOU ARE INVITED!!

A Bake Sale Today and an Heirloom-Quality Necklace Set Give-Away for You!

07 Saturday Feb 2015

Posted by Leanevdp in Give-Aways, My Shop - Meadows of Grace, Traditional Family Weekend

≈ 29 Comments

The girls worked hard yesterday to be able to pull this Bake Sale off in town today. It is lovely out. Just two days ago the low was 3 degrees, the high in the twenties. Today it will be 72 degrees……perfect for a Bake Sale!

I wanted to show you the pictures from yesterday. Our Traditional Family Weekends run into a good amount of funds so we try to have two Bake Sales before each Weekend.

We also try to get the guys together and have an “Epic Duels” Tournament at least once to raise more money. We have a bunch of guys get together with 3 or 4 of the games. They pay a certain amount to participate, we provide the food, they buy the drinks from us. We are able to raise close to $200.00 each time. And it provides a good time for everyone!

If you would like to donate to the “cause” of these Weekends that provide a chance for like-minded Catholics to get together for social and spiritual nourishment, you can click below.

Also, any benefactors will be remembered in our daily rosary here at our household. 🙂

Here is a video that our friend, Ernie Garcia, put together to give you an idea of what we try to do over here (I have posted it before):

AND NOW FOR THE GIVE-AWAY!

Today I want to give to one of you this heirloom-quality, classic necklace set!

This necklace set has sparkling spring colors sprinkled throughout to make a lovely and elegant set, perfect to offset your fresh, spring outfit! The wire I used for this particular set is unique…a braided silver wire. It was a little difficult to work with so you may be the only person wearing a set like this…. 😀

It is wire wrapped and therefore a set that will last a lifetime!

If you don’t wear jewelry yourself, think about someone you could give it to. 🙂

Please sign up by making a comment! As usual, I always love to hear from you…even if it is just a hi!

We will announce the winner on Valentine’s Day so don’t be late!

And while you are at it, take a look at some of my items at http://www.meadowsofgrace.com I know there is a lot of jewelry and rosaries out there on the market. I like to think mine is unique because each link is handmade and wrapped around itself (and sometimes running across the bead) providing it with a durability that is unlike other jewelry and rosaries.They are made with time and with love. <3

Click on the first picture to view the gallery.

Christmas Seasonings

13 Tuesday Jan 2015

Posted by Leanevdp in Feast Days, FF Tidbits, Seasons, Smorgasbord 'n Smidgens, Traditional Family Weekend

≈ 2 Comments

The following is a smorgasbord of pictures that will walk you through some Advent, past Christmas and into the Traditional Family Weekend. Make sure to click the gallery off after you are done looking at the photos and scroll down to watch the videos of some of the Talent Show acts….

Click on the first picture to view gallery.

: Searching for “debris” to make our stable scene.

: Lots of goodies!

: OK Margy, we can’t bring a WHOLE TREE into the house!! But we will try, won’t we?

: Moss is one of our favorite things to discover and bring home to put in just the right places in our stable scene.

: Now comes the fun part….

: Having fun with Christmas Frames! Mike and darling Agnes…

: Jeanette and Agnes

: Virginia made this hat for me for Christmas.

: Little Marianna Bogowith.

: Rosie

: Colin receiving Father Curtis’ First Blessing

: Theresa receiving First Blessing

: Cute hat!

: Christmas tired…

: Vin and Gin

: Margy…she IS our entertainment!

: Margy…. 😛

: Rosie and Hillarie

: Good friends!

: Margy…ok, Santa, just try to keep her contained….it won’t last!

: Theresa….she is expecting #3!

: Good times with Ticket to Ride

: An old game called Epic Duels. The guys love it!

: Epic Duels!

: Margy bought me this basket to put socks in!

: We love puzzles and the girls got this Hobbit puzzle this Christmas!

: Puzzles!

: The finished product of our Spiritual Christmas Crib.

: Virginia’s Spiritual Christmas Crib in progress….She used one poster board and put it on the side of her refrigerator.

: Good times….

: Rosie

: Bake Sale time. With the death of my dad and so many other goings on, our Bake Sale to raise money for the Family Weekend was close to Christmas…..

: Olivia always has a smile to share!

: Pies, pies….

: Now that’s ONE LONG cinnamon roll!

: Rosie cutting the rolls with a piece of thread.

: Don’t ask….

: Miss Agnes Claus

: Mr. Angelo Elf

: Miss Rosie Sparkle

: Now that’s one cute smile!

: Hillarie and Agnes.

: A christmas doll!

: The kids practiced every week for several weeks to be able to provide the Choir for our special Saturday High Mass for the Family Weekend. It is a highlight for them!

: Fr. Fongemie gave us a compelling talk on vocations and the religious life….

: Father Curtis gave us a chilling sermon on immoderate recreation…mostly pointing out today’s mesmerization with technology.

: Father Young reminds us that prayer is talking with God and comes from the heart….

: First Blessings….

: Lining up for First Blessings

: Father Walker, we pray for you, please pray for us!

: Games….

: Visiting….

: Hannah, Ernie Garcia and Virginia singing “The Hand Song” at the Talent Show

: Madeline Shibler on keyboard

: Rosie and Ernie playing a duet.

: Enraptured kids….

: Rosie, Hillarie and Ernie

: The Watts family

: Some French Culture

: Riccomini country style!

: Theresa and Hillarie George, Ernie Garcia

: Irish Dancers

: Irish Dancers

: The Byrne Family…the middle one is my son-in-law, Devin

: Mary Consoli

: Porter Family doing a little We Three Kings skit.

: Heithoff Family doing a Christmas Mumming Skit

: Anthony Pelster on the violin

: Good Friend, Paul. He was the Grinch in the next picture.

: The Grinch Who stole Chrismas!

: Where’s the gifts??!!

: The Burns Family

: A little Jingley Bells

: Cute Barn Dance Skit by the Missouri VanderPutten girls!

: The family at Dad’s wake. We look happy. We were. Amidst our sadness, a deep thanksgiving for a holy and happy death permeated our thoughts.

: Colin and Z

: Beautiful Family!

: Ok I will play this game with you. Do you mind if I nap while you take your turn???

: Good times on Christmas Eve….

: Theresa, David Gallant

: Good friends….

: My list book is what keeps me focused!

: The dishes will always be with us! If you ever want a little time to yourself, go do dishes. The rest of us scatter. 😛

: New wood stove our son and son-in-law bought us this winter!

: Grandma is coming down from her apartment with her little dog to watch the opening of gifts on Christmas morn…

: Getting ready to open gifts.

: Daddy either reads out of the Bible or gives us all a little sermon first.

: Really??!! A REMOTE CONTROL RAT for Christmas??!! Thank you HIllarie George! Angelo is hoping for some close call heart attacks….

: Father enjoyed Christmas with us!

: Grandpa and Sienna….

: Good times!

: Christmas Smiles!

: Christmas Hairdos!

: Hairdos

: Pictionary is still one of the favorites around here. You would not believe the noise level during this game!! 😛

: My brother-in-law, Fran and his little one, Melissa. Fran and Lori have 12 children and make a point of traveling from Missouri each Family Weekend. They are a huge support!

: Fran and Lori and their lovely family.

: Rosary time….

: Actually, it is here. We have nothing to complain about here in Kansas but after a very mild first part of the winter the cold has moved in!

: Cute

: We’ll have to try this. 😀

: We don’t want to try this. 😀

: Ok, I’ve become wimpy since my Canadian days! it’s cold here in Kansas!!

: 😀

: Beautiful sisters….

: A Most Blessed Christmas Season to you all!

This first video is 2 songs. The first song is by Hillarie George and Ernie Garcia. Ernie wrote the words to a Civil Wars tune they liked. Theresa George joins them for the second song, a Redneck Christmas!

This video is performed by my son-in-law, Devin Byrne, Rosie and Margy VanderPutten, Olivia Byrne and Hillarie George. It is Jingle Bells, Michael Buble style!

This last song is at the end of the Grinch Skit when Mr. Grinch is converted! It is played and performed by Virginia Shibler with her Whos from Whoville and Paul Shibler, The Grinch. (who now has to live with that name).

Sharing With You….

05 Saturday Jul 2014

Posted by Leanevdp in by Leane Vdp, FF Tidbits, Traditional Family Weekend

≈ 10 Comments

I was surprised by this very thoughtful and kind review of my blog, Finer Femininity, that was written by Chad on his blog From the Depths to the Wilderness. I thought I would share it with you today. You can read the review here. And you can check out his blog while you’re at it. 🙂

I would also like to share with you some photos from our Traditional Family Weekend a couple of weeks ago. It was a very refreshing time, full of fun and spiritual nourishment.

We started it off with decorating and a run-through of the Talent show on Thursday night. The sound and lighting person, Rob Heschmeyer (who is an integral part of the Weekend) had to help with Father Walker’s funeral so he started early Thursday and went back and forth from the hall to the church where the funeral was taking place.

Decorating is a joyous time, full of anticipation as we prepare for the events to come. The dance followed with young and old alike taking part in an evening of enjoyment and camaraderie!

High Mass on Saturday morning was celebrated by Father VanderPutten who was visiting from Nigeria. His sermon was terrific and caught the attention of all, especially the young folk!

The conferences took place Saturday afternoon, followed by the rosary. They were inspiring and it was very gratifying to see the young people gather to listen to both priests talk, each about an hour long! Whole families took part which was wonderful!

The evening was started off by the Talent Show drawing the biggest crowd of the Weekend! The show featured an Australian National Anthem, Yo-Yo acrobats, Irish Dancers and many more wonderful acts! It was a delight and we ended the show singing “Faith of Our Fathers” in honor of Father Walker. Our cross and “shrine” was dedicated to him also. Sunday we had a Pancake Breakfast, Volleyball, games and a good old family movie to end it all off!