A few weekends ago Magnolia, myself, and Auntie Kaileigh packed up our stuff and headed to Clyde, NewYork (between Syracuse and Rochester) to see Nannie, Papa, and meet more family while attending the Hughes family's annual Barn Party. About 18 years ago my stepdad's cousin started having a reunion for college friends once a year on her parent's farm. Over the last few decades this has morphed into a party for hundreds of family and friends that includes food, live music, pony rides for the kids, and fireworks.
We got in around 1 in the morning, and met a very sleepy Nannie who showed us to our room. After a good, but short night's sleep we began partying. I think Magnolia's favorite part of the whole weekend (besides seeing Nannie and Papa) was the ice cream machine the family rented. It was great to come out for breakfast and see loads of people chowing down on the creamy goodness.
The day of the party Magnolia got to ride a horse with her auntie, watch her Papa rope a calf, and play with the barn kittens.
She got to eat tons of new foods, since there were two enormous tables filled with side dishes and salads that accompanied the huge beef and pork rotisserie. After the main dished were put away, two buffet tables filled with desserts were brought out. It was heaven.
All during the picinic a bluegrass band was playing the background, and after we ate the dancing began. Magnolia got to dance with Nannie and Papa, and cousin Jimmy.
After the band was packed up and put away, and when the sky got dark the fireworks began. Magnolia was sound asleep by then, and the loud "booms" never even woke her up. It had been a long day.
We stayed Sunday and hung out with the family enjoying more good food and good times. We drove back on Monday, this time with Auntie Pooka. Magnolia was an angel in the car, and hit with the family. Overall, it was a good weekend that I hope we can do again next year.
