Many people don’t realize it but the winter season is actually the busiest season of the year at Camp Forest Springs.  Depending on how turnout is at Community Days (Sunday Afternoons in January/February when camp is open to the public for recreational purposes), camp could see between 4,000 and 6,000 people.  Each weekend we will see between 250-300 youth at camp for a retreat.  Also there are winter outdoor education groups through the week and local schools will come in for the day to do a fun day.  Those fun day groups can range from 80 kids to 200 kids in camp for the day to ski or go tubing on the big hill. 

The winter season presents many difficulties and needs for prayer.  First, that staff stay healthy, both physically and spiritually.  It makes for very long days and nights with back to back groups being in camp.  Snow is also a challenge this year.  Camp had all the snow it needed made before Christmas and these last couple of days it has been unseasonably warm and we are losing snow.  Lord willing we will get some colder temperatures soons and maybe even some more snow to add to the hill.  Patience is another big prayer request.  The down hill ski and snowboard instructors will complete several hundred lessons this winter on the hill.  Each year camp offers free lessons to anyone who has either rented ski’s/snowboards or to ones who brought their own.  It is a great place to learn and the price is right. 

Today Simon was “helping” Mom in the kitchen.  He has recently decided that he needs to be doing everything that Mom is doing.  So in order to get anything done Mom gives him something to do too.  Today he tried his hand a washing dishes.  The result was water all over him, all over his chair, the counter, and the floor.  But the better result was that dinner got done with out any whining and hanging on Mom.  Such a good little helper!

Just a quick hello from Hudson to say, I look good in green!

Tim the Tool Man step aside, there is someone new on the block who is ready to fix just about anything.  I’m sure it will be a few years before he actually knows which is which but in the mean time, the square has been used to pick up a toy and the saw, well lets just say he won’t be getting a real one any time soon.  Sorry Sam, no bucket needed. 

Christmas time this year was spent with the Huffman’s in Eagle River.  So that we didn’t have to drive so far with a one month old, Huffman Sr. rented a house near Eagle River Wisconsin.  The house sleeps 14 and we had more than enough room to roam, plus they provided us with a tree and all the decorations we needed. 

We all arrived Saturday December 22nd and were settled in by dinner time.  Nick Gomez, Matt’s brother-in-law hadn’t seen our house since we moved, so on Sunday we decided to drive down to Rib Lake.  The further we drove the worse the roads got and when we arrived home, 3 to 4 foot drifts in the driveway.  We had to make tracks to the house so the girls could get inside, then shovel a path back to the van.  It was a good thing we came home or we would have discovered the snow on Wednesday when we returned home from the holidays.

Monday, was the day to lounge at the cabin and spend a lot of time outside.  Simon loves sleeding and playing in the snow.  He even got his first tilta-whirl ride in a tube with some rope.  He laughed the entire time and kept asking for “more.”  Simon had a great time with his counsin Carlos, who though is a little bit older did a great job playing with Simon.  By Monday, where ever Carlos went, Simon was right behind him. 

Christmas day was great and Christmas with children only gets better with age.  Simon liked ripping the paper and finding the toys or books inside.  As seen below, he got his tonka truck from Dad which is big enough for him to sit in. 

Thank you so much to Papa and Grandma for the clothes, toys and ornaments and to Aunt Becky and Uncle Nick and Carlos for the sand box trucks and toys.  We were able to exchange gifts and have a great breakfast.  Papa got some alone time with Hudson today as well.

Christmas dinner with the Huffman’s changes a little each year.  But one tradition I am glad has continued…..Steaks.  Thats right, we fired up the Webber, got the charcoal going and grilled steaks.  They were delicious and nothing really tastes better in December than charcoal grilled steaks.

Unfortunately, we all had to leave the morning after Christmas.  The Michigan crew had a 9 hour drive and Julie, Simon, Hudson and I had to be home so I could be at a staff meeting.  Lots of great memories made and to be remembered forever.