I suppose all my updates should begin that way since I am always behind on updating….. Anyways, earlier this summer my sister Jessica came to visit for about 10 days.  She was so much help and fun to have here. I really missed her after she left.  Because there are 9 years between her and I, we have never had a lot of time to hang out and really enjoy each other’s company.  That’s what made this visit so special.  We just spent time together.  The kids loved having her here and asked when she was coming back for weeks after she went home.  We played, and went swimming, and (drumroll please).................

FINISHED PAINTING MY KITCHEN CABINETS!!!! which I have refinished twice now and have been working on them for over a year but that is besides the point.  So after a year of no cabinet doors I would like to finally announce to everyone that they are done!!! I love them, but most of all I am just glad they are done. And just in time too, because Alivia is into everything these days! So here are a few pictures of her time here and my cabinets.

Every two years my extended family on my mom’s side has a reunion.  This year we were privileged to host! It worked out well because there is a campground across the street from our house, and most of my family was then going to be attending family camp following the reunion so they were all headed this way anyways.  It was a fun filled couple of days. There were 36 of us in all who spend three days talking, playing games, eating, and fellowshiping. Some of the activies that are staples to our family reunions are horseshoe tournements, waterballon toss, scavenger hunt, some really crazy relays, bingo, and volleyball, and an afternoon at the lake.  While it may seem silly to have so many organized activites for a family reunion, they build memories and provide for many hours of fun and laughter together.

Each evening a different couple of families headed up the dinner meal. After dinner every evening we had a campfire, including a devotional led by one of the uncles, and then some singing, and an evening snack, like S’mores! This time is one of my most precious memories as a child growing up and I am so thankful that my children will have some of the same memories.  It it only by God’s grace and blessing that we can have four generations all together woshiping him, and spending time sharing in His word and growing in Him. I cannot express the joy I have when we are all together. And I pray that Matt and I will be able to raise our children in such a way that they will also be blessed in the generations to come by a family devoted to the Lord.

Another highlight of our time together was Simon’s 4th birthday! I made him truck cake, red, just like dad’s truck, just like had has asked for.  We had pigs in a blanket and mac’n'cheese.  Matt’s parents sent a pinata for the kids, so that was a fun activity for them. It was so fun to have everyone there! It’s just nice to have reasons to celebrate life, and to be able to celebrate with all the people who are dear to us!  So now we have a 4 year old. Oh boy!  It has been a good four years, and we thank God for the blessing of Simon. His joyful heart, sensitive and helpful spirit, inquisitive mind, and loving care for others are all things that we are thankful for.  We pray that as he grows his heart and mind would be opened to the wonder of our Savior and that his life would be one that brings glory to God. 

This year the Huffman’s were able to take our first family of 5 vacation.  This summers trip included spending five days in Michigan with Matt’s family and three days in Iowa for the wedding of Rachel Schultz and Josh Van Der Maaten.  We officially logged just short of 2500 miles and had tons of fun with family and friends.

Part of the reason for this trip was to help celebrates Matt’s moms 60th birthday.  Of course with Simon and Hudson, you don’t have to ask them twice if they want to go to a party.

Here are Matt’s mom and dad

FATHERS DAY

On Fathers Day, Julie and the kids unfortunately stayed home from church as Simon and Hudson had both spiked a fever the night before.  That afternoon, we celebrated Matt’s brother in laws graduation from college with another party and grilling.  That night Matt’s parents watched the kids and we headed for Traverse City to go on a much needed date night.  The plan was to go back to the restaurant where we had our first date ever, the Jonathan B Pubb in Traverse City, Michigan.  The first date included Julie being introduced to hot wings and shepherds pie.  Unfortunately, on this fathers day, the Jonathon B Pubb was closed due to mechanical failures in the kitchen.  We settled for a round of mini golf at Pirates Cove and a delicious meal at Red Lobster. 

The boys were having a blast at home with Grandma and Papa and Carlos roasting marshmallows and setting up the tent to sleep in the yard.  They had a blast and I am not sure they even realized we were gone. 

Alivia even got in on the new sandbox. 

TRACTOR PULL

On Monday night we decided to load up the crew and go to the tractor pull over at one of the local fair grounds.  The boys enjoyed walking through the barns beforehand looking at the animals and then going to the local Tastee Treat for ice cream. 

Heading for Home
Tuesday we headed for home and once again the kids traveled great.  Simon was disappointed as he was sleeping when we crossed the Mackinaw Bridge as that seems to be a highlight for the trip.  We were able to grab this snapshot before we left.

Wednesday we spent at home unpacking suitcases, doing laundry and repacking suitcases to head for Iowa.  Matt worked on Wednesday as there are some things that he cares for at camp that needed to be taken care of before we left for Iowa.

MADISON ZOO

To break up the long days in the car traveling, we decided Wednesday night to meet Julie’s sister Jessica at the Madison City Zoo as she was on her way to her other sisters to help them move and could meet us for the afternoon.  The boys had a great day and couldn’t really wait to see the next animal.  Funny thing though, Simon kept asking to see the monkeys and yet that was the first thing we saw, he was just in so much of a hurry to see the next animal he missed the ones he was actually looking at. 

We ended the day by stopping and spending the night in Platteville at Julie’s mom and dads.

LE MARS, IOWA

On Friday, we traveled the rest of the way to Le Mars, Iowa in pusuit of the Schultz/ Van Der Maaten Wedding festivities.  Friday included a stop at Bob’s Drive In (Home of the Bob Dog - another reason to visit LeMars again) and Ice Cream at the Famous Blue Bunny Museum and Ice Cream Parlor.  We had the opportunity stay with Lanny and Julie Schultz’s house which included our first time over the covered bridge of LeMar’s Iowa.  A huge thanks to Lanny and Julie for your great hospitality and generosity.

The boys had a blast on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning playing in the pool set up on the roof of our host’s garage.  It was a nice relief for the 90 plus temperatures and too much humidity to handle. 
The wedding was absolutely beautiful and as Simon would tell you “very nice.”  Of course Simon slept through the whole thing.  The reception was a lot of fun and included a few interuptions compliments of Simon.

Here is Josh and Rachel cutting the cake.  Disappointingly enough they were very nice to each other.
Saturday night we tried to drive through the night but were thwarted by a tornado warning an hour from Le Mars.  We drove back to Lanny and Julie’s for the night and tried again the next morning.  Needless to say, the second time was the charmer as we made it home in record time.

On a funny side note, we stopped near Chippewa Falls for a bathroom break and to get lunch.  Julie pulled Alivia out of her car seat and she sat on my lap while she and the boys were in Kwik Trip using the bathroom.  She loved sitting in the drivers seat with dad and got more than one comment as we were sitting in the only spot available, right next to the front door. 

One night a father overheard his son pray: Dear God, Make me the kind of man my Daddy is. Later that night, the Father prayed, Dear God, Make me the kind of man my son wants me to be.

Well that time of year has come and gone again.  This year Camp’s Annual Garage sale went very well.  Even though donations were down and there were really no large items that were sold, camp did quite well that day.  God brought out people who were ready to buy “stuff” and lots of it.  So after the usual week of set up: hauling, organizing, cleaning, and pricing, the day of the sale went wonderfully.  Matt’s parents came again to help out which has become a tradition.  Thankyou to everyone who put in time to make it a success. 

before hauling

after hauling

a taste of what we had to offer