Water n Wood

Uncle Garth contacted me today and so kindly offered to make sure that we have enough wood and water. Hey they own a water company in Rockie why didn't I think to tap into this family resource!!!! Thanks a bunch uncle. So family just bring water bottle that can be refilled uncle with take care of the rest. Thanks!!! Only 3 more sleeps!!! Woot woot! ~Jenny

Calling All Hudkins Weiner Sticks!!!

So, Anutie Charlene's family is in charge of Friday supper. We've decided to do hamburgers and hot dogs followed by campfire s'mores. We will try to be set up for around 6pm but you can eat whenever you arrive. We will have some hamburgers made or you can roast a weiner. It would be great to know who's coming when. Could you leave a comment on the blog or a msg on my cell (780) 881-4888. But, please bring any weiner sticks with you as we don't have enough to go around! Thanks!!

1 week until the BIG weekend folks....duh the REUNION!!!

So guys just a few more tidbits of info to share:

* Directions can be found through the link www.mcleodcreekfarms.com We'll have a sign on the road.
* The site has a massive shelter with open sides, the picnic tables are underneath so bring camping table cloths if you have any - we have a few! Of course camp chairs for around the fire.
* There are 2 BBQs (Jenny will bring propane forthem), if you have a camp stove please bring it. Especially if the meal your family is planning requires one (Jenny has one stove). Some things can be cooked over the fire though!!!
* We have some people bringing table games and other fun games but if your family is fond of anything in particular bring it! Cards...ahum Uncle Troy!!!!
* We have to bring in our own firewood. Uncle Garth is bringing some but if anyone else has stuff to burn bring it!
* There is a creek and this is a functioning farm so bring BUG SPRAY!
* Grandma bought some plates and supplies from Costco but if you have camping gear;
ie. plastic plates n stuff please bring them....we HAVEN'T bought for everyone, for the entire weekend....we are hoping we've bought enough for Saturday night and then a bit extra for those who might not have supplies of their own!
*On Sunday morning Alyson and I have responsibilities at church which we need to attend to and are planning on going from 10-1. However, back at camp Grandma and Grandpa will be heading up a devotional for those who are staying there. ;)
* Remember your own water is important...huge flat a good price at Walmart!

Ok family thanks for your patience, help and excitement. Please don't hesitate to call me if you have any questions. Totally post if something big is missing that we haven't covered. The more minds thinking about the weekend, the less likely we are to overlook something. Cheers and Hugs!! ~Jenny

gone fishin'

Early June Jordan, Austin and I went fishing. We caught a couple large Pike and a couple large walleye. Jordan caught the largest Pike. I estimated it to be about 17 or 18 pounds. I caught one about 15 pounds. the 2 walleye were about 50 cm long, the largest I had seen. We only took pics of Jordans Pike. The 2 pike we released. Austin was afraid of the fish in the boat and cried a little. For a short time he didn't want me to catch anymore fish and only wanted his dad to catch fish because Jordan released his fish. He wanted us to stop fishing and go back home. It was a little funny but I guess he has a soft spot in his heart for fish. Late June Brandon and I went fishing and caught some small walleye which we released. It wasn't as good fishing as in early June. I will be doing alot of fishing in august and september as I'm on vacation for 5 weeks, so if anyone wants to come for a few days fishing and possibly camping, give me a call.

clearwater picnic

We took Keisha, Austin and Brooke for a picnic at the Christina river campsite and did a little fishing last week. We went further up the river and found a nice sandbar and went for a dip. It was a little overcast and had some rain at the start but it turned out to be quite nice. I think the temp. got up to about 22-23 deg.

The boat is quite noisy, so everyone wears hearing protection. As you can see Austin is singing, I'm sure it sounds nice but no one could hear him.

Later in July or August the water will get very clear. it wasn't as murky as the camera shows. It has been quite high water due to Spring run off and rain. The level of the river has dropped at least a couple feet (60cm) since I first took the boat out in late may.

Thanks for the pics and updates of everones families. We sure do enjoy them. All the little ones are growing and changing so much, even the young adults are changing too but not so much as the children. We are really looking forward to the Reunion. (hopefully I won't be called in to work). It will be a challenge to cook for 40 plus people without a kitchen but I'm sure we will do fine.

Bossy Cousin REUNION news!!

A few updates:

So guys upon thinking about our family picture I would like everyone to wear white shirts!! I'm thinking it will look uniform and accentuate the people and the setting. I know it's a bit bossy but what did you expect from me?! :P The pool is booked from 4-5pm and pictures will take place right after....so we'll have individual family photos first(those who've requested them) as we gather the masses for the group shot. We're hoping to have all the pictures wrapped up and eat at 7pm.

Also I will be at the site by 4 o'clock Friday so whenever you want to start rolling in I'll be there. Check the link I've previously posted for directions.

Thanks guys!! ~Jenny

Camilla is one year old!

Hey Family,
Just wanted to share some pictures from the girly's birthday. We can't believe she is a year old already!! The poor kiddo just got 4 needles today for her immunizations. We've had a good snuggle today as she is not feeling so hot after getting a poke in all her limbs. Anyways, can't wait to see you all at the reunion!!

Emma Helped Decorate the cake!! Mike came up with the music note idea since Camilla loves music and dancing, and I found a picture on the internet.

We practiced blowing out candles all week, and she did it for her birthday!


She also blew kisses to all her party guests, and loves the sunglasses that Kristen got her :)

Dad caught a good picture of her playing on her favorite spot sporting her cool sunglasses.

At the end of the day, we went outside and made birthday wishes for Camilla and then let the balloons float away with our wishes, so no one would ever find out.

Love,

Reunion Countdown!

Start packing for Friday July 30th- Monday August 2nd then drive your car to www.mcleodcreekfarm.com (Just north of Edmonton)!!!


Remember:

* we need to bring our own water, for cooking and drinking
* hoping each little family can bring some type of snack food to share, either a pan of squares, a container of cookies or a watermelon...a snack to share with the masses throughout the weekend...store bought is ok too!
* breakfast and supper will be provided (Charlene-Friday Supper, Brent-Sat Breakfast, Grandma/Sylvia-Sat Supper, Garth-Sun Breakfast, Troy-Sun Supper, Leftovers-Mon Breakfast) BUT LUNCH is on your own, so bring lunch supplies for your little family Please arrange a switch if this doesn't work for you!!!!
* Saturday afternoon swimming- we've booked the swimming pool is Fort Saskatchewan so bring your swim suit if you'd like to participate
* Saturday night we'll be honouring Grandpa Hudkins who turns 75 this year ( in May actually) this evenings dinner will be at the Fort Sask Chapel. We've booked the gym so can put up tables and use the kitchen.
* Also Saturday night we have a photographer coming to do a group shot, if you'd like individual family pics contact Jenny asap

Please ask your family to check this post or pass along the info.

I'm looking to confirm numbers so please contact Jenny to let me know who from your family will be there. Auntie Sylvia is sewing some goodies so we really need to know who will be attending, thanks!!!!

Looking forward to it! Love you all ~Addie, Alyson, Leslie & Jenny

Graduation celebration

Hey family! So I was fortunate enough to have graduated last week (SHOCKING!). It was pretty awesome, so here's a few pics to prove it!

Mom and Dad got my face put on a cake, I though it was pretty sweet!

I was voted to do the salute to the teachers at the ceremonies.

Prom

Before grad my beautiful date and I went out to the lake and got a few photos taken by Emma. Didnt she do a great job!

Well... Arland is a man of few words!

Janene and I are so excited for Arland and were also very happy that gramma and grampa and all his brothers and sisters were able to be home to share in his high school graduation. It worked out very well as Mike was on days off from his new job with the city of Edmonton Fire and Chris was also able to join us as he has weekends off from his job with the city of St. Albert. As you read in Gramma's Comments, she and grampa were chauffeured by Mike and Chris, it was just nice to have the boys able to catch a ride with them! (That way they couldn't get into any trouble on there way here or on there way back home). It was also great to have Mike4 and Addie and Camilla with us to share in Arland's Grad. Camilla is alot of fun now that she is toddling around. Thank you Mike and Addie for putting your wedding anniversary on hold for Arland's Grad!

Arland's prom escort is Madison Hatch, she has such a beautiful personality and of course by the pictures you can see she is also very pretty. Her father is in the stake young men's presidency and is a wealth of information when it comes to cave exploring and repelling. (we hope to have our ventures certified for rope repelling by the end of this summer).

As Arland stated, he and Emilie Train gave the salute to the teachers, they both did an excellent job! Arland was well respected by all the teachers and by his peers in West Central High. This shows by how they treat him and by the many comments I have received from peers and teachers alike these past several years.

The weather was co-operative for the grad weekend and Janene did a wonderful job at feeding us all. Arland had a group of church friends from Red Deer over for the weekend and they stayed up all night partying. What a nice group of YM and YW, some returned missionaries and some prepareing to go on mssions... and a few girls scopeing out both.

We are excited for Arland as he has now entered a new phase in his life. He is currently working for Husky Oil for the summer (saving as much money as he can) he then plans on going to Edmonton in September to work. He will be spending the next ten months preparing for his mission the plan is to be in the mission field in less than a year! Hard to believe!

Wellllll I don't want to be a blog hog sooooo by for now!
Love Garth

The Aliens Have Returned

Or at least the aliens in America have come back to Canada.

OK, So Nancy, Troy, Cal and MacKenzy are all in Lethbridge. Cassidy and Jeanine are in Fort Saskatchewan. We are all happy to be together again, it has been a long 8 months. Our small 100 year old house is starting to get a little room in it, thanx to Nancy and Kenzy working on putting stuff away and we are slowly getting settled. Auntie Nancy is watching 2 baby girls for Alyson and Jenny, who we are visiting in Lethbridge with Charlene also.

It is nice to see those we have seen in the last couple of weeks.

Love to everyone,

Troy