Sister Fun

Re-enactment of younger days

I am late in getting this posted, life gets somewhat busy at times and real busy this time of year with working for others as well as tending the garden and mowing the yard. I am sure your life is the same way.

On the Sister Six annual campout this year, we headed back to the KOA in Middlebury, Indiana so we could take in the sites of Shipshewana. Of course this meant seeing the little shops and going in the Amish stores. For many, the Amish stores would have been an extraordinary thing, however, I live in the heart of Amish territory, therefore, it was all common place to me.

Visited our old Christian Campground

Now for the Sisters, they all live close so seeing Amish people and stores is not an everyday occasion; however, it is far from out of the norm. Nonetheless, we loved seeing the process of cheese being made and of course, the chocolates and the oven roasted veggies.

Like an large group of girls we have our serious side, stay out of my space side and of course the silly sides. There is a 20-year age difference from eldest to youngest. Youngest, the babies of the family just turned the big 5 0. Oh my, that means since I am the middle child I will be 60-years old mid November and the eldest Sis will turn 70-years old on December 1^st.

We have been camping since 1981 and finally upgraded to renting a fully loaded cabin. 

 Do you have sisters? Sisters in Christ? Try putting together an annual vacation for this many years without a hitch. At times, the dates and places can create issues with work schedules but all in all, we love each other and long for the next year, I hope you enjoy our serious side as we did a shout out to our aunts with Amazing Grace.

Weaver Annual Family Camp

My 4 biological grandchildren

This year we had our annual family campout August 2-5, 2012 at Hoffman Lake Campground in Warsaw IN. Although we weren’t exactly thrilled with the rudeness of some of the seasonal campers and the management of the campground, we loved being together. 

Cousins don't always share!

Daddy loves giving rides to his baby girl

Z enjoyed the 4 wheeler

Big brother loves his Sis

Our campouts began in 1997, the year our father passed away. We did not go very far, in fact we camped out in mom’s backyard. We have been to four different campgrounds trying to find something that fits the needs of all. Since I believe we agreed never to return to Hoffman Lake Campground, we are once again in search of a place for my big family to go.

Family Camp 2011

Zeely wanted to eat lunch on grandma's van

Family camping can be fun but a challenge. First, you have to get your family to agree on a time and a place. We went to Eby Pines in Bristol Indiana the last 2 years. I don’t know where we will go next year. 

The boys launching water balloons

Zeely wanted to play football with the boys

There was a lot of swimming as the weather was so hot. The boys liked to play touch football and launching water balloons at the girls. The little ones enjoyed simply playing with each other and running around in the stream of bubbles.

Even dogs come to family camp.

Cornhole game

Cornhole game

For the adults, it was good conversion, swimming, cornhole competition and cooking great meals over hot coals.

Setting in the shade for conversion

Oh and who can forget we made and enjoyed smores.

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How to Make Hobo Dinners

During family camp 2012

It's officially hobo dinner and camping season. Have you ever made a hobo dinner at your camp-outs? Well our family does, and has many times. It has been an annual meal for our camp-outs followed with smores for dessert. Over the camping years, your size and age may change however, something's never change and that is a hobo dinner.

 When the Sister 6 is on their annual camping trip we make hobo dinners and it is usually based on what diet the girls are on, however, even with the gluten issue making a hobo dinner is easy. Our hobo dinners typically have chicken breast or ground turkey, potatoes, carrots, onions, green peppers, green beans; basically the vegetables that are fresh and coming out of our gardens. At times we may corn, zucchini and or basil/oregano. There is NO rule of thumb, design them for your family.
 

1. Since we are camping, wash all the veggies, take them outside set at the picnic table and slice and dice the veggies and meat in bite sized pieces. Maybe a veggie per paper plate.
2.  Evenly divide the mixture between the extra large sheets of heavy aluminum foil,  roll up the edges tightly. If your foil is cheap you may choose to wrap each packet again as you do not want it to fall apart in the hot fire.
3. Cook in the hot coals of a campfire until the chicken is opaque and the potatoes are tender, around 40 minutes. 
4. Remove from the fire, being very careful, unfold and top with cheese. 

Hobo dinners are easy to make, to clean up and delicious.  If you have never made a hobo dinner, at your camp-out, this is the time to start.