Fun on the farm.

We LOVE family. We had a blast this past weekend in Indiana for the Haist Family Reunion 2011. As a new member to the Haist Family, this was my fourth reunion and let me tell you- I have always been impressed. Aunt Ellen does a wonderful job organizing with the help of G-ma and G-pa Haist. Everyone comes together for a wonderful time of visiting, crafts, golf, celebrating etc. It's just perfect.

The alarm went off at 3am on Saturday morning and we hit the road by 4am. Grabbed McDonalds (open 24 hours) for a mediocre coffee and breakfast sandwich. We made it to Indiana just in time for lunch at East of Chicago and enjoyed seeing everyone. That afternoon we visited Grandma Zettie and got to see her perfect reaction to meeting Ethel for the first time. Then we headed back to the farm for a baby shower honoring Robyn and Justin Carr, and baby Carr due in just a few short weeks!

Sunday we enjoyed a beautiful service at Wabash First United Methodist Church, and lunch at Twenty to celebrate Grandma and Grandpa Haist's 70th wedding anniversary! Lunch was delicious, but it was even sweeter to watch Grandma and Grandpa so in love after 70 years, reminiscing about their first dates, houses etc. We are so blessed. Sunday afternoon we enjoyed seeing some of the Sundheimer side of the family and headed back to the farm for BBQ, wagon rides, and delicious s'mores.

Happy 4th of July (on Monday)! We headed to the farm in the morning and enjoyed red, white and blue waffles and the traditional Purdue chicken on the grill for lunch. Then we headed to Dave and Sandy's lake house. The lake house was the perfect end to a wonderful weekend. The weather was gorgeous, the lake was perfect, and leaving with crispy sun kissed skin felt great. Thank you Dave and Sandy!

We got back Tuesday late night and headed back to work this morning. Exhausted, but thankful for such a wonderful time spent with family this past weekend.

Love to everyone.
Sam, Katelyn & Ethel

P.S. Ethel had a blast also. Grandma Zettie watched her most of the time we were at the farm partaking in all the activities. Friday night, during a thunderstorm Ethel was shaking (she does not like thunder), so grandma warmed a towel in the dryer, wrapped Ethel in it, and she was sleeping soundly in her towel on Grandma's lap when we got back to the house that night. Grandma also enjoyed brushing Ethel and refreshing her up with some of her very own perfume. Needless to say, Ethel misses her Grandma Zettie :). The time that Ethel did spend at the farm she revealed to us that she is a farm dog at heart.

Craft day! Concrete stones in our garden!

Ben concentrating very hard on his piece of art!

Sam and the big guy.

What a wonderful woman Grandma Haist is- she amazes me!

Wagon ride! Shawn and Gretchen Haist (cousins).

Just the open fields.

Karate Kid AKA Shawn

We belong on the farm.

Dad showing Katelyn how to hold a piece of straw in her mouth like a REAL farmer.

Dad and Sam going out on Kitchen Lake.

Married 29 years!

The Head Chef (grandpa) and his partner.

Chicken is cooking!!!

Happy 4th of July! Representing the red, white and blue!

Married 70 years!!!!

Haist Family Photo- notice the cars are red, white and blue too!