We seriously love ice fishing.
We aren't necessarily good at it, but we love it!
`
You know, sometimes the best traditions happen organically. I also love the traditions that 'everyone' does, but are still special, such as getting the Christmas tree, going to the 4th of July parade or Memorial Day weekend camping. However, having something, practically a holiday, that is yours alone, is pretty special, even more so as you look back at all the years you've done it and the memories made!
In January 2009 we decided to invite my family down for the weekend so that they could experience ice fishing with us! My older brother lives in Ohio, so that meant we were inviting my parents & my younger brother & his wife. On that first year Taylor also brought a friend, so we had a total of 11 people. Nate & Meg are teachers, so we chose Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend, because it was a long weekend they had off.
So, the tradition started, as these types should, with no idea that it would become a tradition! Just an intention to have fun as a family & share our love of ice fishing!
We've tried Stetson Pond, Hermon Pond & Etna Pond. We've gotten wet & had fires & eaten hot dogs & taken naps & had bathroom breaks at Hermon Mountain & gone ice skating & had some super cold ones too! And I mean REALLY cold!!!
Things evolved & I like to give gifts, so I started giving little gifts to everyone. And we like to eat, so we made special food! We here in Carmel anticipate this gathering more & more with each passing year! I've noticed especially the past two years that it has served a purpose in ushering me from the aftermath of Christmas to the new year, giving me something to plan for, prepare for, and look forward to.
We threw in some games & fun & crafts & decor & devotions!
A couple of years ago we even had a timed cooking competition for the kids! We scored them on plating & taste & use of ingredients! They loved it!
But you know~ It may have started out to be about ice fishing, but even then, it never really was about ice fishing. It was about connection & family & relationships. It is about time together. It has become an excuse to ice fish, and a reason to get together! Time spent together is very precious!
This year, our 6th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Ice Fishing Weekend, was a pretty low-key year. Nate, Meg & Haley weren't able to make it. D wasn't able to be with us when we went ice skating & ice fishing. Noelle wasn't feeling well enough to go. But I have to say... it has been lovely still. Treats & movies & can-you-believe-it~ we haven't even played any games yet! It's good proof that it's not nearly as much about what you are doing as who you are with and how united spirits & caring hearts bring warm, genuine family memories that will last through & through!
Kind of a 'bloom where you're planted' type of a thing.
Creating your own fun.
Celebrating Life.
Important stuff, if you ask me.
Thank you, Foster Family, for making the trek in cold weather & snowy roads to our crowded, chaos-filled house, to sleep who knows where and over-stuff yourselves with too much food! Thank you for buying fishing licenses that you'll likely only use once & dressing your 1-year-old up to go outside, not knowing if it will last 2 minutes or 2 hours. For playing just one more game of Farkle. For not leaving when maybe, kinda the wood stove was smoky and maybe not working correctly?! For listening to books read a loud & for sitting on the carpet & playing & for helping with the dishes & the cooking. For fully embracing our family. We feel your love & we hope you feel our love for you!
I could not ask for a better winter tradition for our family.
Joy Unspeakable!
No comments:
Post a Comment