Homestead 2007

The Whole Family

This is my favorite time of the year as the leaves change colors, the nights are cool enough to turn the air conditioner off and of course The Van Wyngaarden tradition....HOMESTEAD!! This year was another fun year as all the family members pile into a two bedroom condo. The number in the family isn't as bad as the ages of the children. Of course the oldest twins, age 14, are never a problem. Michael and Haili have their times but are basically doing their own thing. Beezer...well, what do you say about Beezer except he is Beezer. Now here is where we get to the fun part. Three babies all in their terrible two's and all in diapers. Hummmmm do we dare say this was a relaxing event without not telling the complete truth??? On Tuesday Amber was telling us how she would like to look into staying an extra day this year and leave on Monday rather than on Sunday. That talk ended quickly after not getting much sleep the first night. The second night wasn't much better as all three babies woke up several times during those nights and cried. Actually it really wasn't that bad!! I had to reassure Amber and Rachel that the babies would grow up and it will get better. I could say this because after all, I experienced the same thing when Ryan and Amber were babies.

Nobody's grandkids are as cute as mine!!

The golf tournament wasn't to much of a surprise....Remember John has taken golf lessons for who really knows how many years, Ryan has played many, many times and if he can't win by skill alone he always seems to put a lot of pressure on those who are close in his range by intimidating them and trying to fluster them to make them loose. Leo, well, let's just say he can get the award for most improved after all he took lessons this year. When you look at these three contendors you would automatically assume that one of them would win. But you would be wrong and we all know what assume often turns out to be...making and ass(u)me, I'm sure we get the picture here. When Erik started competing with the "men" in the family as a young boy age 13 he surprised the "old" guys with his win in the first annual Homestead Classic in 2002. Then he did it again in 2003. Ryan took it in 2004 but Erik came back with a strong win in 2005. John took it in 2006 and lo and behold Erik finishes strong in 2007 as his last year before his mission. Needless to say, the Homestead Classic is a big deal and the victory is always very sweet as the loosers vow to win it the next year by again taking golf classes and practicing every time they have a chance.


My favorite part of this fun Labor Day weekend use to be going into Midway for Swiss Days. In my old age I have come to the conclusion that my favorite part of this fun event is spending time with the family and taking pictures of the family on the Sunday just before leaving. It is so much fun to see how much the kids have changed in just one year.

My Three Kids

The Rays

The Gonzalez Family

Me and my Grandkids

It's hard to believe that this Van Wyngaarden/Homestead tradition has been going on for over thirty years now. I can remember back when the rooms cost a mere $25 per night. Now you can get a room for around $200 a night, the two bedroom condo that use to cost around $200 now costs us over $400 a night. If my dad would have only thought to buy a little house, condo, or cabin way back then....I wouldn't have to find an excuse each year to have the management reduce the cost for us (this is a private joke that the family is well aware of...lol). I can't wait for next year!!