Poor Little Sunfire

Brad and I had quite a time in Traverse City last weekend. It is a beautiful town on Lake Michigan about 4 hours north of us, and we were able to go up for the weekend to babysit for some friends while they were at a wedding and also to have a bit of a vacation as well. At least, that's how we pictured the weekend going!




Things were going fine until Saturday night. We had spent the day sightseeing and enjoying the beautiful beach, and around 6pm we went to pick up the children we were babysitting. We switched cars with our friends Josh and Tamara because of the kids' carseats, so we had their van and they were going to drive our car back after the wedding.


Around 11pm, Brad got a call, and he got all serious and walked outside. I didn't think much about it, but a few minutes later he came inside to tell me (and Josh's family, who were back from the wedding) that Josh and Tamara and Josh's sister had been in an accident. We were obviously very concerned, but he quickly told us that they were okay, which was a big relief. Then he said something about them being in our car...and I suddenly realized that THEY WERE IN OUR CAR!! The accident was not at all their fault - they were approaching a flashing yellow, and someone coming on another street had a flashing red and didn't stop. We were so thankful that they were not hurt at all. So we hopped in a van with Josh's brother-in-law and drove the LONGEST hour ever to where they were. The car had been towed to a dealership since it was not driveable.


When we got there, we all did the hugging thing, and then took a look at the car. It was not at all as bad as we had expected and we initially thought it was fixable. That was a late night, as we did not get back to our hotel until after 3am, and then we couldn't get to sleep for ages.

(Josh felt very bad about the accident...even though this picture may not show it!)

The next morning, we took a cab to pick up a rental car...and let me tell you, Brad was SO excited about the rental car! It was a Mercury Sable Premier...and we will probably never own one!!! But it was a nice treat to cheer us up. We ended up staying around Traverse City an extra night so that Brad could go to the dealership in the morning to drop off the keys, then we headed home.



Despite all the car stuff, Brad and I had the BEST time together. I am so thankful for him and the way he reacted to all of this stuff. He was very calm and gracious and didn't really freak out at all! Our last day in Traverse City was wonderful and we were glad to have a bit more time there, even if it was because the car was smashed up!


The last few days have been interesting as I have been learning to drive stick, so that I can drive the truck that Brad's parents so kindly loaned us. It's been a little stressful, but Brad has been a very patient teacher and he only made a few funny faces about my driving! Today (Thursday) we finally got the verdict on the car...TOTALED! We couldn't believe it. I guess the suspension may have been damaged, and with the body work and everything it would be almost the price of the car. We are still making decisions about what we will do about a vehicle...we would appreciate your prayers for wisdom about all this!


So that's our story. I'm pretty sad about the Sunfire, because it was my first and only car, and it was such a good little car. Yes, I know it's not a person...but I got attached! Poor little Sunfire!

A Fun Weekend

It was a typical American weekend for the Hunts...enjoying the great outdoors with friends, eating food from the grill, battling the mosquitos...ah, yes, the joys of summer. Brad and I had a great but busy weekend. On Saturday, Joanna came over and helped me to weed my vegetable garden (I will have to tell you about the garden later), then we headed out to a nearby campground where many of our friends from church were camping. We enjoyed a potluck and endured the searing heat. Brad and I rode the motorcycle out with our friend Josh (well, he rode his own bike separately!) and it was a perfect day for a ride (except when we stopped at a stoplight I immediately began to sweat). Anyway, it was a lot of fun.

Then on Sunday, after a beautiful NASCAR nap, we headed out to Brad's parents house to celebrate Father's Day. The whole family was there and we enjoyed more grilling (thank you Brad!) Lots of yummy food and again, blistering heat. I would never survive in the desert.

Back in Business!

Last Friday night Brad and I had a lot of fun looking at cameras. We finally picked one out and we are SO happy with it! It is a Canon and very nice...unfortunately it has become very clear already how little we know about using it! There are so many settings and options and functions...but I am eager to learn. I need to do some research or get a book or something to learn how to take great pictures. Luckily the camera is good even if you don't know what you're doing, so we've been able to take some nice pictures even this weekend. It takes video too and I found someone who knows how to put video on a blog so I am going to have her show me how to do it (now all I need is something to take a video of...hmmm....).

On Saturday, Mom, Dad, and Sarah came to visit :) We had a wonderful time catching up, hanging out, and eating (of course!). We didn't really do anything much, just went to Lowe's and Home Depot to look at paint colors (Jo and Ryan are going to paint their house soon) and to JoAnn Fabrics to look at scrapbooking stuff (they don't have JoAnns in Canada). Sarah and Jo enjoyed riding on the motorcycle with Brad (even though it made mom a little nervous). Brad's parents, Chuck and Lois, came over for dinner, and we ended the day with a challenging game of croquet (challenging because our yard is not flat at all!). It was so much fun and made me wish that Mom and Dad and Sarah lived closer. Saying good-bye just doesn't seem to get much easier. I'm glad we had a bit of time to spend together, though!

Having a picnic lunch in the back yard.

Sarah and Brad riding the bike.

Sadie loved having so many people to play with!

Sarah playing her new favorite game (I am saying that sarcastically - she had a bit of a hard time and came in sixth - yes, that would be last place...but she tried hard!)

Awww....Jo and Ryan looking so cute together.

Delinquent

Okay, let me just say that I know that I have been delinquent in posting to the blog lately, but this time it has been with a good reason. Our camera broke! I'm not sure exactly what is wrong with it, but it keeps shutting down every time we turn it on. So that has been frustrating. I had a few things I was going to post, but unfortunately they will have to wait. We are hoping to be able to get a new camera soon...we don't want to miss anything! And with summer coming there will be all kinds of fun stuff going on. So keep checking - hopefully we'll be back in business soon!

No More Marvin!

Strange title, I know. But if you've ever seen me riding the motorcycle with Brad while I'm wearing my old open-faced helmet, you will understand. Yes, I look exactly like Marvin the Martian. And no, Brad did not tell me that until we brought it home from the store! You'll understand why I was a little wary of getting a new helmet...how can I trust Brad anymore to tell me if I look stupid in it or not? I have come to the conclusion (after seeing this picture) that any helmet on the market will look stupid on me - now it's just the degree of stupidity I need to be concerned about. On the scale, this one is like a 3, where as the other one was like a 9. It's all relative.


I seem to have bad luck with helmets. After the "Marvin" incident, I did get another full faced helmet (about 2 years ago) and it was great...at first. Then one day I put it on...and it didn't fit! I guess I am really packing on the pounds...in my forehead! Every time I would wear it I would get the biggest headache ever and have a big red mark across my forehead. Between that and the Marvin comments...I'm really starting to get a complex!

So last Friday, Brad and I took a trip and got me a new helmet. I am actually really super excited about this new helmet. It is so comfortable! Brad is really jealous because he wanted one too but they didn't have one in his size. We got a great deal on it and saved about $70 so that made us happy. And, the guy who sold it to us told us that he had "crash tested" this same helmet at about 60 mph and he didn't even get a concussion. I'm sure my mom feels a lot better now! And I don't look quite so much like a martian, which is always good!

Isn't it pretty????

There's No Place Like Home...

My new year's resolution - to write on this blog more! Yes, I know, it's April...apparently I put off everything until the last minute!

It's always so good to go home :) A few weeks back, Brad and I were able to take a long weekend to visit my family. Favorite thing about being home: someone is always making a cup of tea, no matter what time of day (or night!). They are party animals - they stay up way past 10 o'clock! We had tons of fun shopping and watching Gilmore Girls (poor Brad - well, at least he got to watch a race instead of go shopping with the girls!). Also got a surprise phone call from my friend Melissa who I haven't talked to in eons :)

Here are some of my favorite pics from the weekend:

Playing some pong ping - lots of laughter, not many points scored!

Dad and Sarah catching a few z's...how can she even breathe like that?!?!?!

The girls watching...the girls!

Aw...what a precious family :)

I cannot even comment on how crazy it is that Sarah is driving now...

Always good to see my long-lost friend, Dana, who drove in for the weekend from the Great White North...

What was this game called? I can't remember...but we had tons of fun playing it with Sue and Stan! Man, what is the name of that game...now that is going to bug me all night....

No, we didn't take Sadie with us this weekend (or ever for that matter - what are we, crazy?!) but I just had to put these pictures on because she is so CUTE!

Maybe next time I will write about all the amazing things we are learning from the dog whisperer show - we are finally able to get Sadie to not bark all the time! It's like a miracle!