We just spent the entire weekend with Mike's family at this beautiful cabin away from home. It's been our 'get-away' place now for a few years. We love it! Rain or shine, it's a great place and we had a wonderful time with family!
I took Mike's parents and our three children up on Thursday morning. It rained all day, all night, and all day Friday. The cabin has a really nice pool and sitting area, but that didn't bother me a bit! It felt so good relaxing inside the big camp and playing settlers with Dad's, spending time in my journal, watching the kids entertain themselves and hearing the pool table games going on downstairs. We sipped coffee, listened to music and laughed. The kids finally decided to jump in the pool that night. It just was too tempting to not. Swimming in the rain only lasted a few minutes but they got wet. That's what counted. It was 11:30 PM before we closed our eyes for the night.
Friday was still wet and rainy. The kids slept in reallllly long. Hadassah woke up at 11:15. She wasn't sure if she should eat breakfast or lunch first? :) Those sleeping in days are over for me and I am OK with that. At times. ;) It was more games and laziness throughout the afternoon. Mike came up with his sister and husband and brother and wife. The five of them joined us at noon.
Mike has a serious issue with me giving him a list of items to bring along when we go on vacation. (I am going to try to work on this!) It never fails that I forget something or think of something fun he should bring along. I texted him to bring a game, the ice cream maker, and ear plugs that I forgot for the kids while swimming. Now that didn't seem too tough? Is it? He had such an issue with the ice cream maker. Originally, I had in mind that I would run out to a local store and buy ice cream for my supper meal that I was making for everyone that night. Then I remembered the ice cream maker in our garage and knew immediately that that would be so much better. Much better. Plus, Mike's parents are pros at making homemade ice cream! Win, win situation! He did bring it but with an attitude. If it would be up to him, he would pack so lite and we could pack up for vacation in five minutes and unpack in two minutes. Men ...!
I worked in the big, very nice kitchen on and off throughout the afternoon. It was raining and I was glad that it wasn't teasing me to be in the sun. It was my day to make supper. I baked a cake. Cleaned the strawberries. Got all the fresh pressed hamburger items together. Snipped off the ends of fresh sugar peas and so when it was time to start dinner ... I was ready! Steve's, Ben's and Ritchie joined us that eve too and now we were all together!
Mike grilled the hamburgers while the men took turns turning the ice cream maker! It turned out perfect! Mike did admit that bringing the ice cream maker really wasn't that bad after all. :) The kids and mom took a dip in the pool in the rain again. Never a dull moment! We played more settlers and games! We sat around and chatted. The campfires will have to wait for tomorrow night. It was yet another night of up late and having fun!
Saturday it rained in the morning and then cleared off after lunch! The air was cool and so the pool was still not being used a whole lot. The kids played wiffle ball in the yard with Ritchie for a long time. The men sat around watching Steve with his Brisket and smoker!!! Then they played quates while us ladies watched! We had a wonderful meal at supper!!! Steve served us Brisket with lots of sauce options while Linda and Lena added more yummies to complete the meal! Everyone was raving over the good, tender meat! Good job Steve!
We were ready for some campfire fun and smores after dark! We roasted marshmallows and hot dogs and chatted. Mostly about childhood days. Memories. Hadassah, Jeffrey and Jeremy had a 'truth or dare' contest going on. Matthew had fallen asleep by the campfire or he too would have enjoyed this! They were in the kitchen at 11 PM daring each other to try popcorn with onion salt and cheese. Something to do with ketchup and bananas and applesauce, etc.. They laughed and laughed! We decided to start a game of settlers at 11 PM too. Only at the mountains do you do crazy, late night things like this! :) Most of the men were still chatting around the campfire. That never ended till after 2 AM!
Sunday morning we woke up to SUNSHINE!!! We were excited for a day of sun and water! The kids had a blast swimming, playing KanJam, and being with cousins! After clean up and packing up (Mike's idea of being able to pack up in five minutes went down the drain because his wife has not consented to packing that lite yet), we headed home. We spent the evening resting in our very own back yard and munching on chips and salsa!
We are so blessed to have family that love us. We are blessed to have Christ in our lives and being able to call family our friends!!! Thanks everyone for the great weekend!
I made a bean salsa that seemed to be a hit! I posted the recipe last summer and it really should be posted again because it is sooooo good! Also, here's Mike prepping the grill!
The kids really enjoy swimming! Especially with cousins! :)
Now, it back to REAL LIFE for a Monday. The washer and dryer have been going for a few hours. The suitcases are unpacked. The yard needs mowed but the rain is keeping me inside. We are blessed to get rain just when we really, really need it! Thank you Lord!!!
I am happy to say that because of our fun weekend, I was able to check off some of my 'Summer Fun List' things! I ate a smore and we made homemade ice cream! I splashed in the pool and ate a bite of strawberry pie. I exercised! It's a good start to my lengthily list. And, we even visited the library this fore noon and now we are booked to the max with Adventures in Odyssey Cd's and we got books for the kids to read while being out of school! :)
Have a great week!!!
