Summer Vacation

We spent a lovely week on Little Toad Lake with Jason's parents - fishing, swimming, tubing, grilling, boating, playing at the beach and generally just having a really great time together as a family. The kids played and slept hard, completely exhausted at the end of each day from all of the sun and fresh air. They couldn't get enough of the beach, digging in the sand and walking around in the shallow water. Little Gavin just crawled along the bottom of the lake, pretending he was swimming. Covered in sand, he'd laugh and jump back in. He liked riding in the boat too, as long as it wasn't at the end of the day and too near his bedtime.

Natalie loved fishing with her dad, chatting away about all kinds of things and doing her best to catch a fish. They spent three hours in the boat one morning fishing with nothing but fake worms, but they were pink of course and she was happy. She came home with a plastic container holding three big ants she had caught in the boat. "Look what I caught!" she cheered.

Mostly, it was just nice to only drive an hour and park ourselves for seven days with no real chores, no work and no responsibilities other than seeing the kids were fed, safe and happy. Life gets so busy, so demanding and so hectic, it's hard to carve out time just to relax and enjoy time together. That's what this wonderful vacation with Jason's parents enabled us to all do. And we're so thankful for that.

So thanks, Dwain and Benita, for a wonderful summer vacation!

Checking out the beach with dad

Eating Smores made on the fire.
This was Gavin's first time having the yummy treat.

Gavin playing in the sand, having the time of his life.

Gavin didn't let his lack of swimming skills stop him.

He just crawled on the bottom of the lake instead.

Natalie and Daddy are ready for fishing. Gavin will be ready next year.