Escape to the Lakes

For the third summer, we were invited by Jason's parents to spend a week at the lakes. This year, they booked a suite at a fancy lodge less than an hour away. Really, it was a dream family vacation. No real travel, amazing accommodations, perfect weather and tons of time for playing and relaxing outside. Somehow, they can also handle all of the volume and chaos that comes with two small kids. Thank goodness!

Here are a few highlights from the week:

• Gavin's first fish
• Pedicure, manicure and massage
• Barbecue with my entire family invited
• Kids' first fireworks, over the lake with bowls of ice cream in hand
• 45-mile bike ride for Jason
• Zorbaz pizza delivered by boat
• Building castles on the beach
• Did I mention the spa?
• Jumping off the boat in the middle of the lake - all four of us
• Losing the camera in the lake, after backing up all of the photos on the computer
• Grilling steaks outdoors
• Watching Jason and his dad fish off the dock
• Playing mini golf and eating ice cream
• Massage, right?
• Making s'mores on the fire
• Collecting shells and snails with the kids
• Swimming daily in the pool

Thanks, Dwain and Benita, for an unforgettable week.