Off the grid....

Ah, the summer trip to the lakehouse.I can't even tell you how much we love it there. Instead we'll just show you with photos. LOTS of photos. Sorry for the bombardment. I'm too lazy at this point to make a slide show, so the post will be VERY lengthy.

This year I was a bit anxious about leaving our giant mess behind for the trip to the lakehouse. We were really in the middle of some huge projects when we pretty much just set all the tools down and left for Northern Michigan. But, even though I felt like my head would explode if I left that mess sitting their to be finished, it didn't. And, I quite enjoyed the trip. Maybe even more so than other years.

This year was the first year that the boys could pretty much mind themselves. We needed to keep an eye on them of course, but for once we didn't always have to be within 5 feet of one of them. They could play nicely together without us. Saying that out loud is like a deep breath of fresh air. The lakehouse, whether I'm ready for it or not, is a sorely needed respite where my brain goes off the grid for a week. No cell phone, no facebook, no email. Nothing.

Instead: A big stack of library books with aged pages and worn bindings. Crackling fires. Perfectly roasted marshallows (which my mom is rather good at), smiling boys, tremendous feasts at every meal and rest. Lots and lots of rest.

Even though the lakehouse isn't our house at all, for that brief week it certainly feels like it is. There is something cathartic about stepping on the dock and eclipsing all the worries about the new house, work, bills, etc. with the sound of gentle waves.

Bike rides. Sand castles. Bubbles. Ladder Ball. Enjoying them all as often as possible. The lakehouse transports us to easy afternoons, sandy feet and sunburns. Its really quite amazing. Even as I was working to let go of all the worries I had back in Minnesota during the drive, I found that they didn't really disapear until we pulled in the driveway of the lakehouse, and then, almost like they were never in my brain. I let them go.

These photos are what happened next. How amazingly the week unfolds for our family. By Tuesday every year I think SLOW DOWN, enjoy the moment, because before you know it, it will be over. But then, we look forward to in the next year with such anticipation. Its like Christmas. Bittersweet when its over, but then the cycle starts again.

And so, here is our weekly narrative:

 Agnes-Grace is big! 1 year already! Enjoying her time with grandma on the porch.

 This year we had to upgrade life jackets and purchased this funny shark one for the boys. Collin put it on on Sunday and pretty much tried to wear it all week even though we didn't go on the boat until that Friday.

 The beach made for hours of entertainment. Lots of minnows, crawfish, sand and small mouth bass.

 Ice cubes are cold to chew on!

Papa is good for cuddling with and taking naps.

 Boat adventures with the three musketeers!

 Blueberries!

 And then Nana supplied squirt guns. Oh Nana! Craziness ensued.

 We were so ambitious that we all watched the kids from our stationary chairs.

 But also anxious to do fireworks! Nana lit up the first sparklers before it was even dark.

 Agnes-Grace requested some kisses.

 Owen played peek a boo with Papa.

 And ate up his weight in smores.

 Owen cuddled with Auntie Andrea.

 And Agnes-Grace had her first lakehouse evening campfire.

 When it got dark the kids go the sparklers out again and chased the lightening bugs.

The boys rarely sat still, and when I asked them to, they gave me these faces.

 Even Nana was on the beach in the sand before breakfast.

 Owen was so focused on making sand castles he went straight to the beach in his pajamas.

 Agnes-Grace brought her water table, which added to the beachside fun.

And Great-Grandma Ruth came to visit!

 We took fun family photos

 And grandma (who is 93!) he'd Owen for a photo. He's HEAVY!

Auntie Andrea went for a swim and learned the minnows were liking her sunscreen and they flocked to her like fish food.

 Owen practiced his ladder ball skills

 Collin sported a toucan belt accessory.

 Owen reached in the air, like he just don't care.

 We took one straight and narrow picture.

And quite a for more that are a bit more "realistic"

When all was said and done we said our sad goodbyes to the lakehouse, and went our separate ways back to the cities and routines of our everyday lives-- back on the grid, maybe a little lighter on our toes and happier in our hearts.