More Lake Fun and a Little Work

This post is from about a month ago. We made as many trips to the lake this summer as we could because I'm afraid there won't be many more years of Lake Wawasee in the future. The yearly expenses of the cottage are grand, and I know they won't be met for much longer. My fondest memories from childhood center around Lake Wawasee and the summers spent there with my family! I deeply want those memories for my girls and family too!!
This trip Armand worked his tail off!! He did a beautiful landscape project and stone work on the side of the house where we grill out. I wish we had some before pictures of the area because it was completely bare! He does amazing work!

He did all this in two days!!

Taking a break

There's nothing like a Daddy pillow

Feeding geese on Daddy's back

Mimi with the girls

Eating at The Frog- you dock your boat right out front!

What an amazing Pops!!

Mimi and Pops

Two Sisters and a Hose

Kaela and Makenna love to play in the backyard together! It's really nice for me too, because I feel safe letting them play without having to constantly supervise. I'm able to get stuff done around the house, and only have to periodically check on them. Kaela wanted to help Daddy water his plants, so I turned on the hose and helped her get started. When I went back to check on them awhile later this is what I found.......

Do you see Kaela under the umbrella?

Goodbye Summertime

I'm already missing the warm weather!!
These pics are priceless!
Warm weather, watermelon, and neighbors..........what more do you need?

Cousin Fun

Breakfast time at the lake

Before bedtime with Andy and Moni

Kaela and Leyton finally asleep (they started out in separate beds)

Kaela, Makenna, and Bella

Cheryl and Devin

Uncle Andy the balloon master

YUM!

Thanks Aunt Moni and Uncle Andy

Aunt Moni leading the snow cone making

Okay, I admit I'm horrible at this blog thing. I think I will regularly be a month behind on my posts, but at least I'm not giving up yet!!

This post is from when my sister Cheryl and her family visited this summer from California. My brother Andy and wife Moni were also in town from Texas at the same time. This adds up to some fun and crazy times! Sadly, we only get to see each other once a year. The kids are getting older now, so it's enjoyable to see them building a strong cousin bond. The three older kids Bella, Leyton, and Kaela all shared a bedroom. It made for late and stressful bedtimes, but memories I know they will always remember. They days were filled with swimming, boating, snow cones, balloon animals, and tons of laughter!! We can't wait til next summer!

Baby Allyn Elizabeth

Welcome Allyn Elizabeth the newest member of the family! I was very blessed to be there for the delivery as the baby nurse. She came in to the world crying and hasn't let up much for her new mommy and daddy! My big brother Brian and Somer have had a challenging first month with Miss Allyn, but are doing a wonderful job as first timers. She is absolutely beautiful and I can't wait to watch her grow and become a little person!

Congratulations Brian and Somer!!

Bike Ridin'

As the typical younger sister, Makenna is always wanting to do what her big sissy does. She started trying to climb up on Kaela's old bike, so I lowered the seat and let her at it. It's amazing to me that Kaela starting riding her bike at this age also. It became a team effort with Kaela and Victoria helping her around on their rollerskates. She needs a lot of practice to figure it out, but she was just happy sitting up on the bike like a big girl!

Lake Trip #2

Our second trip to the lake was a blast! The weather cooperated beautifully, and the girls were already comfortable with the cottage and routine. The lake swans Chief and Cinnamon visited us, but wouldn't get close enough to feed. That really upset Makenna! I uploaded a video of Kaela singing to the swans to try and get them to come closer. Her swan song didn't work, but we did have many duck feedings.

Sad the swans left

Chief and Cinnamon