.reasons to smile.: Cottage with the Judkins

The Judkins invited us to their family cottage last weekend... what a great time!!! We had a few sprinkles here and there, but nothing too bad. We left on Saturday morning and were back by 3pm on Sunday. Lots of fun for just a short amount of time. It was nice, because we weren't going to be there for too long... so we didn't have to pack a bunch of stuff. It was a very pleasant little trip.

We took our camper and it was the first time all six of us slept in there... plus Maggie. It was a full house, but we managed just fine. My first mistake was to try to put Kate to bed before she was super tired... I struggled with her for awhile and also had Nate in there. Kate kept saying "no sleep camper, want to go home." I tried to reason with her and tell her that if we went home we couldn't swim in the morning, but she's just too little to understand that. Finally, she fell asleep when I was holding her (and also bouncing Nate in his bouncy seat.) Nate fell asleep and then I was able to lay Kate down and she didn't move. So, it worked out just fine. We are going camping this weekend and I think I'm going to have Kate hang out with us in the stroller at the end of the night until she's so tired she asks to go to bed or falls sleep in there... hoping that'll make the process a bit easier. We'll have to see!

Nate got up once during the night and thankfully Kate just opened her eyes and went back to sleep when I was feeding him. Nobody else got up except Rachel to say "Mom, why don't you just feed him?!" as I was trying to make his bottle in the dark! Good times!

We spent most of the time in and by the water! They have a perfect lake for kids... it's very shallow, lots of nice sand and clean water. Here are some pictures of the fun!!

[Nate's first boat ride!]

[no, he wasn't always this happy in the life jacket!]

[everyone down by the water... great time!]

[Rachel and Ellie had so much fun playing together!]

Mike and Andy were fishing and Mike ended up having a fish swallow a hook. By the time they could get the hook out the fish wasn't in too good of shape. Mike felt bad, but I guess commented that it would be eagle food. Later that day when we were out on the boat we realized Mike was right. I tried to quick grab my camera and get some pictures. They aren't in focus the best, but better than nothing I guess. It was SO NEAT to see this... and so close to us!!

[wish this one was clearer]

[right after picking up the fish]

[Kate did great in the water... she had so much fun!]

[Nate just sitting in the boat when at dock]

[like this picture]

[Kate and Ellie - so cute]

[cool dude!]

[Eli and Jack played so well together... the kids all had a blast!]

[thanks Andy and Gena for a great time!]

[great smile]

[checking out the minnows that were caught]

[Ellie... might be my favorite picture]

[the boys loving the minnows... maybe a little too much]

[another one of my favorites]

Andy, Gena, Ellie, Rachel, Kate and I took a swim across the lake. I'm not a swimmer, but made it. I did a lot of doggy-paddling! The kids all did great, too. Rachel and Ellie swam almost the entire way back. They were very proud... so cute.