Vacation fun

We had a wonderful vacation in Northern Eastern Washington. Our first four days we stayed at a home right on Diamond Lake and had a wonderful time swimming and fishing and relaxing. The house provided a cozy place to stay with a beautiful sandy beach to ourselves. We drank in the change of pace. We could go visit Grandma and Grandpa, but also give them some space and respite too being a few minutes away. It was great for our family in this season.

Long sandy private beach to enjoy. Our fishermen are greeted my our Joseph and Auntie swimming.

Sunsets at night were just beautiful and quiet and peaceful.

               
We were able to stay in the home of a dear couple who has raised eight children, and now are retired living in their lakehouse. They spent every summer here for many years and now have older grandchildren, and a home full of happy memories and wonderful humor. The opportunity to meet them and then get to stay in their home while they traveled was truly generous. We got to see the wonderful pictures of their family and then the kids' weddings, and honestly the love through the years they showed was more than inspirational. They were very generous friends to 'loan' their place to us, which showed us how much our parents are loved. The whole situation was a gift.

I was reminded by this Mother in meeting her and by her life how precious a Mom is. It was so apparent how important a Mom's support and unconditional love is to her kids by her life. That realization alone made staying there and meeting her worth the trip for me. Our kids just drank in the relaxing place and privilege of the lake and being far  away from our routines. The cool evenings and mornings, and warm non-humid afternoons in the water were so fun! We missed the northwest. The kids wanted to stay in the water all day. Joseph was so independent on this trip he just seemed like a different child. Annelise lost all fear of the water and jumped and played so much we couldn't believe it was the same child afraid in swim lessons just last year.

Big brother helped little brother not be scared of the water.

The artist learning about drawing

At the informal ballet

Where did these big kids come from?

  

Grandpa John took the kids out fishing which was super fun. First he took Joseph alone, and he really wanted to learn more since had hadn't been for a few years.  Having a Dad who isn't a fisherman, but a Grandpa who is, makes these moments special. He learned a lot and really enjoyed being out with Grandpa John! And, for great fun, he caught some fish in a couple hours.

Here they are Dad! I can fish!

Next time around Grandpa took Johnny and Annelise for their first ever fishing. Wow did they have fun! They came back bursting with some beautiful fish and talking about how great it was. Poor Grandpa made it a long time in the heat with them both. Their boundless energy cooped up on a lake in a small boat trying to hold a pole still. Mom could only imagine from the shore with a smile. Thanks to a good lil camera we caught a couple shots of their fun. Well since remembering that for me growing up I didn't exactly appreciating fishing myself (I brought along books) this made me grateful my Dad fishes, and I have kids who can appreciate the gift that he has and can share with them. Go Grandpa!

The lil fishermen return.

Mom send this one to Dad!

Thank you Grandpa! We want to go again!

Fresh watermelon tastes better out at the lake after a good swim!

So part one of vacation was very fun. Next comes the horse farm...