The cottage 2016 trip was AMAZING!! I am not for sure how every year is just perfect but then each year it gets even more perfect?? I attribute it to the beauty of life and the journey you travel with the ones you love and cherish the most. Thank you God, for this miraculous gift of life. I stand in awe of each moment spent together during this week.
Seriously?! Look at the remodel that we were surprised with when arriving to see Uncle Tom, Aunt Cathy, and Bailey. I see many more cottage trips in the near future. Thank you Uncle Tom and Aunt Cathy for living so open-handedly and sharing your slice of heaven with us!!
The first few nights we were able to spend some quality time with Uncle Tom, Aunt Cathy and Bailey. :)
Surprise gifts for the kiddos!
Luke and his new Legos...
Elle and her dollhouses...
Morning: #1
My little snuggle bug still loves to snuggle!
Two peas in a pod...Luke is growing by leaps and bounds and has so many characteristics of his Dad. From his responses, to how he holds his hands in his pockets...I sure do love these two!
A yummy breakfast from Uncle Tom...
We are so grateful for the special bond that is forming between our children and their great Uncle and Aunt!
We went swimming in the largest waves that we remember seeing there!
So fun!
Day # 2 and 3, The Kerrs headed home and in came our roomies, Gpa and Gma Cooley for two nights!
Out to eat for breakfast...Always out to eat with Mom and Dad. :)
Day #2: Another day in the water!
Drew fell asleep a couple of times on me down at the water's edge. I remember holding him and thinking that this is probably the last time I will have one of my own babies fall asleep on my chest down at the beach. This thought made me sad. To think of all the times we spent on that beach with our little babies, taking naps on the beach, nursing them on that beach, having each of their toes first touch sand at that beach. But then at the exact same time, I was watching Ben, Luke and Ellie splashing around in the waves and I am so excited and thankful for the new path of life that awaits us a family of five, with children who are growing, learning, and exploring the world around them.
Papa is Luke's absolutely BFF. Luke wakes up each morning to go see his Papa and loves to be right by his side.
And talk about sidekicks...Drew adores his Grandma. If I am holding him, Grandma will walk into the room he stretches his arms out calling for her to hold him. Here Grandma was insistent that he had his own ice cream cone and he loved it!
Ice cream is the best from The Cove in Harrisville!
And speaking of favorites...Here is mine.
Walking back to our cars with happy tummies and full hearts.
Grandma was suckered by Elle to read her to sleep...
Day #4:
Game of the week: Playing the card game 31. This was really fun for Luke because he was able to bet with his own money and an added bonus was that at the same time he was really practicing his adding and counting money skills.
Papa, can you see the words now?
Just the 5 of us for a bit...Day #5...
These two sweet little faces. They love each other so much.
AND this cheesy grin...He melts everyone around him.
Do we really get to stay here at this paradise???
Luke's favorite this year was kayaking.
Ellie's favorite this year was her little, pink car.
Day 6: Luke's first time going golfing!!!
He LOVED it and went again when Uncle B showed up!
He loved driving around the gold cart!
Ellie and I ran out from the cottage when we saw them coming up to the greens on the backside. We took a few swings.
I LOVE listening to Luke read. It might be my favorite new skill that Luke is embarking on. I am so proud of this little man.
Our annual trip to the marina to check out the boats and pick out our favorites.
Happy baby in the sink...
Day 7 and 8:
Our last visitors...Uncle B, Aunt Mol, Benny and Ty!
We went to the Dunes! Ellie of course leading the way after our picnic lunch.
Luke in the back running down the dune to jump in the water at the bottom. So fun!
Down at the bottom!
Walking back up was no joke. OMG. With 3 kids for our family, 2 for them and Mol being preggers we almost all died. For real. Luke made it up all by himself which surprised us all. Ben carried Drew and Elle held my hand with Ben coming to get her about half way. B took Benny up and then went back down to carry Ty up and Mol gets the gold star for carrying her and little baby nugget all the way up! And we all lived. :)
We are so thankful to do life with these guys!! Our families love each other and it's fun to watch them grow up together.
Uncle B is everyone's favorite story reader!
And that's a wrap...7 nights. 8 days. A lifetime of memories.
