Uncle Dick and Auntie Jan's cottage--June 22-25

Once again, we had the good fortune of joining our extended family at my aunt and uncle's lovely lakeside retreat. The girls and I enjoyed our aquatic adventure--boat rides, tubing, swimming, kayaking! Wow!

The best part was that we got to visit with family that we don't often get a chance to see--and I'll be darned if a few beverages weren't involved!

Our very first boatride of the trip--Woohoo!

Scout, Megan and Ruby

A bit of nightswimming

Of course these girls had to get in on the fun!

Did I mention that we got a king-sized bed all to ourselves???

Ruby and Hadley watching the lake from the back of the boat (Becky and Ann in the foreground)

Ruby and Hadley

Ruby is a Lake Girl

You wouldn't know it from this distance, but this boat is holding some precious cargo

 When my cousin Rick rigged up the boat to carry the 3-seater "tube," Scout was awfully interested. Before I knew it, she had her life-jacket on and she was off with Olivia and Hadley for a trip (two, actually) around the lake. Ruby was beside herself with envy, but her turn would come soon enough.

Grandma and Papa spending time on the boat and the pier

Ruby took this photo!

Beck and Mom walking back to the cottage

Sawyer (my cousin Becky's son) eating a popsicle

The boat returns with my precious cargo...

Olivia, Scout and Hadley--the tubers

Becky, being kind of gal she is, makes sure Ruby has some fun while waiting for her turn on the tube

Megan, Jake and I had a turn, too

Ruby, Scout and Hadley went out for two trips around the lake on the tube (Kevin pulled them on the wave runner, and Olivia spotted)

They're back! (Mackenzie is in the foreground)

Boat ride #2--Scout and Hadley are on Rick's lap

Ruby has to have a turn, too

Auntie Jan, Mom and Ann

Wilbert, Becky and Lynn--and Ruby wearing Wilbert's hat

 Just a bit of a funny Ruby story: We introduced folks to Ruby and among the family members we mentioned was Wilbert, my cousin Lynn's hubby. Well, Ruby heard "Wilbur." And, if you don't already know this, Wilbur is kind of a famous dude in our house--Wilbur is the name of the pig at Famous Dave's. So, Ruby and Megan first had a conversation about Famous Dave's (where Ruby told Megan that she liked to eat their beans), and later Ruby got to talk to "Wilbur" herself. Wilbert was a good sport, telling Ruby that Wilbur the Pig was his brother and indeed he did work at Famous Dave's. Ruby smiled, nodded and got to wear his hat, so I think they really connected over the topic of Famous Dave's and Wilbur the Pig.

Auntie Jan had a belated birthday gift for Scout and a little something for Rubes, too

Here's Scout and Auntie Jan

Scout holding her new Belle pajamas!

The girls and I went on a kayak ride--just a single kayak (we all fit!)

Scout really wanted to paddle all by herself

Scout had her chance at a solo mission

We stayed pretty close to the shore, but I think she did pretty darn good!

Rick and his co-captains

Jake, Mom and I on the pier sippin' Bloodys

Grandma and Auntie Jan

Me and Ann

Uncle Dick, Jake and Megan (and "hi" Scout!)

We  were so fortunate to be able to stay all weekend, it was perfect. The weather was really nice, and the company was even better!