Before we arrived at Pretty Lake, we made a pit stop at Crooked Lake to get some sub sandwiches. It took awhile to get 7 subs made (poor kid was stunned when we all walked in wanting a sub order) but they were well worth the wait. I was also lusting after the pizza they had in the hot display, it looked SO good topped with bubbly melty cheese on it. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water! After purchasing our sandwiches (and some beer, of course) we arrived at Pretty Lake. The summer cottage was open and ready for us. Mike and I unloaded our belongings there, and we all ate on the enclosed porch. The weather was fantastic.. but the bees were wanting our sandwiches too, so we ate inside.
After lunch and a quick tour of the place Mike and I would be sleeping in, we headed up to the main cottage. Grandma, Jillian, Mom and I planned out the meals for the week and soon went to the grocery store. Mike, Eric and John got all of the water toys ready. We had canoes, kayaks, sailboat, and of course fishing equipment. When John purchased the summer cottage, it also came with a pontoon boat, aka "the float boat" which was a lot of fun to use. Mike and I enjoyed the kayaks a lot too. If there was ever a time that I couldn't locate him, all I had to do was look to the water, and I would see him out there in the kayak. I'm really glad he found something out there to enjoy so much. He and I also had a couple ping-pong tournaments, where he totally kicked my butt, but it was a lot of fun. I am so NOT competitive in sports. I will play and I will enjoy it, but if I lose, it's no big deal. I just enjoy spending time with him doing something fun.
Each night around 6pm we had happy hour. Whether it was in the screened porch, or on the float boat, it was so relaxing. The whole trip was! A couple of nights, John's brother Steve and his wife Pat joined us. Grandma had brought her hot canned dilly beans and asparagus with her for happy hour.. MAN were they good! I still have some that I brought home with me in my fridge.. YUM.
The star of the week was of course, baby Ella. She is so sweet! I have been so lucky to have been able to see her every few months since April. Now of course I don't know when I will, but I try not to think about that. Eric and Jillian are excellent parents. They are also extremely blessed to have such an easy going baby. She is so happy almost all of the time!
It was an amazing 5 days. I look forward to many more years there making memories with my family. And we did get to enjoy some of that yummy pizza. Monday during the day was "clean out the fridge day" so we ate up all the leftovers we could, and then ordered pizza for that night. It was even better than I had imagined it would taste like!
Tuesday afternoon, Mike and I returned home before the boys got off the school bus, then it was back to life as we know it. Back to soccer and football practices, homework, dinners and bedtime.. getting up early the next day to do it all over again.
Life is going well, work for Mike is busy and at times stressful, but that is the job. Week to week for me is up and down. Can be crazy busy or very slow and sporadic. That is MY job. I am very happy where I'm at right now, the boys are settling into school very well now. No more calls from teachers during the day *knock on wood* and A will be starting after school tutoring to give him some extra help, 2x a week. He is looking forward to his first field trip tomorrow. H is also doing better, and as long as he gets his assignments turned in on time, he should be good. T is still "bored" with school but he does well. I really hope he gets turned onto something he wants to learn more about though.
Over the weekend T had a soccer game.. his team won 7 to 1. He always plays his heart out, and he did this weekend too, stayed in the entire game in fact. We can't attend both games, but his dad was able to go so kept me informed. Mike and I attended H's football game and they won 30-0. It was a great game, the boys played well. H has improved so much this year. The very first day he wanted to quit, and then he was one of "the six" they just rotated in the game because they have to give everyone some play time... and now he's on the first string kickoff and kickoff return teams, as well as being able to play on defense during a few plays. He got "most improved" title last week at practice. I hope he keeps it up! The coaches are super proud of him, and so are we. It's really enjoyable to see him doing so well and making great strides like he has.
Well it's another Monday morning here, the boys are up and off to school already, and I am going to get to the business of doing my exercise. I was able to do it 3x the week leading up to Labor Day, and even got in a Curves workout with Mom & Grandma one day of vacation, but last week after we got back I wasn't motivated at all. I just have to keep taking swings at it till I get in the habit. No more vacations planned for now, so now is a good a time as any to develop this one.
TTFN!
