It sounds naughty, but it wasn’t.
I promise!
We just wrapped up the BEST little vacation ever. We had ten adults at the cottage while our combined eight children and three dogs were home with their respective grandparents! It was a miracle that it all came together. We enjoyed four days and three nights of sunshine, boating, cocktails, delicious food, and extreme Jenga. It was GLORIOUS!
Friday evening we loaded up everything for the girls and Penelope and dropped them off with the grandparents!

And then bright and early Saturday morning (8:30am!), we were up and ready to hit the road!

The Olsons weren’t far behind us . . .

. . . and then the Heinbuchs . . .

. . . the Beatons . . .

. . . and the Crupis rolled in last. Partly because they stopped to buy tequila on the way and partly because they stopped for tacos for lunch! Also, Stacey forgot to include Brandon in the picture.

We arrived first, and while we waited for everyone else I read my book. Look at that view!

Matty sat in front of the TV watching golf . . . like a little kid watching Saturday morning cartoons.

Everyone arrived and unpacked. Never fear, no one was going to be without a coozie!

OK, at first I said I wasn’t going to post these pictures BUT if this is the craziest thing we did all weekend I think we’re ok. This is a Shotski. A snow ski that has been turned into an apparatus for four people to take a shot at the same time. I had never seen one before.

Look at the skepticism on my face! I was convinced I would do it wrong and end up with strawberry lemonade vodka down the front of me. I was pleasantly surprised by both the taste of the vodka and also the ease of use of the shotski. See, you CAN learn to do new things at 39 years old! Also, mom, I only did TWO the entire weekend.


Five ladies floating in the lake.

Here’s #2! Also, I have several pictures of the boys doing it together, but that’s a lot of chest hair on display so I didn’t post them. 😉

Those shotski pictures don’t take themselves, and I had to lean back further than I was comfortable with to get everyone in. Josh was there to make sure I didn’t fall overboard.

Most of us walked 2-3 miles every morning!

These two were living the life on our lily pad.

A group shot (minus Stacey who was in the shower), before the Beatons left. Why did they have to leave early? Because they had to wrap up their lives before they move to Belgium for a year TODAY! How cool is that?! I was so glad they got to join us for one night before they go.

Rita called to ask me something and then wanted to know what I was doing right at that moment. This, Rita. I was doing this! 🙂

Side note, if you ever wonder why Matt is never near me on the boat it’s because he’s ALWAYS the captain. Other guys offered, but he really likes to drive so I’m always sitting with other people.

This was during a high speed boat ride. Stacey needed to protect the hair, and I totally respect that.

Have you ever played Jenga at 11:00pm with super intense music (like The Matrix soundtrack) playing? I don’t recommend it . . . or maybe I do! ha! I really do not care for Jenga, but I was a good sport and played. We could all only handle two rounds, though, because they went on forever and the music was so intense that we all needed a break.

So we calmed down with some Jeopardy on Netflix. #addicting

And while we were having a blast with our friends, the girls were living their best lives at Oma and Papa’s house! We Face Timed with them one morning, but other than that we just relied on the pictures that Oma sent me.

Fishing . . .

. . . bowling . . .


. . . playing with cousins . . .

. . . celebrating Andy’s undefeated baseball season . . .

. . . miniature golf . . .

. . . and dress up! Wow!

And our sweet Penelope Pudding was living it up at Grandma Rita’s house . . . complete with sleeping in bed with Rita rather than in her crate!

It’s safe to say everyone had a great four days. Same time next year . . . right, mom and Rita?! 😉
XOXO
I absolutely love playing Jenga at 11pm to intense music! If Contact by Daft Punk comes on, I’m totally focused and unstoppable. Sounds like you all had a super ultimate fun weekend!
Focused and unstoppable would not be the two adjectives I’d use to describe my Jenga playing . . . more like nervous and shaky! haha