Trip to the Lake

The first part of our vacation was spent at the cottage. We spent 3 whole days taking in the warm sun and cool water, it was the perfect way to start off the week.

Saturday morning the first thing Johanna wanted to do was test out the water. I wasn't sure how she'd react to the squishy sand below, but as long as she had her water shoes on she loved it!

 "Little" Leo loved watching everyone splash around. I say little because Leo just turned one and is already getting bigger than Johanna.

 Taking the paddle boat out for a ride, Johanna was in charge of steering.

 It was so great to see Clint, my brother-in-law and Max my nephew. It had been almost a year since I'd seen either of them! Max had grown so much since I'd last saw him I barely recognize him!

 The lake was very shallow this year, maybe Michigan is just as dry as Colorado this year? One of my favorite spots on the lake is the sandbar. While growing up we would always take the boat out for a ride then anchor at the sandbar and spend the day swimming and diving off the boat.

 And speaking of boats...Johanna is a fast boat ride JUNKIE! The first fast ride she threw her hands back and started screaming at the top of her lungs. She was loving every second. When Papa slowed the boat down she immediately looked back at him and screamed 'Faster! faster!!'

While we were at the lake we had a party for my Grandma's 80th birthday. We decorated the cottage for the day and it looked so festive and fun.

 My Grandma's birthday was that week and that Sunday happened to be Father's Day. My Dad's birthday was the next day, then Clint and Jeff also had upcoming birthdays. It was so nice to be able to celebrate everyone's birthdays together in person.

 My Mom made Grandma a super delicious chocolate cake with hot fudge in the middle. While we were sitting at the table we all sang happy birthday. Johanna was sitting across from Oma and she was eyeing the cake with so much anticipation. While we were waiting for the cake to be cut Johanna says "Mmm-mmm-mmm!" while licking her lips. Jeff and I looked at eachother and just cracked up, where does she learn these things?!

 One of my favorite things to do at the lake are afternoon walks. After a full day playing in the sun and full bellies from yummy dinners from the grill it always feels great to stretch your legs. Johanna and Max were having so much fun they ran the whole way.

 While they continued running we came upon a family lighting off some fireworks and sparklers.

They were kind enough to share. Max loved it and asked for seconds.

 As we headed back from our walk the sun was just setting. Did you know that in Ohio around the first day of Summer the sun does not set until 10pm?

Have I mentioned how great of a big cousin Max is? He is the sweetest little boy ever. He made sure to hold Johanna's hand all throughout their walk. He loved to give JJ smooches and also liked to squish his little cheeks and call him names like 'marshmellow' and 'cutie pie.' He was so gentle with both of them, I was never nervous to leave him alone with either.

 JJ thought Oma was the funniest thing in the world, all she had to do was look at him and say hi and his whole face would light up with the biggest smile and he'd get the case of the giggles immediately.

 Leo is only a year but he was also very interested in baby JJ. He is such a sweet boy!

He would come over to JJ and rock him in his chair.

Corn Hole and Ladder-Ball both great lake games!

 On Saturday my Cousins Jeremy and Erin their little boys Carter and Preston and my Great Uncle Phil and Aunt Joanne came to visit. It was so great to see them! Johanna had so much fun exploring the cottage with her cousin Carter. He was also such a sweet boy taking care of Johanna, man these guys are going to make great boyfriends later in life!

Playing the drop it in the water game with Cousin Preston. Carter and Johanna loved to sit on the dock and watch for minnows in the water!

 JJ was having the time of his life at the lake, he always had something to look at.

 So I had to post this picture of my Dad because he is wearing his Super Dad shirt- we bought it for him years and years ago for Father's Day and he still wears it on his special day. It is tattered and worn and barely fits but it is hilarious!

 In the box of toys Johanna found a little sleeping beauty figurine. Guess what she played with all week? Here she is playing peek-a-boo with sleeping beauty and Oma. I've never heard her laugh so loud!

 Here they are wearing their matching outfis from Hawaii, aloha!

 Last but not least, here is one last photo from our trip to the lake. We've had the hurricane deck boat since I was a tiny girl so it is in its late 20s. The past few Summers it's broken down a few times despite taking it in for repairs. This year its been doing great and is running faster than ever. We say its because she knows its her last Summer with us and wants to make it a good one! Johanna loved going for rides, here she is zonked out on a nice leisurely ride we went on in the afternoon.

What an awesome time spent at the lake, if only we lived closer and could go every weekend.