Sneak peek at our week.

One of the views...

The boys caught a lot of these...

Speaking of boys...here are the three...

These feet have been busy playing in the sunshine.

My favorite part of this week is that we are pretty unplugged and the boys make their own fun outdoors.

Here they are searching with Uncle Andy.

Even Henry held them gently.

The week is coming to a close.  The milk is gone....no more lattes can be made.
We are down to hours instead of days.
We will savor the sunshine moments for now.

We thrive...

We thrive when we are gifted visitors.

I love to host.

I love not having to do a 6 hour drive to see those we love.

Recently, my aunt and cousin popped in for a quick visit.

It was kind of weird to see them on our turf.

But we sure did enjoy their visit.

We played a few rounds of Cadoo..our new favorite game.

new iphone app love...

There is an iPhone app that is quickly becoming my favorite thing.
It is called Instagram.
It is basically facebook combined with twitter. You basically can follow people like twitter ...or facebook...and you can share snippets of your moment to moment adventures using pictures. The pictures are taken with your phone of course and there are instant editing choices to give them really cool looks.

Here are a few instagram images from our vacation so far...

If you "instagram"...let me know :)

water consumption has increased...

Water consumption has increased by 300% in our house. 

Due to this new thing...

But you know what else has increased due to change in water consumption...

A mother's favorite past-time...

Laundry.

Both boys wet their bed the morning after they were given the chance to get their own water.

I for one am looking forward to the excitement simmering down.

This year....

Miss Sydney joins us at the cottage.

And she is finding her place.

Swinging from the doorway, watching the world go by.

I scored some Internet connection.
So I could fix the date mix up on yesterday's post.  Congratulations Tracey and Kimberly for noticing my date error. 
Time for my latte.

Today:
-the sun continues to shine.
-the minnow challenge between Uncle Andy and boys vs. Mama Sarah is ON.
-We are in charge of the dinner feast...salmon, green beans, potatoes...

Flashback cottage 2008 - Henry's first year

Henry, born January 4, was almost 1 month older than Sydney...so about 7 months old.

Flashback cottage 2005 - Charley's first year.

Charley, born October 25, 2004, was about 9 months old.

our men are troopers...

 The other day while driving to my haircut I got teary thinking about our year north this year.

Typically, I head north with just the kids and Ed swoops in for an overwhelming day or two at the end of the week. He gets us all tired, dirty, and trying to pack up.  I make him do everything we have enjoyed leisurely all week in the 36 hours that he is there for. 

My sister's husband has been coming for the full week for a few years now.  I am always impressed with his comfort, patience, and ability to put up with our crazy clan.  Heck, we are the in-laws..which mean we are automatically we are a bit much - whether we are awesome or not. 

This year Ed is coming for the whole week.

I don't even know what to think for this upcoming week. 

I am guessing it will be a bit more of a vacation for me.

But as I drove and thought about our two guys.

How they both are taking precious vacation days, to be shoved in a single cabin, with their mother and father in-law and sometimes psycho sister in laws.  Well...it was a bit overwhelming.

I am so blessed and I am so excited for this week.

Two incredible guys.

And to think that 15 years ago we didn't know that they would be part of this place in our hearts. 

I know my sister feels the same...

But thanks guys and I hope that your week is just that for just a wee bit of the time..."YOUR" week. 

But for the rest of the time, I know you'll be okay with us ladies bossing you around, telling you to get in the lake, change a diaper, and go get ice. 

I just turned 35...which means, I have journeyed "Up North" with my parents for over 35 years.

Amazing.

We have rented almost the same cabin with almost the same people for all of those years.

Every year the group is a different cocktail of people...some had babies, jobs, school, or other things that influenced whether they were "Up North" for any or all of the week.

I have not missed a year.

Flying my "Haven't Missed a Year at the Cottage in 35 Years Freak Flag" with maybe too much pride.

The thing is...it's okay when people miss or can't make the whole week. 

The group ebbs and flows and tries to enjoy and make due without each person that adds an element of fun.

This year there are more people who aren't going to be there.

My brother and his girlfriend are out touring Europe.  Much more sophisticated.

And then there are two cabins who are usually jam packed with friends that won't be there.

The K family won't be there to talk books, giggle, discuss dinner plans, play Dion's music enthusiastically, and just be. 

They were the late sleepers in the group...

So I have a feeling that all week we will all be watching  "their cabin's" direction...waiting for them to shuffle down to the lake mid morning.  Colleen would have her fancy umbrella chair.  Connor would have an outing that he had planned for the day.  Cathy would have her diet coke and book.  And Dion would have deep things to disuss.  And life would settle into it's rhythm. 

Each year is different.

Each year is wonderful.

Each year we anticipate the week and how it will go.

This year - I am not anticipating the lack of K up there.

I haven't let that fact settle yet.

Reality will hit in about 36 hours.

We will miss you all.

Looking forward to Cottage 2012!

All me and her.

All me and her.

For another week she relies on only me.

Kinda proud of that.

Proud of her satisfied state of mind.

Her happy personality.

Proud of her yummy nummy thighs.

She might look like her daddy...but those cheeks. 

Those are her mama's hard work.

I have nursed all three of my children.

And someday I will wish I could experience it again.

It is something just between a mama and her child.

It is the first thing that draws out their personality.

Their determination.

Their anticipation.

Their contentment.

I supplied her with the goods that plumped her up to the chunker monker that she is today.  And in a week, we will start new adventures.  We'll get out the spoon, the high chair, the mashed bananas and smooshed peas.  And it will be good. 

But these last 6 months.

They have been great.

I turn 35 today.
I graduated from college.
Taught classes of 25 first graders to read.
Got married.
Earned my masters degree.
Birthed three children.
But I think in my 35 years...one of the most amazing things I have experienced is nursing my babes to a ripe plump stage of life.  Just think about that ...all me.  Happy birthday me.  hahaha!  How's that for a birthday reflection :)

love.

 A mother taking in her daughter's handiwork.

In the coming days I will have the opportunity to pack up a few books.

The books will taunt me and then I will finally choose one and crack it open.

And I will hope for a few minutes where we use that little piece of technology up above while Miss Sydney naps, breathing deeply the cottage air...

And the boys...they will play until they tucker out. 

And I will maybe get to enjoy a little reading time during the daylight hours.

It has been awhile since I have read a book. 

I go in spurts.

Books are dangerous for me.

Up til the wee hours of the night.

Ignoring household chores and inhabitants.

So...

Part of the fun of vacation is the piles of books that all us gals bring and share.

So I have a few fun novels.

I will also have a photography book to keep my brain challenged.

And a few baby feeding books to get me all set on making baby food because the moment we return Miss Sydney will begin feasting on mush!  yum yum!

 I have also had a really long week or two with the boys.

So I know I will grab up some parenting books...in hopes of solving all the problems we've been having...

even though most of our issues are due to the weather being so hot.  And also the fact that these little guys are learning, growing, and passing through phases from day to day. 

But I am a sucker for a good parenting / mothering / self help book.

Any recommendations?

It's all I got...

A little bit of booty buisness...

And some chunky cheekers...

and oh, my favorite, the chunky monkey thighs.

Today is our 9 year anniversary. And those strong hands that hold our daughter...the little one that finishes off our trio of trouble, he is one great partner in life. He is a great man to have around. He is mine.

9 years. Kind of proud of that. One more year and we will have been married a decade. These days - it is something to shout from the mountain tops because marriage is hard and awesome and challenging and worth it.

In our 9 years we have moved from an apartment to our first home...our town home. We painted it bright and vibrant colors because our marriage was fresh. We then moved on to our house where we are kept on our toes with house projects that keep Ed busy. We bought our first vehicle TOGETHER, a Tahoe, but have now moved to minivans. And boy do we hate to admit that we find that they are the most logical vehicle for this "stage" in our life. Ed has supported me as a working mother and through the journey of earning my masters and now as "just" the mother of his children. I have supported him as he works long hours to do great things with the job that takes him away from us each day. We have gone on trips as a couple to Vegas, Seattle, Florida, Georgia,and Maryland. We have enjoyed tons of family time and adventures with friends. But the biggest thing we have accomplished so far...is making our life as a couple turn into a life as a family of 5. And even though this parenting gig often times consumes us, drains us, and leaves us watching tv in separate rooms (craving alone time)...it is an amazing journey that keeps us growing and learning and working together. And I think we have been pretty darn good at taking a few moments here and there to just be...you and me.

Thanks Ed...for a great 9 years. I couldn't be more proud to be your wife.