I like it here, at the cottage, with its mismatched furniture, old moose decor, and welcoming feel.
It’s easy to imagine us returning summer after summer and allowing the boys to outgrow themselves here.
They have been anything but still. Their over active imaginations crowding their ever absorbing brains. They have been restless and busy and alive.
The lake is quiet, the private road that leads to the cottage is a gravel path nestled between corn and farm field. The boys have brought some noise to the humdrum.
Their voices can be heard from the canoe that charters away into the water, the boys first time in a boat.
Their Daddy brave and bursting with pride.
I watch from the dock. And wait.
A party boat passes by the dock, a barking rottweiler its loyal passenger, two American flags crisply blow in the breeze creating a rhythm different then my own, a tackle box covered with dirty fingerprints reminds me to relinquish control and a pair of Aidan’s white socks quickly discarded when Daddy said it was okay make me smile as I think of the tiny toes that fit inside.
A canoe in the distance makes it way towards me, my whole world
drawing closer with each paddle.
They dock, my oldest son assuring me that he knows how to rope the canoe securely. His father compliments him on a job well done.
My little guy watches the water as it rhythmically rocks him back and forth.
They step out of the canoe, first Daddy and then little feet touch the sun faded planks of the dock
and their hands touch mine, my husband puts his arm around me, kisses me
they are all laughter and grins.
They are all I’ll ever need to have.
Taking a deep breath, I realize my breathing has been labored
uneven, shallow…waiting for their safe return.
I exhale and cast my fishing line back into the water.
24 Responses to “Our First Family Vacation”
Beautiful !! Looks like you all had a wonderful time !!
The boys are growing up so fast and looking more and more like mini-men every day !!
Ahhhhh! I want to cast my line back to the cottage! Kudos to you again on arranging EVERYTHING, and to all of us for providing the FUN!
Such a beautiful post! It look so relaxing and like such a wonderful experience for all of you!
Thanks for linking up!
That's a great looking "world" you have there. Beautiful post. I love the pic of the boys in their life jackets
This was an amazing post. Very well written, I felt as if I was right there. The photos are priceless of your little boys!
awe.. it looks like they had fun… how did they do sleeping at a new place??
so well written and a perfect way to put the insecurity of when our little ones are away from us
Kerri – You sound so much like me. I love family vacation. I love being close and surrounded with those special people in my life. And I don't know if I would have been able to let that canoe leave. Too scary. I worry every day when my husband drives 2 hours to works, so I know I wouldn't be able to handle my babies out on the water. I'm so glad you all had fun!
seriously I am ready to relax now! You are such a great story teller! The pictures are gorgeous and peaceful! I hope on my vacation next week I can take some pictures of the mountains and all the green!!!!
Your boys are just adorable! I just looked at the pictures again…freakin awesome!
This is a beautiful post! The pics are gorgeous, and I love how you catptured a mom's heart. I find my "mommy" self realizing I was anxious after the fact quite often. Stopping by from Shell's PYHO.
Kerri love love LOVe.. we have been going to the same lake since I was probably 10, which is almost 20 years in a row its the best week and we spend a day picking berries at the nearby fruit farm and go fishing and play board games and catch fireflies and make smores and its all AWESOME.
I can't believe how tall Jacek is….it's unreal. I thought I had a few years to enjoy being taller but I don't think it's going to happen….yowzers!
We could always rent again and do that idea you had….if you even remember?
I thought that maybe it wasn't exactly me pouring my heart out….but it made me cry so I thought it would be okay. Thanks Shell.
Ahhh, I wish that was my world. I'd love to be able to take off to a cottage whenever the mood struck us. Some day perhaps.
thank you so much….I tried to make it feel real…it was such an amazing time to be there and see my boys and all their firsts….I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Did I not mention that Aidan is now in a big boy bed due to his freedom at the cottage….oh yeah…he is and we were all exhausted but we had a blast nontheless
Thank you!!
It was such a wonderful 1st vacation…I was nervous I'd be uptight the whole time but I surprised myself. That made all the difference, knowing and letting myself just be. So much fun!
Story teller? Really? Wow, that's a great compliment. I try. I feel I tend to use the same descriptive words….I'm not the sharpest tool in the tool box ya know…ha!
Thank you for stopping in. I'm glad you enjoyed the post. It was strange because I didn't think I was anxious until they were back on land…then I felt exhausted from all the worry.
That's exactly what we want to do with the boys…I never went on vacation when I was a kid…I always envied those that did. I want the boys to have experiences during the summer…and make memories that eventually they will be able to look back on.
Sorry I am just now catching up …But I love these pictures I find a lot of peace in the water especially surrounded by trees …looks fun
That looks so beautiful… and peaceful (as peaceful as a vacation can be with kids!
)