{ Cousin Crew }
Our first family trip to Lake Chelan was on my eighth birthday with extended family camping in the sites right next to us. For many years we crammed into a tent trailer with Dad's old blue panel truck making the haul over the pass. Grandpa and Grandma Van Dyken had a motor home that resembled a space ship but had a guaranteed stash of hot chocolate for us kids.
Years have passed, kids have grown, some years missed due to teenage jobs and school responsibilities, and a couple even missed because that's how life is. The park remains the same; traditions still in place even though many have left us making huge gaps in the memories.
I think the hardest part of this year was having to board our puppy. She was certainly missed.
{ Camp life. }
{ Lakeside }
Most days were spent watching Uncle Jason teach Charlie how to properly cannon ball or the kids keeping busy in the massive sandbox. Myriam was consistently in the water on average 4-5 hours a day with myself taking advantage of any floating time with those willing to relax on the lake. The parents sat and read books with all the kids snacking most of the day long.
We were blessed to use our friends' boat this year and double blessed when our friend Bruce took us up the lake tubing, rock jumping and finding a hidden rope swing that brought great entertainment. You could hear Myriam giggling from the shoreline as she was being pulled behind the boat!
The entire family - Uncle Mark, Aunt Cheryl and boys Trent, Chad and girlfriend Kirsten (now known as Christmas), Mom & Dad, Uncle Jason, Auntie Lindsay and kids Talan & Ashlyn along with all six of our tribe - we're treated to the waterslides as well for an entire day of floating down the lazy river and managing to get Papa & Nana on slides too!
{ Being lazy together. }
{ Trent, Charlie & Chad cruising in the tube. }
{ It always feels much higher than it really is. . . }
{ From zero to one hundred . . . Bruce turned our ride from calm to crazy in seconds! }
{ Charlie's first rope swing. }
{ Splurging with sweet treats. }
{ I hate that kids grow up but I'm loving growing up together with this one. }
{ It's a sassy kind of bench warmers. }
{ Reunited. }
It's always welcomed to leave on vacation, but there is something sweet about coming home.
The wash machine hasn't stopped running since we got home and planning for next week begun with the fridge restocked and ready for whatever comes our way.
Summer, you've been really good to us so far!
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