Cottaging.

Last night, Geoff and the kids and I got back from about nine days at my parents' cottage...for sure the longest amount of time I'd ever spent there.  All but one day of that time was spent with other family members or friends, and we had a great time with them all.

Here are some photos that highlight a few of our many good times these past days.

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A view of the cottage from the lake...and a view of the lake from the cottage.

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Cousins.

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My three are in the middle.

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Boating.

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Yummm!!  Delicious smores...from the oven (there was a ban on open fires because of the hot dry weather and the forest fire risk that comes with that).  One of the friends that came out for a number of days brought a recipe book of smores so we all got to sample!

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Left - Geoff.

Right - All lined up in a row!  During the heat of the day one day, the kids watched a movie.

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Matthew enjoying a philosophical chat with a dear friend...nothing like a hammock to cultivate discussion!

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I'm not sure why Lizzie is looking a little glum here, but aren't they just beautiful??

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One friend knew how to face paint...

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Matthew learned how to play chess with a friend and engaged in a number of duels...he loved it and is now begging for a chess board of his own!

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Geoff with Matthew.

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Some deer crossing from the island to the mainland...they eventually had to swim the rest of the way across.

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It was a good thing we had a long table for all thirteen of us to sit at!

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Me and my middle kid.  I didn't wear any makeup for the entire time we were away so I can see now how nondescript my eyes look without makeup!!  Oh well...it was a nice break for my skin.

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On the last day with our friends, we all went to a restaurant for lunch...it was my first time away from the cottage in nine days!

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First thing one morning, reading superhero stories.

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A real highlight of the time at the cottage was how much all of the kids loved the water.  On one day, a few of the adults and most of the kids swam to the island across the bay, accompanied by adults in boats (in case of tiring swimmers!).  You can see the treed island in the middle of the picture.  Years ago we named the island Treasure Island and the kids loved exploring it!  Here they all are just after departing from the dock. 

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Arriving at the island.

I have a lot of pictures of kids jumping into the water, from the deck and from the water trampoline.  I have more pictures of Matthew's jumps than the other kids', primarily because he kept acting up for the camera!  It was great to see them loving the water so much...I have three little fish in our family.

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Seth.

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Lizzie was totally into the water, too.  In the last few days she didn't even need an adult to jump towards...she would just hurl her little self into the water and swim back to the ladder...and start all over again.

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And then there was Matthew.  I seriously have about seventy-five pictures of him doing leaps into the air/water.  Well, I used to have that many - I deleted a bunch. But here are a few that show his love of the water.

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And one final shot of Geoff and Matthew that I loved!

All in all, it was a lovely time away, and full of fun times for kids and adults alike.  I hope it happens again.