Thankful for the Cottage

It has been just about 6 years since we decided to buy the cottage and I really can't think of a better leap of faith that we have taken.  We have been so blessed by the neighbors that we moved in next to and those that we have gained over the years.  I always dreamed of having a cottage and having a place where the kids would want to return to once they had grown.  There have been so many memories made there over the years.  What started out as mostly just a family escape has turned into a place to make memories with many of our friends.  There really is nothing better than to hear your childhood best friend's daughter say that her favorite memories are made at your summer cottage.  We have worked hard to make it a place where people could come to escape the fast paced world and feel comfortable.  We added on a polebarn across the street a few years ago that has a bunk area that will sleep 8, yet another great leap we took in spending some extra money to get a great return in memories.

This weekend we finally had a day that we had time to go up to there.  We hadn't been back since late last fall.  We normally make at least one trip in the winter but with both boys playing hockey it seemed to be impossible to find a free weekend.

One of the great improvements in the last couple years has been the reopening of the lake store.  We frequent there at least once a weekend in the summer to get ice cream.  This weekend was our first scoop of the season.  You can tell that Ryder sure enjoyed it!

Brody has gotten to the age where he can now drive us around on the green machine.  It is kind of funny to ride along with him and see how serious he takes it.  He hasn't figured out how to slowly accelerate yet, so we normally take off real fast and he is very tense trying to keep us safe.  Even Addisen got a try at driving this weekend.

Brody is our animal guy.  I really think a Zoo Keeper would be a great profession for him.  All animals love him.  It was no different this weekend as we came across two turtles on our ride.  Brody quickly stopped and picked them up to carry them to safety.  Ryder and Addisen aren't too sure about touching them, but they like to get pictures!

This weekend is the last of my 30s.  I'm trying to convince myself that you are only as old as you allow yourself to be.  This isn't a big deal.  But I'm always reminded of how quickly these kids are growing and how fast the next stages of life seem to be coming.  This birthday I am just wishing for the ability to slow down and appreciate each of these days with the kids and find joy in my days and not so much anxiety about what is to come.  Here is to the next decade being better than the last!