Green Lake 2010!

Last weekend we hit the open road once again, for a short trip to Green Lake, Wisconsin.

Our friends, Abby and Jeff, invited Erica, Craig, Jason and me to Abby's parent's amazing lake home for the weekend. Craig said it best when he walked in to the amazingly bright space with huge floor to ceiling doors expanding the wall, over looking the lake, and asked, "Aren't lake homes supposed to have wood paneling?!" There was no wood panelling to be found at this lake home; it was beautiful from top to bottom; corner to corner!

The home was also perfect for the kids. Marin was in her glory, having two boys at her disposal. Kai and CJ are 9 and 10 months respectively, and Marin loved giving them hugs, playing with their toys, and trying to teach Kai how to each a banana (read: she shoved it in his face). The whole main floor was a big open space; perfect for Marin to run around and allow us to keep an eye on her at the same time. Daredevil that she is wanted to walk down every single stair on her own down to the water, and did not want to hold my hand on the dock. Wouldn't you know that she walked right up to the very edge of the dock and pointed to the water and the rocks below as if she were staring at a bed of feathers with a helmet and a safety net. I know I have said it before, but it continues to become clearer and clearer- that girl is truly fearless!

The fresh air must have been good for Marin, Kai and CJ, because they all went to bed without even a moments fuss. And then the six of us parents made a delicious dinner together, popped the cork on a few bottles of wine, and laughed for hours. After dinner, Jason flexed his Eagle Scout skills and we sat around a roaring outdoor fire with the moon and the stars as a backdrop, and listened to the water hit the rocky shore. Erica and I agreed there is little that is more relaxing. Of course, with the banter between boys, two of whom were roommates, the conversation wasn't exactly zen-like, but that was probably most of the reason why we laughed so hard. We commented a few times that the neighbors must have wondered what the commotion was all about. Six grown adults, a cooler full of beer and a baby monitor by a fire... and the words "fart" and "wood" were said more times than I could keep track... now there's the start of a good joke! But hey, we're parents, they are the worst words we can get away with these days- even after the kids are asleep.

The next morning we all made an enormous breakfast-- homemade coffee cake, cinnamon rolls, eggs, pancakes, fruit, bacon, english muffins... our eyes were definitely bigger than our stomachs. Except that I still managed to sample almost everything. Delicious! Who doesn't love a big breakfast?! Marin was thrilled to have the chance to play with CJ and Kai again the next day, and delighted that the occasion supplied pancakes! Jason threw his fishing pole in the water, but proved his fire-making skills to be sharper than his fishing skills.

Abby, Erica and I marveled at the fact that our children will be in the same class someday. That we'll all sit teary-eyed at the same graduations. And afterward, I'll undoubtedly tell the story about the time that Marin gave CJ a bear hug that nearly knocked him over, or when she gave Kai a kiss with her yogurt mouth. They're all sure to roll their eyes and dodge me for the rest of the day. But it's okay. After all, is there really anything better than having the opportunity to make these memories with our children? I say, if there weren't stories to tell for them to roll their eyes at later in life, then maybe we haven't let them run around naked enough.

Thanks Abby and Jeff! We'll be back... as long as it's okay with your neighbors! :)

(Note: All the "good pictures" are Erica's :))