The Lake Life

For the last 12 years we've made the summer trip to South Dakota to visit Jarin's family. His grandfather owns a cabin where they all grew up playing, running, and swimming. Not many years have we missed other than maybe to have a baby, but this summer I didn't see any possibility in us going. With Jarin in Shanghai, us in the midst of a move around the world, a one-year-old who does not sit still, and a 9 hour drive in front of me-- no way! But, just like their dad begged his mom, the kids poked and pried at me until convincing me to make the journey. So, off we went in our rented minivan!

We made a few stops along the way, and I must say that whoever thought to put playgrounds at rest stops, is a genius!

We arrived and without a second wasted Cade had trunks on and was jumping off the dock! They spent the next 4 days playing so hard, riding Big Mable, trying out the jet ski, hanging with cousins, spending time with great-grandpa Ron, baking with Nana, getting competitive with marbles, and swimming in the lake.

 

As you can imagine, daddy was heartbroken that he couldn't be there, but I made sure to capture this sweet photo of great-grandpa and Cade talking to Jarin on Skype one evening. It was really neat to see Grandpa's eyes light up!

 

We had a wonderful week, filled with great memories, and surely a trip we'll never regret making. We look forward to summer 2016 when we can return to Pickerel! All our love Brandly family!