For years my family has gone to cottages as our summer vacation.

The last time we went was 9 years ago.

My brothers and I decided to beg ask our parents if we could do it again.

Restart the tradition now that we have families to share.

They jumped on it.

So my parents secured two cottages for 11 people and one fetus (not me, people).

We all arrived on Saturday.

Cort had to leave Sunday night, but the boys and I stayed until Tuesday evening.

It was exhausting.

And fun.

And so many words filled my head and sprang from my fingers into journals for later.

It was wonderful.

Here is a glimpse of what I hope will become an annual trip…

the cottage

games {my brother, Chris and my dad}

a quiet afternoon with my buddy and a Word Doc.

hanging with grandma

Cort makes breakfast for everyone

cousins: Jack and Eddie

small chairs are small

note: a dropped dr. pepper can will explode, but helpful Eddie will wash it off the cottage.

cottages are for relaxing

walk on the dock with daddy.

hot weather makes us stinky, but happy

bath in the kitchen sink

beach day!

campfire food on the hottest day ever

so much swimming!

getting some much needed relaxation

books with grandma

ahhh. cottage life.

Next year we hope to stay the whole week.

With Cortney there the whole time too.

Because despite the heat, humidity, dirt, and lack of TV and internet, it was EXACTLY what we needed.

Thanks, mom and dad, for making this happen.

The cottage is Sluiter Approved!

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If you missed it yesterday, I am helping my friend Mark get his story out there.  It’s important to me because it’s HUGE to him.