Whenever we can, my extended family meets up at our Wisconsin cabin located in a little town called Land O’Lakes.
My mom and stepfather are there every year from June through September, and it’s open to anyone who can make the long trek.
As far as these things go, it’s pretty remote; it’s a six plus hour drive from Chicago, almost five from Minneapolis or Madison, and even if you take an additional commuter plane to the closest regional airport, it’s still a good seventy mile drive away.
As all of my family lives on one coast or another, it’s really quite a yank — and time-consuming and/or costly when we are able to go.
Consequently, some years we grown Kennedy kids and families get up here, some years we don’t.
Sometimes one sibling and their family can make it, sometimes two families, and on lucky years, all three of us kids and their families make it here to spend time with my folks and one another.
And if the stars align, and we’ve planned far enough ahead, we all overlap with the each other. Three generations all together.
And when we do, it’s magic.
Pure and simple.
Happily, this is one of those years.
We arrived from Boston, Palo Alto and Portland, and as always, we were so happy to reconnect.
This year they were eight cousins, five aunts and uncles here (my husband had to stay home to work), and my mom and stepfather, known affectionately as Tootsie and Bubbles.
Days are spent primarily hanging out, and we are almost always doing one of three things.
One. We play lots of games, from the time we get up in the morning until we crash at night.
Lots and lots of games.
Charades, Poker, Black jack, Family, The Name Game, Champions, Go Fish, War, Scattergories, Scrabble, Monopoly.
And the memory game, which the youngsters win every single time. I think it has to do with remaining brain cells, which explains why I am so terrible at it.
Outside, there is football, soccer, and Spud.
Wherever you look, at almost any time of the day, there is a game going on somewhere.
Two, we like to use one of the many forms of transportation at our disposal.
We use them to go out for ice cream, find a new field to play on, or just to get to the other side of the lake.
Some forms of transport are newer models.
Some are older, but perhaps even more fun to toodle around in — especially when you are on the lookout for wildlife at dusk.
But no matter the age of the participant, there is always a form of transportation at the ready.
And three, we like to hang out on the lake.
There are many options here, too.
Kayaks and canoes.
Rowboats and electric boats.
This electric boat is called the party boat and it can fit up to eight of us at one time.
It’s great for cocktails and card games.
And then there is the motor boat.
Tubing with a cousin or a sibling is about the most fun thing in the world.
Especially when you start out slow…
and then end up going for some serious speed.
And sometimes we just sit on the dock on beach chairs just get to close to the lake and marvel at its inky tranquility.
And try to catch the sunsets.
Better yet is when you grab a partner (or six!) and try to catch it all together.
And perhaps for the only time in the year, I don’t think so much about what I’m eating. It’s all simple fare up here; markets are far away and too much time in the cabin kitchen takes you away from all the action.
Wow, looks like an epic storm is brewing, and with it will be my Internet connection.
We celebrated my brother’s birthday Tuesday, and we’re off to celebrate Polly’s tonight.
I think a rum drink awaits. And, if we are very lucky, another spectacular sunset.
Cheers!
Sarah,
It is so nice to see the family all together. Happy birthdays to D and P. I am “home” sick looking at your photos. I may try to squeeze in a quick fall trip, but definitely will not miss next summer. Love to your mom and Fritz.
mwah! Nancy
Nancy, so great to hear from you. Thought of you last night at Dairy Maid– did you hear about Bobby? One year soon we must overlap… Hugs, Sarah.
I don’t think this could look more heavenly! Please adopt me!
Any teacher as talented as you are will always be an honorary member of this gang. Next time you’re in Portland look me up– I will make you dinner!
That, my friend, is a deal!
Oooooooh (whining), this makes me so homesick!!! Did I ever tell you that I spent a decade’s worth of summer vacationss on Washington Island (at the tip of Door County), spent many fall vacations (my parents took us out of school during hunting season) in the Upper Peninsula, and one great summer week at my childhood best friend’s family cottage in Minoqua, WI (just a bit southwest of Land O’Lakes)? It looked just like your family’s. My two great disappointments in the PNW are 1) no snow here (obviously it will never drop below 90 degrees, apparently, ever again) and 2) no lakes, and no lake cottages. There’s just nothing like a lake cottage. I miss them so. Looks like you guys are having the best time ever! So happy for you!
How fun it would be, Alicia, to be up here at the same time with you, frolicking with our kids, hanging out on the electric boat, eating turkey sandwiches and Pringles and looking for loons.
Miss you, can’t wait to see you.
My family gets together each summer at a lake house in Michigan. It’s my favorite time of the year. This year, my wife and I moved to Portland the same weekend as the getaway and we missed it- so sad! There’s nothing better than a week at the lake lounging and taking in the sunsets. Enjoy!
Sarah your pictures are amazing as always. It sounds so idyllic. I’m so happy for Oliver to have such a great family experience, he is truly fortunate. Not all families are close, get along or even care to be together in one another’s company. You and the kids are very, very lucky. Enjoy and safe travels!
Hello, Barbara, thanks so much for the kind thoughts and good wishes. Sometimes all I can think about is ways I could do better…
I always love to hear from you. See you back in our magical little city.
I can feel your joy. We too have a lake getaway though much closer, located between Olympia and Mt Rainier in the hinterlands of Washington on a lake called Clear Lake. It is awesome and it’s part of my youth and now my adulthood and we’re about to spend two weeks there. Thanks for sharing, you’ve primed me.
How lucky you are to have a getaway so close! And two weeks? So wonderful. Send a pic if you think of it– by then I will be home sick for WI and in need of a photo fix.
Thanks for chiming in.
We’re loving this time with all of you at the Lake!
I couldn’t possibly be blessed with a better sister or friend. You make the crazy both sane and enjoyable. XO
Love love love this post! Thanks for sharing the magic, Sarah. Afraid to show my kids because they will be soooo jealous, but I will anyway:-) Enjoy your last 2 days!
Hello Hedi! It’s so beautiful here– and the kids are having the best time being all together.
Hope to see you on my next trip back East!
Sarah, I’m so glad you and the kids were able to make this one of those magic summers and join your family. It looks incredible. Check out the recent post on the NY Times blog about the importance of returning to the same vacation spot on a regular basis. It grounds the children & grown-ups!
Hey Lisa, so good to hear from you! Thanks for the heads up on article– I miss my NYT and will look forward to finding it and reading it upon my return.
Food cart next week?