Living The Moments That Can't Be Put Into Words!: A little TLC

Our vacation was all that I needed and more. We stayed at the "Twin Lake Chalet". It was perfect! The weather was perfect, the cottage was perfect. The memories and laughter were coming from all angles.

Every morning the kids were out in the water swimming by 9 while the parents were still waking up and consumed some......well lots of, coffee. Some parents, I won't mention any names didn't get out of bed till almost 12pm.

Mostly Jeff and Eli were recovering from all their late nights up with each other. Di and I retired early a few nights to read our books and a couple of times from pure exhaustion, but we did try and compete with them and stayed up late a few nights.

There was a game room in the walk out level part of the cottage. Complete with foosball, air hockey, card table, big t.v., and dart board. Of coarse they brought playstation 2 complete with Madden.

Eli and Jeff kept a running tally of how well they did, because if you know Jeff and Eli, they are so competitive with each other ~ bragging rights.

They even competed on how many fish big fish they caught, which was NONE. They both will CLAIM they almost snagged one, but had nothing to show for it. I would definitely give them an A for effort though.

Jeff and I didn't do as well on our euchre streak as well as we have done in the past. I blame Jeff and his alcohol consumption.

The water was great. We had the whole lake and adjoining lake all to ourselves. At most we saw 2 other boats on the water at the same time.

The kids had a blast tubing. I think Ryan enjoyed himself the most. He is crazy and reminds me of my little bro when he was little...FEARLESS. Makenna even tubed with her Auntie, Uncle Jeff, and Daddy. I was a little sad that I didn't get to do that with her, but was great to be able to watch her enjoy it.

Everyday we would take the pontoon boat to the sandbar, the boys would fish, the kids would swim, and Diane and I would work on our tan, talk, read and make sure nobody drowned. Makenna would crash out on the ride to or from the sandbar.

Almost every night before dinner, the kids would fish off the dock for pan fish. There were so many fish. You didn't even need bait and they would jump on the hook. Makenna even caught some all on her own.

Speaking of dinners, the food was fantastic every night. We all contributed, but I think the best meal was the one we all did together. Eli and Jeff marinated the chicken, Diane and I cooked it (while the guys were trying to catch the "big fish") and Diane made this pasta salad that was out of this world. She outdid herself. Diane and I had taken a trip to Houghton Lake earlier that day and bought all the fresh veggies and fruit at a great little homegrown market. Fresh cucumbers and tomatoes with a little salt and pepper, mmmmm.

Diane, Jeff, Eli and I worked as a team the entire week and we all had our little jobs that we did and were in charge of. Mine was to keep everyone in clean clothes. I probably did 3-4 loads a day. There was so much sand and the kids went through so many clothes and towels each day. I think I was even called the laundry Nazi. Diane even made me wash all the rugs in the cottage because they weren't clean enough for her. We all managed work together to keep the children happy, fed, somewhat clean.

The scenery was beautiful. Just sitting on the deck, you get lost in a zone. There was a rainbow that came out in the evening two days in row, when there wasn't even rain. It was beautiful.

The moon at night would literally glow off the water. The stars were magnificent.

My parents were able to come out and enjoy in the fun and arrived on Wednesday. With 11 people you would think that things could get a little sticky, but it was nothing but fun!

See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil ~ The 3 Stooges

My Mom even slowed down enough to enjoy the book I finished earlier in the week.

It was peaceful and calm with no noise at times, except of coarse when you heard lots of laughter or when one of the little ones were a little tired. Erika, Lauren, Olivia, and Ryan shared a room with two bunk beds and Makenna had a room all to herself until Nana and Papa came, then she bunked with Eli and I.

A few nights we had a fire with s'mores for the kids and did sparklers that Uncle Dave bought for the kids. They loved it. The kids enjoyed the rides in the fishing boat and the paddle boat. There was so much to do and there was hardly ever a dull moment!