Family Vaca

Once a year, we head over the mountains to Eastern WA where they have a "real summer" and a beautiful lake. I'm so happy to give Abigail this place to come back to each year and make memories with her. Brooklyn too, of course, but now that Abby is 3.5, she's really soaking up all that Lake Chelan has to offer.

And to be honest, I freakin' needed vacation like woah. Lately, I've been living life like normal, you know just working full time, taking care of 2 kids, a husband, a cat, a 2nd job/hobby, playing in a kickball league, making time for girlfriends and family, and handling after-hours work events. Ho-hum...that's life.

For some reason I had no idea why my right eye had started twitching over the past couple months. Could it be stress? Neh. Not like my life's very stressful at all. Denial.

So, once we got out on the road, with each mile marker, my shoulders dropped down about 1cm. By the time we made it to our condo on the lake, my eye had stopped twitching, I was smiling & my shoulders were down around my waste. It was a bit odd looking, but nonetheless, I was relaxed :)

We spent one glorious week at the lake. We didn't do anything crazy or over the top. It's not an exotic vacation full of swimming with dolphins and maneuvering foreign airports, but it's exactly what our family needs once/year. A week off from work, from thinking, from worrying, from life's obligations. I don't think I used my brain in an analytical sense for the full week. It was amazing!

Not to mention, quality family time does wonders for the soul. I bonded on a deeper level with both girls. I got to know them better. Which always seems to surprise me since I spend time with my girls each evening & every weekend. Still, something about nonstop time with them for a week I see these little glimpses into their minds/thoughts/dreams and I get to know them that much better.

Brooklyn talks WAY more than I gave her credit for. I really noticed how much she can say and communicate over the week. Also, she now can very clearly say "I love you" and "I want ___" which are her first phrases. She also says "meat" cause girl loves her some protein. She may very well be the first female linebacker ;) I really freaking love that little girl and every single aspect of her personality.

Abigail and I had countless precious moments last week. We walked on the dock each evening together and found a special crack in a plank of wood & dubbed that our special spot. We sat in the dark and watched the stars and spoke of her wishes. She wished for a white boat with purple seats with flowers on it. Then she wished for 2 of those, then of course she wished for water to put them in, and finally, on our last night at the lake she wished we could live there.

Abby also went beach combing for driftwood and selected several pieces of wood, then while we were cooking dinner she created a train out of the wood without anyone's help. She showed me how she'd made me this train. she told me about each piece of it. How the small pieces of wood were seats, which one was the conductor's seat, the longer pieces along the side were the rails that turn the wheels on the train, and the pinecone was the smoke stack. I think my heart actually went into my stomach. And the only reason I didn't cry is because I was so dehydrated from so many days in the sun. Because for real. So freakin cute, smart, sweet, thought out....UGH! When did my baby get so smart!? So creative? So imaginative???

We had some family stay with us for a few days, they left, then friends came & stayed with us. I could sit here & write a 10 page blog about it all, but I just wanted to make a point to share the special moments I had with my girls and how important it is to always do a vacation at least once a year, especially for our busy family. My eye is not twitching & I'm trying hard to keep it that way at least until holiday season :)

Here's some of my fave pics from our trip. Enjoy!

<3 meg="" p="">