Cottage 2012

Love hanging with my sister

Almost the whole Jongsma family

Careful, the pregnant lady might bust the tube

S'mores over the grill b/c of the campfire ban

They still taste good

Taking the ferry to Slacks

Chuckles the Beaver at the Tommy Bartlett Show, not sure what he has to do with the show

One of the waterski acts

Caleb learning to kayak, he only ran into one pier

Caleb and Isaac loved tubing

The famous fingers dance move

Jumping off the back of Aunt Beth's pontoon boat

Going for a cruise around the lake

Aren't they cute?

Surprise baby shower

The kids and I spent the week of July 7-13 at the cottage.  Nate was supposed to go for the first part, but ended up having to work.  That was disappointing.  My parents and sister spent the week with us along with my grandparents and cousin, Becky.  Almost the whole Jongsma family gathered for a 50 year celebration of the cottage.  It's hard to believe that is how long it has been in the family!  It was great to catch up with family members we don't see often and share memories of time spent at the cottage.  We all had fun with the big group, but it was nice when everyone left and the cottage was not so full!

During our week at the cottage we went to the Tommy Bartlett show.  It's in the Wisconsin Dells and is a water, sky and stage show.  I am always impressed by the waterskiing tricks.  The boys liked the super fast trick boats.  And we watched a stuntman almost fall 65 feet, it was awful.  He was on a rotating wheel 65 feet off the ground and tried jumping rope.  He tripped on the rope.  He recovered although you could tell he was shaken up.  He then put on a blindfold and tripped again.  I thought I was going to throw up watching it.  I kept thinking, my kids are going to watch someone fall to their death and be traumatized  for life.  Thankfully that didn't happen! 

We also went to Slacks which is really not that exciting, but it's a tradition.  We ride on the ferry and the kids can pick out some candy.  I also buy the awesome apple butter.  The boys picked up tubing this year.  I love seeing them get excited about water sports.  I almost convinced Caleb to try waterskiing, maybe next year! The kids kept asking, "why can't we live next to the cottage?"  I too wish it wasn't a 6 hour drive away.

After we got home, my sister threw me a surprise baby shower!  I am really impressed no one let the secret out.  It was a nice group of family and friends.  It was thoughtful of Steph to set up a low-key, celebratory shower.  Since this is our 4th child, we don't need a lot of gifts.  But, it was fun to get diapers and little things to celebrate this baby.  He is a miracle and I appreciated the opportunity to celebrate that, so thanks Steph!