Vacation at the Cottage

About two weeks ago our best friends' parents (Nancy & Joe) called us and offered their summer rental on Lake Tippy to us for an entire week. It was very last minute...but Mike and I were thrilled (to say the least) and did some rearranging of schedules to make 4 days at the lake happen. We also scrambled to invite all our best friends to share this with us. And wouldn't you know it...everyone rallied and was able to join us!

Saturday we had 4 families at Buttercup cottage. Sunday three. And Monday just two. The Falciones, Fellers, Morses and Mike's dad & step-mom were our guests and we couldn't have been more happy! The cottage slept all of us comfortably and had all the amenities we could ask for (and then some!).

My absolute favorite part of the entire weekend was what I call "communal parenting." All the moms and dads were chipping in to help kids not their own to potty, color, swim, eat, change, etc. I come from a very small familly and Mike is an only child...so we never get the opportunity to be around other people our age with same-age children. I thrived in this environment because it made my heart full to see all my best friends co-parent all the kiddos. It's hard to put it into words, but I was just beside myself with the family we have chosen: our friends.

Here is a pic of the beautiful Buttercup:Mike swimming with his girls

Jason & Ricky
Izzy playing...I just loved the light in this pic
Jer teaching Jaim how to fish

Jaim, Jacob & Luke

Katie & Christopher

Rick, Chris, Sandi, Ellana, Delaney, Jason & Ben

Izzy on the turtle hunt

Buggy on the hunt

Best buds

Luke attempting a jump

Sandi & Ben

Izzy swimming...she was quite the fish!

Bug loved it, too!

Ben was brave and went tubing!!!

Sissies!!!

Iz jumping to her grandpa

Water balloons!

Grandma had play-dough fun for the kids!

Jason pulled the bigs around on the rafts and they loved it!

Ellana, Ben and Iz being silly

Laney helping drive the boat

Izzy helping drive

Serene waters

Thank you SO much, Tynans, for allowing us all to get some much needed R&R and FUN. Your generosity does not go unnoticed and we love you for your continued thoughtfulness!