Van Buren Bay 2014

One of the highlights of our trip was the two weeks we spent at Van Buren Bay, a place we have visited many times in the past. On the way there we were able to stop in Pennsylvania for lunch with my Uncle Tom, Aunt Nikki, and cousin Meredith and her family visiting from Arizona. It was serendipity at it's finest, with us connecting just the day before on facebook and realizing we were headed right by them on a day when they would all be gathered together. My kids loved seeing their cousins.

And I loved seeing these lovely people, who all have such a warmth to them.

We were so happy to arrive at Van Buren. The evening of our first day there looked like this, with family gathered on the patio after a good dinner watching the amazing sunset.

The boys paddled out after dinner. It was like a dream, it was so beautiful.

The lake is so moody. Sometimes it looks like this, also stunning.


We spent many hours gathered on the beach, playing games and relaxing.

And on the patio.


The cousins spent days on end playing out on these two rafts, and the sailboat was taken out quite a few times.

The annual tea party on the beach.


Evenings playing and fiddling and digging on the beach.

We had a night of Gin Rummy in memory of my Grandma and the many nights it had been played in this living room before.

July Fourth brought many festivities, starting with the kids' bike parade.

It was a blessing to be able to spend some time with my Grandma. She is quite a few years in to her Alzheimer diagnosis. It has been hard. I also got to meet my cousin's  adorable new baby.

We spent a fun day at the nearby little vintage amusement park. It was like heaven for Ben, with airplanes and helicopters and cars and trains he could ride all by himself.

Turns out Ben is a bit of a daredevil and even had a great time on the Tilt-A-Whirl.

This year the cousins just had a really wonderful time playing together. Maya and Ben in particular had a special bond.

There were lots of good times together. Cousins are the best.

But the nicest thing is spending time with my family. My sister was with us for part of the time and I loved seeing her.

The amazing women whose hard work make our special summer memories possible, my Mom and her sister Lynn. They own the home where we stay and generously invite us there and make us feel so welcome. They spent their childhood summers on these same beaches as their grandchildren do now. It's a beautiful thing. Thank you!!!