I’ve got some catching up to do on here! It has felt lately like we’re either living our best lives, out and about in the fun zone, or living our hardest lives, holed up inside as we struggle to recover from whatever version of the plague Isaac has brought home from daycare. Neither state of being leaves much energy for blogging.
But I find myself coming up for breath and going through photos of our early-August trip to Minnesota. Feels like eons ago, yet these snaps bring back all the feelings of anticipation. Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie Tiff, Uncle Jason…we’re coming for you!
Isaac did as well as could be expected on the plane ride. He was busy, but generally in good spirits.
And oh, Juliette’s joy as we sped toward Walker. Denny was waiting for us in the golf cart at the road leading to the resort and as we spotted him on the horizon, Juliette scrambled to unbuckle her seat belt, flying out of the car to wrap her arms around him the second we rolled to a stop.
We quickly settled into our camper, grateful for the well-stocked fridge and the basket full of toys and the cozy spot on Grandpa’s lap. Those Schnells really know how to roll out the welcome mat.
We ate pizza and then wandered down to the lake, where Juliette tried her hand at fishing while Shane chased Isaac. It always felt like that boy was about a step and a half from tumbling into the water.
Got one! Hardly a keeper, but still a thrill.
Do you see why this place is called Moonlight Bay?
Tuesday morning was rainy, so we cozied in at our screened-in porch for Tiff’s breakfast casserole and a round of board games.
A break in the clouds! Isaac was ready to run.
We went into town for late-morning coffee and got the scoop on the latest additions to bustling downtown Walker. I made a mental note to come back later in the week to survey the new doughnut shop.
Naptime with Buddy…always a vacation highlight.
The sun came out in the afternoon and we bopped around the resort, golf carting and boating and rolling Tonka trucks around Grandma and Grandpa’s porch.
Isaac didn’t join us on our quick cruise around the lake, but he was ready and waiting to board the boat (and maybe swim some laps?) when we docked.
A boy and his owl…
I can hardly put into words how stinking happy Denny was with his grandkids tucked in next to him as he cruised around the campground. Lucky gramps. Lucky kids.
Wednesday! A morning walk to check on Grandpa’s boat…
Toad-sighting…
Butterfly-sighting…
Shane, of course, had scoped out the pickle ball courts in town and we headed there before lunchtime to check out the scene and cool our heels.
A kind couple saw Shane and Juliette doing their drills and asked if they wanted to play a match. Juliette’s first grown-up game! She crushed it.
They make such a good team.
Pool time…
A post-nap plea of, Outside? Outside? Outside?
And then, pontoon time! My very favorite time. Tiff and Jason took us out on their new rig and we leaned in hard to lake life.
Cold drinks in beer cozies and Taylor Swift piping through the speakers and the wind in our hair…it was just all so good.
(Juliette was really feeling the lyrics to I Can See You. It’s a bop.)
Denny and Pat cruised alongside us in their own boat and Isaac waved and shouted, “Hi PawPaw!” every 15 seconds.
More pontoon dance partying…
We anchored at a sweet little beach and got out to play and swim.
The kids fed each other grapes and pretzel sticks as we zipped back toward home and they were both just so giddy, laughing like crazy over the silliest things. An afternoon on the water will do that to you, I guess.
I mean…
Tiff fed us all again on the porch that evening and the kids played until they could play no more.
Isaac fell asleep within seconds of being tucked into his Pack N Play and then Juliette and Shane stayed up late chatting in Juliette’s little sleeping loft while I drifted off myself, buzzing from a day rich with sunshine and smiles.