Labor Day at the Cottage

For Labor Day Weekend this year, we spent another weekend at the cottage...the last of the summer.  It was a weekend full of fun, family and (unfortunately) fear...

The weekend started on Thursday night after a day of work and a very busy week.  We headed out as quickly as possible and made pretty good time hitting very little traffic and enjoying two sleepy and well-behaved little travelers.

I let Avery burn off some energy at the Oasis play area while we waited for Asher to get a night time diapers and jammies on.  It makes me cringe to think about all the germs on these, but I knew he would sleep better if I gave him the chance to play a bit, and I was right...I did sterilize every part of exposed skin with wipes before putting him back into his carseat though!

On Friday morning we got to meet the newest member of the family...and our first niece/girl cousin on either side: Olive!!  She is adorable, and Asher was so excited to hold her!

The remainder of the morning was spent playing outside and trying our best to keep Molly (our doggy-niece) away from Asher.  Although we have seen Molly several times since Asher was born, on this trip he decided that he is afraid terrified of her.  He would scream and cry if she got anywhere near him, trembling with fear.  He didn't even want her in the same room as him and would start to freak out if she even looked at him.  Although, we had a good weekend at the cottage, this definitely put a damper on it for everyone, as it made it difficult to do anything and added quite a bit of stress to a fun, family weekend. :(

Gramps with his grandsons.

Avery, King of the World

Eric introduced Emmett & Asher to the pontoons' on-board "pool" (aka fish storage)

Avery insisted on driving the boat.

In the afternoon, Eric's cousin Jen and her family joined us so that she could take our family pictures and Avery's 1 year pictures.  When the shoot was over, all the boys enjoyed more playtime before bed.

Eric, Asher, Jamerson, Gramps & Emmett trying out the new "bath tub" outside...Asher wanted to take a "bath" before bed every night after this!

Saturday was another mostly low-key day of fun.  Avery had his photo-shoot with Eric and I, but Asher got to play the day away.  As soon as the photo-shoot was wrapping up, it started to rain and continued to rain for several hours.  Eric and I took advantage of the opportunity and after giving the boys lunch and putting them down for naps we headed to the local theater and enjoyed an afternoon matinee together (Jurassic World).  It was so nice to have a little kid-free time together, and the popcorn that day was AMAZING!  ;)

After we got back from the movie and the day brightened up again, we enjoyed more family fun and went on a boat ride to get ice cream, since I'd promised Asher some if he cooperated for pictures the day before.

Asher and Emmett enjoying their ice cream together.

Eric decided to get his boat back in the water this weekend, but it needed some TLC before it could go in.

"Bath Time" before bed.

Sunday was our last full day at the cottage and we did a lot more of the same ole stuff...playing outside!  The day before Eric bought Asher his own fishing pole (at Meijer of course) and then this morning they attempting fishing together.  Much to Daddy's dismay though, Asher still does not have the patience for fishing and also has no desire to touch a fish.

Cool a fishy.

No, I do not want to touch it.

Emmett & Dave ready to fish too!

Later that morning, Avery was having a good time playing with his left-over balloons from his 1 year photo-shoot, so I grabbed the camera and shot some pics of our adorable little ham.

This probably doesn't look like a "keeper" photo to most, but it makes me smile as it is a very common face that Avery makes when he is really proud of himself or excited by something (think "Ooooooo!!!!")

Meanwhile, Asher waited patiently to put Daddy's boat into the water...

Eric & Asher taking the boat (what was first Eric's grandpa's boat, then his mom's boat and now his) for the first time in a decade!

Emmett waiting to be picked up for a ride as well.

Grandpa Smiley's Grandson and Great Grandsons.

When the fun of the morning was over, Eric and I both enjoyed a little rest...

...and then it was time to entertain the kids some more before our last summer weekend came to an end.

Avery & I enjoying Grandma's awesome banana zucchini bread.

This picture makes me laugh...its like Avery and I are almost making the same goofy face.

After nap time snuggles with Daddy

Avery's first tractor ride.  He was SOOOOO excited that he finally got to go...every time he'd see them go before this he would pitch a fit that he wasn't with them!

On Sunday evening, before the kiddos went to bed we took advantage of their good moods and got our 2015 cousins photo. :)

Gramps wanted to get a pic with his little grandkids too!

Seriously, could this have turned out any better with 4 kids under the age of 4?

After the cousins pictures, we had a little more fun outside capturing photos of our sweet niece and sitting around the campfire with some delicious and gooey s'mores...a perfect way to end the summer!

The outfit that Olive is wearing in these pictures is actually the outfit that I bought to bring Asher home from the hospital, if he had been a girl.  Since the outfit was of no use to me, I passed it on to the sweetest baby girl I know...and she looked adorable in it!

Olive getting to know her silly uncle Eric.

Avery is no longer the youngest...meeting his baby cousin and future partner in crime.

Giggles with Daddy

Not even two months old and already pursing her lips!  :)

Asher & Emmett collecting sticks for the fire.

S'more time!

One of the many reasons I married into the perfect family for me...Eric's mom's love for s'mores rivals my own! :)

Mmm

Mmm

Good

After loading us all up with sugar, we headed off to bed, but after three full days of playing, falling asleep was not a problem for anyone.  Before Eric headed off to bed though, he took advantage of the beautiful evening sky and got a few photos.

On Monday, it was Labor Day and time to head home.  Before doing so though, we did enjoy a bit more fun outside on the Lake.  Eric got in his waterskiing for the summer, Asher enjoyed tubing for the first time,  Eric, Asher and I enjoyed our first jet-skiing adventure together to the petting farm together, and finally the four of us all enjoyed a quick family trip out on Eric's boat.

Eric & I ten years prior...the last time the boat made it into the water.

When all of the lake fun was over, it was time to pack up and drive home.  The return trip went pretty well.  Avery was asleep before we even left the driveway, and although both boys only slept about half the way home, they were (thankfully) both very well-behaved, helping to hold on to this momma's sanity!