behr trax: Family Time at Green Lake 2013

We've been home almost a week from one of my most anticipated trips all year. I can't believe it has come and gone already! Like my childhood memories of tubing behind the boat, Green Lake Vacation 2013 started off slow, yielded lots of new adventures, and then whipped by in record time minus the sore fingers or water up the nose, thankfully.

This year, our family rented a cottage closer to our original summer homestead. We love the northwest side of the lake - we understand the wave patterns, we can enjoy the sunrises and sunsets, the water level is perfect for jumping and diving off the dock, and the morning walks have the familiar waves from neighbors.
Despite the sense of belonging, we've come to realize that vacation on Green Lake changes yearly now that little ones are in tow. Our walks are timed between breakfast and nap, boat rides are at a much slower pace not only for the tikes, but also for the pregnant bellies on board, and it's a bit more difficult to enjoy late-night campfires or impromptu wake-boarding sessions. Not to mention, fireworks by boat are out of the picture for at least another year. That being said, we truly enjoyed having so many extra hands to help play with, feed, and hug Max. He loved playing with his cousin, Canaan, and all of his aunties and uncles. Max wasn't as excited to jump into the water this year. I'm not sure if that was because it was a bit colder than last summer or if he had gained a healthy dose of fear. We did find a great spot for the kiddos in Norwegian Bay. We were able to walk there from the house and jump from the boardwalk right into mid-calf-high water that was warm and sandy. Once Max realized the water was so shallow, his smile barely left his face.

I sorely miss the ability to run and jump off the dock, go wake boarding, and take boat rides that porpoise across the waves. Next summer, after our newest little one is born, I'll be ready for another vacation at the Lake and can hopefully take part in some of the more adventurous activities. Until then, I will continue to re-live our memories of sun bouncing off the water, cool dips in the lake between activities, and glorious dock-side sunsets of Green Lake 2013.