Family Reunion

Natalie decided a few years ago that our whole family needed to be together for a week vacation. Most of us were able to agree and commit and then the Bradys took over Cassopolis. Using Jo's experiences of renting homes for other vacations, Natalie found us a house big enough for everyone near a little lake with a small sandy beach just for us.

On our way.

We left home and as we started driving east decided to keep driving all through the night with the hopes of the boys sleeping in the van. It was almost a good idea. I apparently don't do well driving at night anymore. And Evan decided he would NOT sleep... and he didn't. We arrived in Galesburg 23 hours after we left our house and spent a nice day there before driving for the start of the real vacation.

He received an early birthday present. I don't know if you can tell, but he was SO happy.

And this is why green is one of my favorite colors...

We decided to take the scenic route through Central Illinois & Indiana to get to Michigan rather than the quickest route through Chicago.

It was a great week with plenty of time to relax and explore. Evan bonded with the TV room and enjoyed pulling Natalie around the house. Ryan loved being a "big kid" with his cousins and Scott enjoyed wrapping everyone around his finger and playing with Benny and Emily.

There was this lovely opening between the kitchen and the TV room. Scott wanted to help.

Yep, she shared a bow with him.

We explored the village of Cassopolis. Oliver and I took Evan on several walks through the week. We were able to enjoy the beach and lake for a couple days when it wasn't too chilly or rainy.

It was wonderful.

I love them and their love for us and each other.

Ryan found confidence in rowing, Evan found joy in floating.

The downtown's benches were covered in a variety of butterflies.

We had a scavenger hunt. We found ice cream. It was yummy.

One of the murals found along Main St

Trying to get Scott to make his "ew" face to look like the courthouse's decor.

We found the little ward in nearby Niles, the St. Joseph lighthouse on Lake Michigan, and the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. We played games and enjoyed family. I love my siblings and while we have chosen to live thousands of miles away from most of them, I'm grateful for being related to them and to have had a trip like this with them.

On our scavenger hunt, I found 2 cars with 2 couples.

The lighthouse. And the weird phenomenon of the two shades of blue.

Always curious

He wanted so badly to go in further because his older cousins were crazy and jumping waves.

Painted toes in the cold Lake Michigan sand

Grandparents enjoying their youngest

A view across Stone Lake from the porch

A wonderful traditional Brady image. Sleeping babes on chests.