We raced around Saturday June 30th and got 99.9% of our stuff out of the house (boy, you can sure fit a lot of stuff in a house).  We quickly realized how many hiding spots we hadn’t thoroughly emptied yet, and we were so thankful that Tobin was with Grandma Herbon so we had one less kid to keep track of.  We were also thankful Grandma Hays was visiting and willing to do lots of dirty work and cleaning to help us get out of the house.  Eventually, we piled all of the “boat boxes” on to the boat in big stacks and instantly felt overwhelmed (again!) by all that needs to be done before we leave.  It was about 100* and we were anxious to close one chapter and start another one, so after an hour or so of *attempting* to unpack boxes on the boat, we went for a quick swim, ate a last dinner at the house (with washcloths as plates/napkins because everything was all packed), and hit the road for the 4 hour drive up north to one of our favorite spots, Hubbard Lake.

 

Here we are at Mike’s parents’ house in Hubbard Lake, enjoying our usual 4th of July festivities.  Mike’s great-grandma Herbon helped her kids build this place in 1967, and it has been in the family ever since.  This trip is a little different, though, because until now it has always been called “The Cottage,” but as of Memorial Day, this is Mike’s parents’, Larry and Cheryl Herbon’s, full-time, regular ol’ HOUSE!!  They are so lucky to have such a beautiful spot on the lake to look at every day…there is just something so relaxing about looking out at the water!

 

For quite some time, our family tradition has been to come to Hubbard Lake for the 4th of July holiday with the whole family, and this year is no different.  The gang is all here, and we’re having fun with all the toys, beautiful weather, just enough relaxing, and lots of laughs being together.  There are plenty of outdoor activities to keep the kids occupied (these kids are bug and frog OBSESSED!!) and tire them out by the end of the day.

 

 

Aside from torturing playing with bugs and small creatures, we have been swimming almost constantly because it is HOT here!  This is the hottest week up here I can remember in a long time–hot, humid, and little breeze.  Luckily, the lake feels just about perfect and after 2 days of whining, Tobin finally figured out that “swimming is actually kind of fun.”  (As long as he is still in his life jacket!) Thank goodness!!

 

We had a great 4th of July complete with a boat parade, lots of swimming and floating to stay cool, and group pictures!  We even had cupcakes, made by Grandma and Hayley, to celebrate all the July birthdays in our family.  Unfortunately a thunderstorm moved in right before the bonfire was lit, so there weren’t many fireworks to see, but we had fun playing cards and watching movies anyway!  Maybe the fireworks will be carried over to tonight….??

 

We’ve had such a fun few days with a few still to go, but I keep having the nagging feeling that we have SO MUCH to do before we cast off.  I wonder if we will get it all done in the 11 days before we’re set to leave.  I guess that’s one of the good things about our plan, is that it is more like a framework and the dates are all flexible depending on what comes our way.  If we’re not ready, we won’t leave.  Mike figures he has about 425 days left before he’s due back to work, so I guess we have plenty of time to relax and enjoy what each day brings…

 

A few more pictures of our fun: