The Lake, 2012 Edition

There is something about the places that hold the best childhood memories. The great recollections never seem to fade - and neither do the feelings associated with the place. Whenever we pull up to a stop at the lake, I swear I get the same feeling that I did twenty-two years ago when we climbed out of the car and raced to get the first view of the lake. Maybe it's the fresh mountain air. Or the incredible view of the dock, framed by the hanging flowers, the hammock trees, and the teepee that has stood since my childhood. It might just be the peaceful feeling of no agenda or deadlines or to do lists. Whatever the reason for the feeling, it is one I cherish with each passing year.

The thing that makes it all so much sweeter is watching my little girl create the same memories and feelings associated with the lake. This reality sure helps during the moments of nap struggles, parenting issues, nursing schedules, and early mornings that are part of the new lake memories these past few years. Time at the lake may not be quite as carefree as the years gone by, but there are wonderful moments of relaxation still. And more importantly, there are tons and tons of new memories being made. These ones are even better because they'll be shared with our kids - and there's nothing better than watching your little girl fall in love with the place you have loved since childhood.

All of this is quite the preface to say that we just got back from the lake. We spent nine days together as a family (the whole Vaughn clan) at Priest. And our group keeps growing! All family members were present - including Ethan's girlfriend Micheal (Ann), making for ten adults, two toddlers and two babies. We rented an additional cabin to fit the fourteen of us and packed both spaces to the brim.

I am sure I sound like a broken record when it comes to lake reflections throughout the years, but I'll say it again. I just love the lake. And I love my family. Nine days is a long stretch of time - but it still seemed to fly by. We packed a lot into the days, but had a fair amount of nothingness as well. Here was our time together in (a lot of) pictures...

We experienced two crazy storms during our stay - this one the first night!

Grammy painted the fingers and toes of both Clara and Everett!

Sweet Harper, my three month old niece

My dad found a huckleberry picking companion in Clara

I LOVE the sitting (and not yet moving) stage

She couldn't get enough of jumping off the dock

I love these two shots - you can definitely tell they're siblings!

Making sandcastles was a definite Clara highlight

Third annual Ethan & Trav vs. Jono & Dev - E&T win again!

Outdoor movie night with the projector & citronella candles ;)

Being thrown by daddy was another highlight for C

Oh yes, and any activity with Michael

Minnow catching with Aunt Leah

Ladies walk to breakfast at Hill's

Little campfire & s'mores

Our little slice of paradise

The boy cousins

Family shot

Annual boys rock jump

Grammy braided Clara's hair - I love this

Somebody loves his auntie!

I just counted forty-five pictures in all. Pretty ridiculous, really! But what a wonderful week it was :).

Nine

On July 5th we celebrated nine years of marriage. It's crazy, I know. I reflected on it last year and the year before and I mentioned it, at least, the year before that. So for the sake of documentation, which has kind of become the purpose of this blog, I must mention we had an anniversary. Another year to  stop and be thankful for this man I love and nine sweet, wild, crazy years.

Getting married on the 5th of July was great. We had some pretty cool fireworks on the eve of our wedding, we ran through a line of sparklers before jumping in our getaway car, and the weather was lovely. But let me tell you, celebrating an anniversary right in the middle of summer - during a holiday weekend - is not ideal. It is a time for BBQs and families and the lake. All things I love. But it is not the best time to steal away for some quite one on one time.

And so it just didn't happen for us this year. Our first pre-Montana anniversary dinner plans were cancelled when Clara came down with the flu. And we had a little babysitter miss-hap for our second dinner attempt. On our actual day, while in Montana, we stole away for fourteen minutes (literally) and drove to a camp store for diet cokes on the deck overlooking Two Medicine Lake before I rushed off to a bachelorette party that evening.

We may go out on a hot date in August. Or September. Or just forget it and anticipate a really wonderful TENTH anniversary, which is now quickly approaching ;).

Celebration or not, I am thankful for nine years married to my love. This was probably one of our most challenging and most joyous (if that is simultaneously possible?!) of the nine. I can't wait to see all that lies in store in the coming years!

Andrea & Parker's Wedding

This weekend our family of four traveled to the great state of Montana - one of the most gorgeous spots on earth, I think - to celebrate the wedding of one of my dearest friends on earth. On Saturday Andrea married Parker in one of the most beautiful ceremonies I've ever witnessed. I can't believe that almost eleven years ago I met Andrea as freshman on the Whitworth volleyball team. Little did I know then that a lifelong friend and kindred spirit from teeny tiny Cut Bank, Montana (boasting a large penguin with a sign "coldest spot in the nation") would enter my life at that moment. We have been through the best of times and worst of times together and I couldn't be more thrilled that she has married the man of her dreams! I'm so blessed that we got to be a part of her special day (Clara as flower girl, Jono as wedding singer extraordinaire, and me as a bridesmaid) and I look forward to many memories to come with the Lohrenz's!

Let me back up a bit and say that getting to Cut Bank, Montana this past weekend was not the easiest endeavor. Besides the obvious fact that we traveled with two little ones under the age of three (which is a whole different ball game, let me tell you!), we were hit really hard and suddenly (envision a three year old girl puking her guts out down the aisle in church during silent contemplation) with a 24 hour flu bug. Thankfully Caleb was the only one who came out unscathed. Even my husband took the first sick day of his life with this bug. So the whole packing, loading and driving is honestly a blur in my mind. We somehow made it to Two Medicine campground near East Glacier on the 4th of July around 9:30pm. None of us were wearing red, white and blue and there were certainly no sparklers in sight for our three year old girl. Just a fresco style Taco Bell burrito and purple skittles. We're classy, folks. Here are a few shots taken along our drive:

Everyone else isn't feeling well? Not me!

Flathead is in view!

We met our parents (both of them) at a campsite and stayed the night. In the morning we awoke early (our seven month old son didn't want to us to miss the sunrise) to this beautiful sight. I'm pretty sure I've never camped in a more scenic spot!

Beautiful Two Medicine Lake

Snuggling with Grammy

A walk with both grandmas

We were able to take a sweet hike around Two Medicine Lake before heading to Cutbank for the wedding festivities...

The rehearsal dinner brought us back to Glacier for a picnic and boat cruise.

Calebo enjoying the ride

Here are are the much anticipated pictures of the main event. Andrea, of course, looked stunning. And Clara just couldn't get enough of all things wedding. Especially the beautiful dresses!!!

She passed out the second she sat down

The gorgeous reception held in the McDivitt's back yard!

Mr. & Mrs. Lohrenz!!!

We love you Andrea and Parker and we can't wait to see all the Lord has in store for the two of you together!

Oh yes, And you can't leave Montana without at least one bear sighting, right? We saw this bad boy cross the road right as we entered Glacier for the last time.