Last year was the first time renting a cottage in Canada since I was a child. Now Gavin is hooked on sleepaway camp and will be there every summer so this cottage has now become a summer staple in our lives.

This year, Luke went to camp for a weekend program, so the timing of our cottage vacation shifted to be a week earlier than last year. Luckily, I was still able to fit in all of my friends and family in to hang. 

I'll tell you something, there's no place like this, well not that I know of.  The lake is my favorite. I can't tell you how many times we have taken out the paddle boat and canoe. We spend hours jumping on the jumbo trampoline that is included with our rental, as well as hanging on the dock by the lake. Pure heaven.

How about this Lilly Pad? Honestly I died when I saw this.  You can lay down on it, jump on it or dive off it. HOW FUN?!

When Luke's weekend program at camp ended, I got to pick him up...and squeeze my Gavin. He's having the best time and I couldn't be happier for him. When we first saw each other we did a running hug, he jumped on me and squeezed me like a little lemer and his heart was racing so fast I thought it was going to pop out of his stomach.  We were both overcome with emotion and I wanted to know everything about camp. I was so happy to see him.

When going up to the cottage for a week, I do mega planning. I put together a menu and send it to my sister for her sign off so I can shop and make us the best meals ever. Honestly?  All we really do at the cottage is eat. I love love love to BBQ!

I tried out some killer meals. Made the best ribs of my life, Pulled Chicken Tacos with a strawberry salsa, Honey Garlic grilled Sausage with Cheesy Pizettes, you guys omg... it has all been so good.

Spending time at this cottage is like taking a mental health break for me. It's so peaceful out here and I actually take time to relax. I never do that!

My sister spent the first weekend at the cottage with us. It was so nice to spend time with my niece and nephew who I don't get to see nearly enough.  Mandy and her family brought us the most thoughtful thank you gift including the game Snakes and Ladders. I hadn't played that game in years and Luke now wants to play it every day. It is such a fun, easy game and was a genius addition in the beautiful gift basket that Mandy put together.

My brother in law Jason is a conniseur of fine beers and fun drinks so he left us with some sparkling, rosé lemonade and though it was way too sweet for me, I had quite a ball photographing the can. HAHA.

The local town is only 20 minutes from the cottage so we are able to run over there if we need groceries, a drugstore or of course...an ice cream break.

What I love the most about being here? Is the fresh, Canadian lake air. You guys, there is nothing like it. Yesterday Luke said to me: Mom, I'm going to my room to rest. 3 hours later, he woke up from a nap feeling fully rested and relaxed. He hasn't napped since the year 2013. You know what?  I think I'll go take a nap myself...