The Cottage

Birds

It seems that for the second summer in a row we may (fingers crossed) have avoided having chimney swifts next in our chimney. The problem wasn't actually with them nesting in our chimney, it was that they weren't good nest builders. For a number of years, their nest fell down our chimney and we endured round the clock baby bird feedings, where mama and papa chimney swift flew noisily down our chimney to the squawking babies to feed them. This year, we have a much cuter and quieter situation. These darling birds have a nest outside of our kitchen door. It was so cold for the first few days of our time here that the mama bird didn't move from the nest. 

~ Becky

Dinner at the Cottage

Our group has grown so large that normal dinners out are nearly impossible, so we each host one dinner. On our night, we had to search to find dry (enough) land to put the tables in our swamp of a yard. 

It's my cousin Kelly's first time here. I'm not sure anything could have prepared her for life at the lake. On her first morning, for instance, she met a couple who have seen Big Foot. At least they claim to have seen Big Foot, which is a story for another post.

After dinner, the kids went on a photo scavenger hunt, boys vs girls. Despite knowing, from years of experience, that everyone would get a prize, they were quite competitive. The evening was not going to end well (for William at least) unless the boys won. The evening did not end well.

And, of course, S'mores! S'mores with peanut butter cups were hugely popular.

~ Becky

4th of July at the Lake

July 4th at the Lake was pretty much like it always is...except that the festivities actually happened on the 4th! The Midway Civic Club Parade, a Pet and Bike Parade, was the cutest ever.

Cousins started arriving on the 3rd and immediately ran off together to giggle, catch frogs, and play wiffle ball. These girls have so much fun together!

Pip had a little competition this year.

The three sisters.

And First Place in the pet costume contest goes to Pip! Well, not really. There weren't any awards. But we all know that if there had been, he surely would have won!

~ Becky