There's a Teen in the House (or should I say, 'Cottage')!

Ben is offically a teenager! We celebrated his 13th birthday, as we seem to do each of his birthdays, with a cookout.

Me and Bob with our Teen

Ben and Nana

Dinner

My mom's cousin Helen was even here, all the way from Texas

Opening his gifts

As if Nana's angel food cake wasn't enough, we roasted marshallows (Ben's request)

These weren't regular marshallows. They were HUGE, and according to the kids a bit too much.

Ben's 12th Birthday

Ben's birthday always falls during our Conneaut Lake time. He requested a cookout by the lake (meaning on the site of his great-grandparents' Midway Hotel) this year, as he always does. We usually manage to have a number of cookouts each summer, but the weather hasn't cooperated this year. Fortunately, the rain held off just long enough for us to cook our hot dogs and sausages and to sing happy birthday.

Ben getting his hot dog ready.

Kate cooking on the open fire.

Bob, the kids and my dad fixing their plates.

Nana made the cake for Ben - Angel Food, her birthday specialty.

Opening presents

Reunion at the Lake

A whole new group arrived today - this time, relatives on my husband's side. Despite jet lag and little sleep on a red-eye, they plowed through the day. We were all so excited for their arrival that they actually had no choice but to keep going!

A rare photo opportunity - the three siblings together...

A happy grandma...

All of the cousins on this side of the family...

A little push from Grandpa...

Dinner...

Another birthday celebration...

Party games...