The Schedule

For the past 7 years or so, my cousin, her kids and my two aunts have spent a week at the lake each summer. Somewhere along the way, my mom and I started making a schedule for their visit. I know, sounds a bit controlling. But, here's the thing. None of us can make a decision. Without the schedule, we'd sit around all day saying, "What do you want to do?" "I don't care. You decide." Also, over the years, we've acquired quite a list of annual traditions that we have to squeeze into one week. To complicate it even more, Regular business hours don't apply around here, so we have to work around the crazy schedules of some of the places we like to visit.




None of this is set in stone, and we also have the weather to contend with. The first year that my cousin visited, it was so cold that we sat on the beach wrapped in blankets. Another year (when we had about 10 additional family members visiting) we had the most sweltering heatwave. I think that, along with the somewhat rustic cottage conditions, scared some of our relatives off. Luckily, though, nothing seems to deter our most diehard visitors. We always a look forward to their visit. And then collapse with exhaustion at the end of the week.

The six kids climbing into the Bookamer's Polaris for a ride through the woods surrounding the farm.




This calf used our arms as a salt lick. Her rough tongue gave us a little exfoliation treatment.




Dollar Spaghetti Night at the golf course. Only on Wednesdays.








After spaghetti, on a the golf course.




The Scavenger Hunt list. Boys vs. Girls.




Hanks frozen custard. Closed on Tuesdays.

Waldameer and Erie

We spent a full day in Erie earlier this week. The kids did ride after ride at Waldameer, a hundred-plus year old amusement park. The adults, meanwhile, parked ourselves in the outdoor theater and watched Waldameer's cast of four dance and sing their way through three musical variety shows.






















My mom, cousin and aunts.




Will and Tessa with their carnival prizes.



As if that wasn't enough, we drove through Presque Isle State Park, where the kids took an impromptu dip in Lake Erie. Waldameer sits on the edge of Presque Isle and Lake Erie, and some rides give a beautiful view of the lake.









We drove back to the lake, stopped at Eddie's Footlong, then arrived home to discover our baby birds.

At Eddie's.

Dinner at an Amish House in Crawford County

Even though we knew not to expect much from the meal at Sarah's (after our experience two years ago), we gave it another shot just for the experience of eating in an Amish house. The setting is idyllic, so I was hopeful that our previous meal was just a on off-night in Sarah's kitchen.

We knew we were in trouble at this point. Someone asked if the corn was hers.  Sarah is surrounded by fields and fields of corn after all. "No, I buy it frozen" was her reply.

Mashed potatoes, noodles, white bread, fried chicken, roast beef (not shown), cole slaw covered with shredded cheese, and corn. We're pretty sure that nothing is homemade. After our perfect farm meal at the Bookamer's, this was so disappointing.

The kids, of course, couldn't be happier.

John especially enjoyed it.

They love this strawberry jam/marshallow fluff mixture on their white bread. If it weren't for this, there would be no color on our plates!

This made the whole trip worth it. On our drive home we followed this young Amish couple tearing down the dirt road on a tractor. She's barefoot and hanging on for dear life. I'm not quite sure why they have a tractor.

Snack Shack at Midway Beach

We spend a lot of time at Midway Beach, which is right next to our cottage. Although our usual routine is to pack a lunch, it's hard to keep the kids away from the snack shack.

Kate, Will, and Ben working up an appetite.

The snack shack. Not so glamorous, but heaven to a kid. A few bucks can go a long way. Twenty-five cents buys a popsicle, a dollar buys a hot dog.

Decisions, decisions...

A Slush Puppy, a Kit Kat, and popcorn

Stable Pit and Pub Closes!

In mid-August, our beloved Pit and Pub suddenly closed down. It is scheduled to be sold at auction in September. Stay tuned.

Weekend Visitors

We had a wonderful weekend with the family.

From the pictures, you'd think all we did was sit around and eat. That's not entirely the case, but we did have plenty of time to catch up.

Playing our new favorite card game, 31. Bob was the big winner this time.

Dinner at our cottage.

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

Week with Cousins

We just ended a fun-filled week with extended family. Despite much rain, we were busy all week. While the rain kept us from some of the activities we usually do, we found new things to take their place. We also managed to squeeze in many of our regular summer events when the weather cooperated.

The 2nd Annual Scavenger Hunt...Girls vs. Boys

The girls' team at the end of the Scavenger Hunt

The boys at their first house

The whole group at Pit and Pub

Tessa picking blueberries

John and Ben making their tie-dye shirts

Jack and Colleen explaining the tie-dye activity to the kids

Geocaching

Kate, Ben, John, Amy, Tessa and Will