The Family Sleepover

As our kids were growing up, birthdays were always celebrated first thing in the morning
with breakfast . . . and gift opening, of course.
This past weekend, with Julene's birthday falling on a Saturday, we decided to
make this kind of a birthday morning a gift for her by packing our overnight bags and
heading to the Lakehouse on Friday already.
 

The grands debated on sleeping arrangements for a while
 and once they made their decision they piled on one bed and got their story in.
Papa always has something to tell them about when he was a boy in Paraguay . . .
like a story about a snake or meeting up with an Indian who chased him.
And then they are supposed to go to sleep.
After a few checks at their doors  . . . with a lot of shushes
and drinks of water and a
"mom, can I flush the toilet?" yelled down to where we were sitting
(because the question is not as loud as the flush) . . .
the adults got tired enough to get themselves up to bed as well.
 

The lake is always most beautiful in the morning. Here the view out of the bedroom window is partly hidden by a huge walnut tree.

From the kitchen door, I enjoyed the scene of the kids all wanting to help make a fire. . .
 just because.

Inside the table was set for twelve . . . we missed our Prairie family.

The birthday daughter /sister / wife / mom / auntie got a special place at the head of the table

and our family favorite was served.

Just how she loved it . . . reminiscent of old times . . .
breakfast and gifts first thing in the morning.



I imagine this weekend being even more than my dad could have dreamed of when . . .
thirty five years ago . . .  on the weekend of his first granddaughter's birth,
he purchased this piece of property
with visions of changing  the horse barn into a home for future family get-a-ways.
He loved this spot  . . . as do all those who never got to know him.
Thank you, Dad!