Spring Clean up at the Lakehouse

When we drove up the driveway on Saturday morning,

Bob and Adalia had already buzzed over most of the yard with the lawnmower.

He and Monika had stayed the night with their granddaughters while their kids were gone for the long weekend. Seems like most of our adult kids were busy somewhere else . . . so these were the only little ones there and, for sure, I was asked where mine were.

For lunch, Mom and Abe served us meat filled Rollkuchen and watermelon on their patio, which happens to be part of the same yard. You may remember the story of how uncle Abe and Tante Kaete (as we called them, even though they were not our real uncle and aunt) purchased  the property together with my parents more than 35 years ago.

On this day both sides of the yard got a good clean up - some blackberry bushes uprooted, trees pruned, the embankment weed-wacked  . . .

There was a fire burning trash all day long. 

We were happy that there was no ban on fires this time, 

since we began with a huge pile sitting there from last year.

It was a day intermingled with work and play. While the men worked outside, the women cleaned windows and did a general spring clean inside, after which it was fun to hang out outside and watch the men work or play with the kids.

Mikyela sat at the top of the long slide (going down the embankment) for a long time 

before deciding to trust that Oma would catch her.

but once she did, she went right back up the stairs

and down again.

With my little camera in hand I meandered over to Abe's steps going to the top.

I love how they have aged so beautifully with the moss and buttercups taking over at this time of year.

Since Pierre will be officially becoming part of the family later this year, 

he decided this was as good a time as any to help out . . .

with a big smile too!

But watch out if you walk too close . . .

You never know how far that spray will carry.

But by her smile, you can tell it's all good. 

One of the last things on the agenda, was some bark mulching around the bedding plants. 

After dinner around the fire pit we sat and enjoyed the beauty of the lake

 . . . the sound of birds in the trees . . . or a lone speed boat going by.

Some roasted marshmallows, others watched.

The perfect ending to a fruitful day.