Summer Holidays

We always look forward to summer holidays and this year was no exception. Our kids came 'home' for some beach time with their children, upholding a tradition we began when they were just infants. We would pack up the first week of July and head out on a camping holiday, somewhere in British Columbia, then settling for beach time at the West end of the Lesser Slave Lake, at Shaw's Point. Often, we'd go fishing, play on the beach, BBQ breakfast, lunch and supper, and end the day by 'watching TV' or gazing into the fire, if you want to have the real story. We'd pretend we'd be changing the channels as we threw another log in. As soon as our children were of an age they could participate, they would clamber to have their turn at changing the channel.

Now, our oldest grandson, Noah, helps his Daddy make a fire, giving us cause to be apprehensive when he gets too close with his little stick. We haven't told him about the changing of the channels yet. :-)

This summer, we already have enjoyed having our family time at the lake, with water fights, naps, sandcastle building and tanning at the beach; a little fishing, fireside dreaming, jolly jumper time under the outdoor kitchen roof, card games, and other kinds of fun. Thank you Penny, Jamie and Jordan; and James, Sophie, Noah and Evie for coming 'home' again. Also, thanks to Granda and Grandpa VandenBerg for making the journey and sleeping over. Thanks to Morgan and his girlfriend for adding to the mix! It's been a wonderful beginning to the summer holiday!

As long as our family continues to make the journey to our little piece of summer heaven, we have no reason to make changes. However, change is inevitable. With rising costs of renting a lot at Shaw's Point and with the purchase of a lot at Hilliard's Bay Estates, we are considering moving to that lake edge and setting up camp there. Originally, the purchase was made as an investment and as project potential to give us something else to focus on besides work. Now, with input from the family and friends, we are making plans for a more permanent holiday set up.

We alternate between planning for a future home and wanting to put up a for sale sign. :-)

Right now, we can see ourselves putting up a 1200 or so square foot home worthy of the lake view with enough room to house the immediate family when they come to visit, or with room for a few others, as have been known to drop in over the course of the summer. We really do enjoy the visits to the lake from family and friends as it gives us a chance to relax and play a little. We are looking forward to taking our grandchildren on adventures as soon as they are able. In order to do that, we need to have a home base. Why not a cabin at the lake?

In the future, who knows? It could become the principal residence for retirement. But we have many years before that happens!