Do you ever have weekends planned that you know are just going to be crazy? A lot of people, which will be fun, but surely it will be chaos? That’s how I pictured this past weekend would go when my extended family all gathered to celebrate my Grandma Betty turning 97 (!!!) years old. However the reality? Smooth sailing and incredibly fun time that of course left me wishing we weren’t all spread out over the country.

Much of this credit certainly goes to my mom, who always makes hosting look effortless. Goodness knows I don’t deserve any credit for bringing things together; after all I’m the one that forgot Kaitlyn’s ENTIRE SUITCASE at the top of the stairs back at home. Good thing big sis didn’t mind sharing.

But honestly for a weekend at the lake, a three year old doesn’t need much besides sunscreen and a life jacket anyway!

It didn’t take long after arrival for all the kids to make their way into the water. I guess Georgia in July will motivate you like that.

As the grand kids have gotten older, Nana and Papa John have accumulated quite the supply of lake toys. The flat water mat was a huge hit for all the kids. And me? I got to try stand up paddle-boarding for the first time!

I loved it! David and I decided to have a yoga pose competition on the boards, you know because we are both such dedicated and advanced yogis, and after both crashing into the water more than once, I feel confident in saying I pulled out the victory with my tree pose.

The boards were out a lot, as everyone took a turn, down to the youngest of us.

Kids, right? They make everything look effortless!

Between lake adventures, we played Rumikub, chatted it up, ate and drank. If I recall correctly, there was even some evening jam session and dancing on the back porch. I think last time we were all together was 3 years ago?

And of course, there were birthday festivities to attend to! Kaitlyn, being the shy thing she is (lol) decided she’d share the spotlight and climbed right up onto Grandma Betty’s lap to “help” her open her cards and gifts.

A quick word about my Grandma Betty: 97 years old and as bursting with as much personality as ever. She’s a woman who loves her family fiercely and has touched many lives with her love and spunk over her 97 years, which is evident from the influx of birthday cards displayed on the mantel.

I feel lucky to know her and to get to call her Grandma.

The sun kept shining and we fed the kids cupcakes, so we ventured back to the lake in the afternoons. Papa John is a pro tube puller, as I remember catching some wicked wake from the time I was in 7th grade and now it’s a blast to watch the next generation get a taste of tubing.

We started off with 4 excited smiles. As the bumps got bigger the facial expressions began to differ…

Hailey’s face cracks me up- pure terror! And I mean that with the utmost amount of parental love. While Kyla and Alex proved to be the dare devils of the bunch, Hailey and Kaitlyn decided smooth but speedy was their ride of choice.

But Hailey’s favorite activity of the weekend was cruising on the jetski with Nana.

Between all the activity, conversation, and snuggles with Baby Lacey Mac, the weekend flew by.

Yesterday after hugs, we headed back home and managed to make a quick grocery store pit stop for some essentials before baths and getting the girls down to bed on time.

It’s 8:15 am now as I type and Kaitlyn is still sleeping. Just another sign of a pretty incredible weekend!

How often do you get to see your extended family?

What is your favorite water activity?

Swimming? SUP? Kayaking?