People in Minnesota tend to describe their summer vacations as "we went Up North." And that's what we did this weekend.We went to a friend's family cabin. Actually it's kind of a compound as they have two cabins on adjacent lots. We have been going up there every summer for a "Friends Weekend" for around 21 or so years, only taking one summer off when a baby was born and since the baby's dad was the host and the baby's mom kind of wanted him to be in the hospital with her, and that hospital was in Maryland ... well, it just didn't work out that year. But every other year, a core group of us travel Up North for a weekend of fun.
The weekends used to involve a lot of alcohol and no kids. For a couple of years we had a couple we fondly refer to as "The Subways" - they owned 2 Subway shops - and they were fond of drinking, yelling, drinking some more, chasing chipmunks with golf clubs, drinking some more, and ending the evening with more yelling. We don't miss them.
Then the first babies showed up. Then more. The alcohol consumption went down in direct inverse porportion to the number of babies.
Then one year they outnumbered us, and it's never been the same since. Now we drink a lot of water and a lot of coffee, and while the fire pit used to be the place where inhibitions left and "American Pie" was sung in its entirety, now the fire pit is where the S'Mores are made and "Guess I'll Eat Some Worms" is sung in all its hilarity.
I didn't take many photos this year but here are a couple which show the mood, starring Ty & Sophia.
One thing we discovered this year was that of the 9 kids up there this year, there was a 2 year old and a 12 year old, and then one each of ages 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, & (almost)10! We have, this fall, someone starting every grade - from preschool, through kindergarten and up to 5th grade (and then Ben in 7th.) Somehow we parents never picked up on how orderly we gave birth before.
A fun weekend. One bee sting, but no blood. Success!
5 comments:
Reminds me of my camping weeks with our family, where we had (the last time we went out) 7 kids (6 boys and Ava) ages 12, 11, 10, 8, 7, 6, 4, and 3. All hiking!
Well it does look like a lot of fun. Ty looks like he had a great time.. I am sure that there were a lot of s'mores being eaten..
too bad about the bee sting.:(
how fun! a last hurrah before school starts.
As a Minnesota immigrant, even after 20 years, I still get a kick out of going "up North" as in:
"Where ya going?"
"Up North. To the cabin."
"Oh, yeah? Where is it?"
"On the lake."
Doesn't matter what lake, it's "the lake." And "the cabin", not "our cabin" or "my cabin." And if you're one of those sad pathetic few who don't have a cabin, you can still refer to your parent's or in-law's cabins the same way.
I've always been highly resistent to owing a cabin, because it would make me feel like I'd have to spend all my vacation time there. Unlike what we actually did. Which was go to Glacier National Park and camp at the same campgroun every year. :-)
and it is always "up north" even if "the" cabin isn't north...
and you are right, it's always on "the lake"...:)
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