The second weekend in June is one of my favorite weekends of every year…it’s what we simply refer to as “The Lake”. My dad’s side of the family has been going to the Lake of the Ozarks since the early 70’s…and even though we’ve grown to a group of almost 60 now, it’s a pretty rare occasion that someone misses the reunion. Is that amazing or what?
I just love how much everyone loves the lake 🙂
Looking back at last year’s post, I realized a few things:
1. I need to stop being so lazy and take more pictures with my DSLR. They’re so much better!
2. Arden has grown soooo much (and was such a chunk last year)!
3. Blogging is awesome…these captured memories are priceless.
We hit the road on Thursday with my sister and her 3 kiddos, while the dad’s joined us after work that evening. Arden was in heaven riding with her cousins…and I know she felt really cool being able to sing along to Frozen the entire time 😉
One of many lake traditions: junk food. So popsicles upon arrival only seemed fitting 😉
Up until last year, our entire family went to the “strip” once during the trip. We’d play arcade games, ride bumper cars, and then finish it off with ice cream–courtesy of my grandpa. I have so many fond memories of that grimy old place! However, if you’ve been to the Ozarks lately you probably know that the strip is not what it used to be…sadly, most of it’s closed down. So the last 2 years we’ve taken the kids to an indoor place with games and rides instead–and it’s been a huge hit!
Arden rode a roller coaster, bumper cars AND a ferris wheel. Such a big kid!
(Well not quite big enough to see over the side of the cart apparently…ha!)
This is her “I’ve had my fun and I’m about to melt down” look. And melt down, she did 😉 So home we went for a nice long nap…
Dinner out on the deck is a fun time for everyone. Especially this little explorer who fed the ducks, walked up and down every step on the property, and disrupted many a game of cornhole.
But doesn’t she look sweet? 🙂
Cake, anyone?!
We also spent plenty of time at the pool during our long weekend. The kids were in heaven (because, come on–it’s a pool!) and the adults had just as much fun talking and catching up, as always.
Lots of pool time = a sleepy baby.
And yes, that’s my pregnancy pillow 🙂 We moved her to the pack-n-play after she was asleep, but only after I snapped a picture…
The 5 grandkids in our family always provide us with lots of entertainment at the lake, but these 2 kind of stole the show this year with their theatrics. I have some even funnier clips on our video camera–but this gives you an idea of how much Arden loves Frozen. I think we may listen to the soundtrack a little too often 😉
We capped off the trip with a kids’ fishing tournament, glow sticks, and a little Father’s Day celebration for Papa.
Thanks for another awesome year, Ozarks! We’ll be back next year with family member #60 in tow 😉
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Lastly, we have a WINNER for the ZoZu Baby headbands…
congratulations Courtney G!!!!!
Sandy at ZoZu Baby will be contacting you soon with the details. Thanks so much to everyone who participated!!!
Sandy at ZoZu Baby will be contacting you soon with the details. Thanks so much to everyone who participated!!!
I seriously LOVE Arden's hair! So blonde and so gorg! What a fun time at the lake!
I always love how adorably Arden is dressed — where did you get that white floral romper? Too cute!
Love this post! We used to go the The Lake every summer too. I'm sad to hear that the Strip isn't what it used to be. I have such fond memories of all the activities and shops and food there. But what a great weekend. I can't believe how grown up Arden is looking these days!
I loved last year's recap, fun to see this year's! Such a great tradition
I 100% agree with all three things you had an epiphany over 😉 Chunky, DSLR's and blogging both rule!
I love looking back at old family vacation recaps. They're so happy and full of amazing memories!
What a fun trip! Arden is so adorable. Love the picture of her in the anchor dress.
I love this tradition! Makes me want to start something similar with my family. It's so sweet that all the cousins will be able to look back on all those years of lake memories.
The Joni Journey
Looks like we had a lot of the same kind of fun this weekend 🙂 Arden looks so big in these pictures! And I seriously laughed out loud at the picture of her and your mom in the cart with her little eyes looking over the side. Too cute!
That looks like so much fun! What a great tradition. Also, I love Arden's blue anchor dress – where is it from??
Such an awesome family tradition!
Love, love, love that anchor dress of Arden's!
The 'Go away Aahna' line was seriously so cute, I watched it couple of times…. 🙂
Love lazy lake weekends! Arden is just precious and is growing super fast!!!
So much fun, I love a good tradition!! 🙂
haha, the pic on the pony! the meltdown pic, haha…I know that look so well when we go to Disney!
so much fun! That is amazing that everybody goes. I wish my family lived close enough to do some crazy get together. And, junk food – mandatory!
We live in Columbia, about an hour from the Lake. Such fun times and it's so sad that the strip has become so run down. Miner Mikes is definitely one of our favorites though and of course the outlet shopping. Looks like you guys had a great time!