Vay-Cay.

How do you summarize eight days away, seventy-some pictures and a whole lot of pictures in just a quick blog post?

I have no idea.

We had a great vacation.

We were at a cabin near Balsam Lake, WI with my dad for the week and it was exactly what we (especially myself) needed. (Not many people could handle vacation with their family and their dad for a week, but really there's no where else I'd rather be than with my favorite people.)

We got to see other family as well, aunts, uncles, cousins. My niece and nephew and one of my cousins were there for most of the week too. It was fun to have different day (and overnight) visitors throughout the week.

I was unplugged the entire time though I did turn my phone on at the end of the week for some texting. But I didn't check my email or my facebook or twitter or any blogs. It was strangely comforting NOT to be constantly connected, which sounds really weird, I'm sure.

I did indeed finish the book I was reading.

I didn't get E's baby calendar done. And I certainly didn't write my toast for Saturday night.

But the purpose, for once, wasn't to get things done.

Even J was fully on break and vacation. We switched off sleeping in the mornings we were there. He golfed with my dad. Took naps.

Really, is there anything better than a good, old, vay-cay?

Here's just a glimpse of our time away. (Because I know that seventy-some pictures would be TOO many!)

This is the place my dad rented. It was absolutely beautiful and a fun place to stay. We loved it.

If you look really hard you can see J and T playing catch.

Fishing.

Smores, of course.

Just hanging out.

Swimming. M, my nephew Michael and my cousin Lisa.

My nephew, Michael.

Our M.

Poker. T, as the dealer.

Then the kids got the real card sharks involved, my dad and J.

Vacation couldn't have come at a better time for me this summer. I had had a stressful, exhausting couple weeks leading up to our week away and knew that a week away from everything would be good for my soul.

And it was.

My one regret, my one small, teensy, weeny little regret, is not taking a picture of my dad with all six of his grandkids. But thankfully we all have enough good memories to last us longer than any picture would.

Thanks for the great week all of you who were there, but especially to J and my dad. What a great week!