Lake Clevland

Summer as a farmer is not really a vacation like it was for me growing up. It's their most busy time and we really don't get much time off. It seemed any days we had off were spent on the finishing projects at our house. Nolan and I were determined to do something with our family, no matter how small.

If you venture past Malta and up into the mountains about a 1/2 hour away you can find this little gem of a spot called Lake Cleveland. Nolan loves it up here, and wanted so badly to take the kids camping here this summer. I knew that with a 2 year old and 6 month old, sleeping outside was not something that I wanted to do, but we decided to spend the day up there and sleep at home. Nolan and the other two camped.

We borrowed Nolans parents kayaks and had such a great couple of days of hiking and kayaking, and having quality family time without any distractions.

The kids loved it all and were excited to show me everything, from a rock they would find to a trail, whatever.

Grace's first attempt at kayaking. She did well, but got tired and we had to go save her.

I still haven't figured out proper camping attire. Nolan makes fun of me in a skirt, and flip flops.

Happy Emma, along for the ride.

It's times like this where I really focus on what's important that I am truly happy and realize how good we have it under the crazy things life throws our way. Getting away is good for all of us. It gets us out of the routine of things, even for a short time.

The food was great, as it usually is during campout sessions. We had a fun family night up there too, and the first Harper Talent Show. Thomas amazed us with his rendition of "IN Summer" from Frozen. Grace danced, I did a tongue twister my mom used to recite to us of Betty Bought A Bit of Butter, and Nolan impressed us with his different whistles.

A little way up from out camp site there was snow. We just had to take the challenge to get up there and have a little snow fight of our own. This trip was great and may definitely become a summer tradition!