A Week In New Hampshire

David and his family have started a tradition of meeting at Lake Spofford every July. I was talking to Nancy a little about the history Sunday, and she said that they have been coming to this lake since David was about 8 years old. Evan's been going there his whole life. Quite a lot of memories there for their family! A very special place for them all - three generations meeting from NH, TX and NJ.

George and Nancy live in a farmhouse very near Lake Spofford - about a 10 minute or so drive (maybe less - I'm not exactly sure). They owned an "A-Frame" they call it up here near the lake and vacationed there for years. David lived there when he went to college in Keene. Then they bought a house right across the street from the "A-Frame" that is directly on the lake a few years ago (the red cabin) and they get to spend time there all Spring - Fall. (It's not a year-round house, so they close it up in the winter). There is a dock for all the boats and swimming gear, blueberry bushes in front for snacking and lots of room for the kids to swim, ski and play around. ANYWAY.....David went up on the 17th and I met them up there the following weekend. They got a week of catching up and I know it was WONDERFUL for Nancy to have all her kids and grand kids there together. Here are a few photos that David took:

Evan swimming. He did a great job this year...swam out with all the other kids and held his own. It was the first year he really got out there and swam around...he had a proud daddy all week!

Cathy (David's sister), Evan and Kayla (David's niece). Kayla turned 14 on Saturday, so everyone went out to the Olive Garden for dinner in Keene and home for Nancy's famous crumb cake and presents on the deck of the lake house. Not a bad birthday if you ask me!

George and Nancy's gang. Front Row: David holding Evan, Brandon, Cathy, Mason and Kayla. Back Row: Jay, Tyler and Billy. Billy is Cathy's only child. Evan is David's only (obviously) and the others belong to Jay. (Clearly, it's a tanning family! ha. Everyone was a brown bear by the end of the week).

Yeah, I got out there for one short swim on Sunday. Evan pushed me around as he has become a better swimmer than I am! I hid in the tube and didn't get too sunburned.

Mason and Evan. Mason is 9 (I believe). He's the baby.
Super sweet and really smart.

And here's the Oakes Family photo. (So weird that I'm in it this year, right? ha Still not so used to it...but nevertheless...there I am with the others. ) Barron was back in Texas taking care of the animals, so it was just Cathy and Billy representing this year. Nice to have people around who love Texas too!

Cute one of Evan. David bought him this shirt while they were up there and his eyes were SO BLUE! Very pretty!

Brandon and Nancy. Nancy loves all her grand kids and has a different connection with each one. Brandon and her are very close. Brandon likes to get up and walk with her EARLY in the morning and talk and explore. They'll go at 4:30am if they are both up and ready. Brandon is the next to youngest. Tyler is the oldest, then Kayla, Brandon and finally Mason.

So, there's a "recap" of The Oakes Family in case you are still trying get everyone straight. Another successful summer vacation!