Geneva-On-the-Lake 2011

It's the (pretty much) halfway point between us and our family in Dayton.  For the second year in a row, Jeff's family has met here for a mini-vacation.  We stay at the Geneva resort-type lodge on Lake Erie.

This is a pretty good picture, yet still catalogs the chaos of moments of trying to get these cousins to take a nice picture with Grandma and Grandpa.  Well, Molly looks picture-perfect in all of them; it's the younger three that are the challenge.

We had gorgeous weather.  Sunny, not too hot, but hot enough for swimming.  We ate every dinner outside on the grounds, some picnic-style, one at the outdoor restaurant.

Look at the three younger kids (mine in particular) and note why outdoors is a good option for dining.  Anna and AJ only have one volume: LOUD.  Even when they are just having normal conversation.

We spent lots of time outside.  Around dinner, we threw a frisbee and engaged in some lacrosse-style catch, made smores, or just hung out while the kids ran around.

 Allie getting a piggy-back ride from her adored older cousin.  Sometimes this intense adoration of Molly causes problems between her and Anna.

Though honestly, these two are more of the same speed.  It can never be too loud or too rough for either of them.

When push comes to shove, these two really do have a great time playing together.  Neither AJ nor Molly has the tolerance for the amount of hours they can play dolls, for example.  I don't know what they are pretending here.  This shot was taken as they discovered I was spying on them.

There is a lovely bike trail right in front of the lodge.  It was perfect for Kate and I to run on, and once we even had the (slightly dumb) idea to take the little kids on a surrey ride.  We almost killed ourselves.  Molly completely enjoyed riding on flat road once again, so we rented her a bike 2 days in a row.

The guys golfed in the mornings, and the women took the kids swimming.  Most of the swimming was done in the lodge's outdoor pool, but we did visit the beach one morning.  My kids had a blast getting tossed around in the crazy waves.  Kate's kids preferred the sand.  Our suits smelled unbelievably fishy later.  I miss Lake Michigan.

The last evening we had a big combined birthday party for all the kids.  Usually we just do this for Molly, but since the other 3 kid birthdays are December 8 & 20 and January 3, we decided that because we are so far away now, the little ones don't get a proper family birthday celebration and do they really need another gift at Christmas? Molly was gracious enough to share the day.  And the little ones loved it.  We ordered pizza and a cake.  This is the kids (and Grandpa) eating cake.

I had to take this picture and capture the torture of waiting to open presents.  The picture does not accurately portray the torture, however.  It looks like quiet waiting in the picture.  Trust me - it wasn't.

It was hilarious to us that all AJ requested was a lunchbox.  Whenever his mom asks what kind of gift he would like (the "pacifier fairy" recently visited their house, for instance) he insists on a lunchbox.  "Mom, tell Aunt Tiff I want a lunch box." That's all. Auntie Tiff, she does what she can to come through for the nieces and nephews.

Uncle Aaron does not get a personal mention on the blog very often, but it must be noted that Uncle Aaron is often caught in poses like this.  With Uncle Jeff and Uncle Aaron around, the rowdiness of every family occasion is ensured.  This is Uncle Aaron approving of Molly's new Cincinnati Reds shorts.  The only place he claimed they would fit was his head.

Another nice Rozelle family trip.  Next year, Myrtle Beach.  Where Jeff and I will free Myrtle the trophy alligator from the clutches of Aaron and Kate.  She'll be missing us after being with us for so many years.