Tuesday, September 6, 2011

The End of an Era

This weekend marked the end of an era for my family.  It was the last weekend we spent at the cabin - it will be demolished this week so my parents' new lake home can be build.  I love our cabin, but it was sort of on it's last leg with much of it rotting and just falling apart in general.  My parents will eventually retire and live at the lake year round, and the time has come for them to make that dream they've spoke of for years come true.  They have worked ridiculously hard (and continue to work ridiculously hard), so it is really nice to see them appreciate the fruits of their labor.  I'm so excited for them!

It was a bittersweet weekend.  We loaded up lots of stuff (I admittedly got out of the worst of the heavy loading as I left a day before everyone else did) but also enjoyed ourselves.

My parents purchased that cabin back in 2001.  It is interesting to think about all the events that have happened since then.  My sisters both had their bachelorette parties there and I had my MBA grad school party there.  My nephews, James and Andrew, had many birthday celebrations there.  All 5 of my nephews got to experience a "bath-in-the-sink".  Christmases were celebrated.  Countless games of cribbage and apples to apples were played. 

We reminisced a bit over our last supper together there on Sunday night.  The memories are countless, really.  I am looking forward to making memories in the new place next summer!!

I will close with some photos of some of the memories we've made...

Mom & Matthew, summer of 2009

Andrew on this 3rd birthay.  Yes, he is licking his cake.  While we sang "Happy Birthday".  The kid just could not wait.  Funniest picture ever in my opinion.

Kolin playing in the yard

James, Andrew, and Kolin at my MBA Grad party.  This was take 4 of this photo, I believe?  Takes 1-3 involved some tears.  It's tough to coral young kids for a photo...
Abby with us bridesmaids at her bachelorette party
James and I last summer - he had recently lost his 2 front teeth!


Last sink bath for Charlie.  The cabin doesn't have a tub, so this is where all the babies bathed!

19 comments:

Kelly (She Wears a Red Sox Cap) said...

Awww, very exciting to have a new place but sad to say goodbye to the old one. I will be having a similar weekend coming up- we are fixing up the Cape house big time this year (not demolishing though) so we will be loading some things up. I'm mostly just sad to not be able to go there while the word is being done since that is my stress relief :)

Okay so... for some reason all this time I thought you had 1 sister two brothers, but maybe I switched a sister and a brother or maybe there are actually five kids in your family. Is your other sister in that bridesmaid photo above?

Becky said...

How bittersweet indeed! It'll be cool to see what the new lake house looks like - it'll be done by next summer you said? Will your parents retire then or wait a few more years? I'm excited for your parents too!

missris said...

Aww this is sad AND exciting! I'm glad you got to experience one last weekend there to say goodbye to the house.

Raquelita said...

Hee hee! I love that picture of your nephew licking his cake!

I hope the lake house building goes off without a hitch!

J said...

I felt the same way when my aunt and uncle sold their cabin that I had been going to all my life. SO many memories. But it was time to move on and it was a good choice and now we have family vacations in all different places which is fun too. I am sure you and your family will make lots of new memories in the new cabin!

Jolene - EverydayFoodie said...

Awwwww, it is always sad to say goodbye to a place where memories were made. I love the bath in the sink picture - so cute!

Amber @ A Little Pink in the Cornfields said...

This is so exciting for your family, but bittersweet - I am sure! I so hope that someday when I have a family we can have something like this. The two friends of mine that have lakehouses just adore theirs and it's such a perfect summer getaway.
I can't wait to see pictures of the new lakehouse and see what they do with it. How cool!!

Nora said...

Really sweet photos of the nephews and families! I can imagine how bittersweet this past weekend must have been for you although I have to say I'm curious/excited to see the new lake house and how great your parents are doing this. They definitely deserve it :)

Leigh said...

It looks like your family has made quite the memories in that cabin! But I am sure the new one will be a place to make even more :)

Amber said...

What great photos! I can imagine how bittersweet that would be!! I'm glad you could all get together for one more weekend and share your best memories :)

That last pic of Charlie having a sink bath is too adorable!

Kyria @ Travel Spot said...

Definitely bittersweet, but now you will have a new (/old) place to make new memories! I think that it's a step in the right direction!

Your nephews are super cute. And all blond? How did that happen?

Marlys said...

It was a busy, but fun last weekend at the "cabin"! So many great memories but more to come! I hope the grandsons remember some of them, but I know Charlie won't! I'm glad you have a photo of the "baby bath"!
It was a tad hard to leave last it last night!

Amanda said...

Aw, baby in a sink :) Can't get much cuter than that!

Abby said...

So weird that the cabin is being demolished! It's also weird to think I've only been there twice in the past 4 years.. :'(

I hardly recognized Charlie! He has changed so much! What a little cutie! He looks so healthy :)

Gald you got to be there for the last weekend. Mom & Dad sure have/do work hard to deserve this!

Stephany said...

What a sweet weekend to be able to get away and reminisce on all the good times at your lake house! And I have no doubt even more great memories will be made at the new one. Yay!

Jess said...

Just think of all the new, great memories you will have at the new lake home. Something so nice about being at the lake! Glad you got to spend some time there this weekend.

The Many Thoughts of a Reader said...

aww.. love the kiddo pictures.

Cherry Blossoms said...

How sweet but also bittersweet to say goodbye to so many wonderful memories! But on the bright side so many more years of memorable times await!

Jeanie said...

What wonderful memories and photos! I know it will be a hard transition in some ways, but what joys you have shared! And the new lake house will -- I'm sure -- be just perfect! A whole new set of memories for you all.