Lakeside – Family fun in Lake Mills, WI

We usually go to North Carolina’s outer banks around Bob’s birthday, but this year decided to travel northwest to Lake Mills, Wisconsin. Bob and Patty are born one day apart, which made the visit feel all the more festive.

Bob’s Cousin Patty and her husband, Steve, came to see us on Maui in 2002 and in North Carolina last spring. It was our turn to go see them.

Steve and Patty lived in what used to be Patty’s parents house for much of their married life, but recently moved to smaller digs next door Their son, Tom, and his family have moved into the big house.

Patty and Steve’s deck comes with a brilliant view of Rock Lake. You can see their boat dock from up there, too.

I enjoyed meeting Patty and Bob’s cousin, Becky. She drove over from a nearby town to see us and hang out lakeside.

I couldn’t get over the sunsets. “This is spectacular!” I said. “They’re all great,” said Steve. I tried to imagine living in one place with such a view for forty years or so. Imagine!

The next day we put on our bathing suits. Gideon caught the football while jumping from the dock time after time, as tireless as a Labrador.

The weather was unseasonably warm. Patty couldn’t recall it ever being this nice this close to her birthday.

Aubrey was equally athletic with her leaping, twisting spins.

Bob delivered on his promise to get into the lake.

Something he had not done for at least thirty years. As children, he and his brothers would come to Lake Mills from Ghana in the summer to spend time with their cousins.

Old times, new times. Memories are made from repeating memories.

Cousin Kathy brought her little dog.

Steve, not-yet-retired, enjoying some downtime.

Tom kept us entertained with his quick jokes.

I was taken by Aubrey, such a bright light.

Sisters!

Kathy and I are nearly the same age.

Charlie stopped by after dinner to see his Uncle Bob. Patty and Steve’s third child lives on a Caribbean Island, so we did not see her.

On the way out of town, we stopped at the cemetery where Patty’s family are buried. Stay tuned for more on that story.