Shorb Family Vacation 2009!

Brother-in-law Mark and six-year-old-nephew Logan were relaxing in the hammock together. I came over to join, the three of us just hanging out in the shade, and Mark relayed this story that had just happened. The two of them were laying back in this picture perfect day of relaxation, reaching into a box of generic Wheat Thins called Thin Wheats and munching away.

Logan spoke up and said, "Mark, now this is some real manage."

Clarifying, Mark said, "Manage? You mean cause we're a couple of boys just relaxing and eating a snack?" Logan shook his head.

And he was right. Now that I had joined them in their leisure, I could confirm that it was some serious manage, relaxing together, laughing, eating some snacks, enjoying life.

Shorb Family Vacation 2009 took us back to a lake in Connecticut where we were two years ago. Despite only having full, consistent sunshine on one of the five days, we had a great time. Here are the highlights:

1. Seeing UP for a second time with the family on a rainy day.
2. Throwing Erica a Strawberry Shortcake birthday party (and trying to bake and decorate a cake without her knowing).

3. Laying in the hammock.
4. Sleeping outside in the gazebo.
5. Watching the kids learn how to bait their own hook and unhook their own fish. They caught a ton; my dad caught 22 fish before lunchtime one day. So much fun to hear Logan shout excitedly, "I got one!" and as he hunches up and reels rapidly, Taylor comments like an experienced, Steve-Irwinesque fisherwoman, "Ooo! He's a fighter!"

6. Watching the comedy of errors when Logan's rod went into the lake and he and Pop-Pop tried to devise a way to get it out.
7. Learning the game of Kubb.
8. Making grilled tilapia one night and burritos another for the family.
9. Eating Mark and Heather's shrimp tacos and Andy and Jodi's buffalo chicken cheesesteaks. Yes, we ate well.
10. Reading so much that I'm ahead one week on my reading plan. Watsons go to Birmingham and Nickel and Dimed are finished!
11. Watching a great blue heron fly over the lake at several points throughout the week.
12. Seeing the baby turtle Andy caught from his kayak, that was promptly released back into the lake after it bit Taylor.

13. Watching Logan swim with his goofy swimming goggles and shiver violently after getting out.
14. Kayaking.
15. Scrabble.
16. UConn dairy bar. Oh. My. Goodness. Best coffee ice cream I've EVER tasted, and I've tasted a lot. Coffee espresso crunch: good, strong coffee taste with chocolate covered espresso beans throughout.

17. The beautiful bright rainbow as the sun was setting after a thunderstorm Friday night.
18. Going barefoot. I'm not usually one who romanticizes about going barefoot in the summer. But I spent more time without shoes than with this vacation, and the bottom of my feet are still grass-stained, and something makes me really like that.

Summer is here. Families and vacations are wonderful things, "good and perfect gifts from above." I hope you get to enjoy some of your own this season.