Just one short week ago we were packing our bags to come back to Madison after a weekend up north at Lake Nokomis. I vividly remember lots of “nooooooo’s” + “don’t make us go back’s” (Shane, I’m looking at you!) — we all were like little children begging to stay at a friend’s house forever. The truth is that is was such a FUN, relaxing, “unplugged” weekend with family + friends … it made going back to work on Tuesday feel like the greatest feat in the world!! Don’t worry, we made it ; )

My aunt + uncle own a cabin up in Northern Wisconsin on a large lake called Lake Nokomis. This year, for the 4th, my dad’s side of the family spent the weekend together at the cabin, + the days there looked like slow pontoon rides at dawn + dusk, LOTS of cooking out (+ eating!), paddle boarding, hammock naps, card games, jet skiing, yard games, swimming, waterskiing, + too many Windmill Ice Cream Shop runs ; ) Sounds like something you don’t want to leave, right?! We had a wedding on Saturday in Madison + immediately after, we headed home to pick up Vivian, Shane, Devon, + Koda … then we took off for the Northwoods!! We arrived up north just after midnight + we able to wake up the next morning in Wisconsin’s version of paradise : ) hehe!! We were only at the lake for two days + the time was just too, too short!

I’ll be honest, I REALLY wanted to unplug + not think about work while we were there since we have such a busy summer with few breaks (so I’m FULLY embracing the breaks, ha!) — so I didn’t take that many pictures! And because of that, I’m sharing the tiniest sliver of our weekend away. I hope everyone else had as equally a relaxing + family/friend-filled holiday weekend : ) Happy Monday!!

Lots of paddle boarding!! The dogs LOVED it!

A local restaurant on the water that attracts LOTS of vacationers!! : )

My uncle Boyd — our captain for the weekend! : )

Jumping off the trestle!

Some of the bridges over the lake are so low (or the water is so high — you decide ; )!!) that we had to duck so our heads wouldn’t hit!! 

Caleb’s dad, Steve, + his soon-to-be wife, Andrea! : )