Winter Cabin Getaway...

One of the blessings adoption had brought us (other than two beautiful daughters) is the many friendships we have developed over the past few years with other adoptive families. In particular, there is one group of friends where we get together regularly either as just the Mamas for a much needed "Mom's Night Out", or all together with our families for park play dates, summer camping weekends, bowling events, and to the swimming pool throughout the year.

In late February we joined four other families for a "Winter Cabin Getaway".

The Drinkwater Family, Winter 2012

This is the second year for the winter cabin getaway, but we were unable to tag-along last year as we were in the middle of Mary's cleft surgeries and her recovery. However, we just jumped right in this year and had a wonderful time with everyone there.

We rented a small cabin on Pillar Lake, a fishing lake just under a two hour drive away from our house. The cabin was just what we needed for our little family: one bedroom with two double beds, our own bathroom with hot water and a shower, and open area for our living room/dining area/kitchen. There was a wood stove in the middle of the cabin for heat, where Cory spent a bit of time chopping kindling and stoking the fire to keep his girls warm and toasty in their beds ;) The curtains on the windows and cupboards were the traditional red and white checkered fabric sealing the cabin ambiance!

The weather cooperated with us this year with temperatures hovering around the freezing mark, but with bright blue sunny skies making it clear and crisp outside. The weekend was filled with lots of outdoor activity time with all the kids playing together around the cabins and on the frozen lake.

Would you believe they have as much fun pulling the sled for their little friends as riding in one too?

Don't let her pint size fool you, she actually has some pretty impressive stick skills!

Group tag game of "British Bull Dog" on the frozen lake  - Thanks Mr. K for organizing the game!

Running to the other side while trying to not get tagged. No, Sylvie is not hurt. 

She is however using all her charm to convince "A" to carry her everywhere!

We had a turkey potluck dinner one night with all the trimmings (deep fried turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, grilled veggies, stuffing, buns and butter, salads and desserts ect.) and celebrated a birthday with cake too! Don't worry, we weren't cold, we had a blazing fire beside us!

The weekend was a perfect blend of time together as a family in our little cabin eating meals together and curled up on the little couch watching the fire, as well as lots of playtime for all the kids and visiting for the parents.

There were twenty kids this weekend ranging in age from one to sixteen years old and they all played together beautifully. The kindness, caring and patience the teenagers continuously shower on the little ones is so heartwarming to see, and the little ones adore playing with the big kids.         

Sylvie with one of her big friends "C"

 

Mama and Daddy staying warm by the fire...

Alas, the weekend went by too quickly and soon it was Sunday afternoon. We packed up all our gear, said our good byes and headed for home to start the many loads of laundry and showers to wash out all the campfire and wood stove smokiness out of our clothes and hair. We can't wait for next year, see you all then!