With cyprus trees and gentle hills stretched out under a blue sky fluffy with clouds, Lake Chelan has become a nice summer tradition.  Waterfront homes and vineyards cluster around a lake flashing with sunbeams, and from the open porch we hear sprinklers, and the hum of a motorboat.

Mom’s birthday, a puzzle, and maybe a box of Lucky Charms are all the reason we need to drive out here.  Happy Birthday Mom!

Playing in the pool with fun noodles and grilling burgers are also nice reasons for a vacation.

And of course, there’s wine-tasting with Brint and Phyllis,

And going tubing in Uncle Brint’s boat!

Uncle Paul suggested a jet ski adventure for Jake and Eli too, which freaked me out until I decided to go with them.  The waves crashed behind us as we tore up and down the lake, past mansions and orchards, giddy with delight.  Mike is my James Bond.  Thanks Uncle Paul!  That was fun.

So was the watermelon full of Mai Tais.  I think Noelle has had one too many!

Or maybe we’ve all had one too many?

At Slide Waters, Eli had his first funnel cake and nobody drowned on the Purple Haze, and we all enjoyed a nice, bee-less float down the lazy driver.  We forgot that boys don’t wear speedos here, but with their skinny little legs, Jake and Eli still looked just like everyone else.  Super Cute!  Oma and Opa were looking great too.

Eli was a little worried about the funnel cake, thinking it might not be as good as ice cream, but that worry turned out to be misplaced.  Probably the only thing that makes a mocha almond fudge ice cream cone even better is to have it with a bite of funnel cake.

In the afternoon we swam, took naps, and worked on our tractor puzzle.  The youngest members of our group liked waking up with the roosters, which helped us all get out of the house and beat the crowds for breakfast at Blueberry Hill.  Blueberry farms feel a lot like wineries, with lovingly tended bushes all sloping in rows, shared by owners excited to sell their blueberries in whatever form they can convince people to buy.  I guess you don’t make wine out of blueberries, although I bet people would be probably be interested in buying blueberry wine for breakfast….

“Mom, it kind of looks like Italy.”  That is a wonderful phrase.  I love anywhere that looks like Italy.

Actually, I love anywhere with all these people.  Lake Chelan is just the blueberries on top.