This summer we decided to switch things up and head north instead of south to visit my cousins in Georgia. Their lake house is on a beautiful peninsula on Lake Sinclair, a couple of hours outside of Atlanta.
We usually go to South Florida for the 4th, but we finally accepted my cousins’ offer to visit them at the lake and it was unforgettable! The July 4th holiday was about to be changed from beach to lake and we were so excited to spend time with family and experience “Lake Life.” It really was an amazing experience!
Traveling North
Our plan was to drive up the whole way on Sunday morning, but after we did everything we needed to around the house and were all packed up, we were too excited to wait. So we decided to start our vacay early and drive halfway. We found the perfect road-side hotel right between an Olive Garden and a Starbucks. It made the rest of the drive Sunday a breeze.
The Lake House – Day 1
When we arrived at the Lake House, my cousin, Adam, was there to greet us and we started the vacation pretty much right away. It was such a beautiful location on the Lake.
Once the Jet Skies were out, it was time to hit the water! The kid’s had never been on one before and they loved it! We explored the lake, grabbed the boat from the marina, floated in the lake and got acquainted with the house for most of the day.
That night we boated to a nearby restaurant on the water for dinner and watched fireworks on the way home. It was such a beautiful night and a great day 1!
The Lake House – Day 2
The next day, Adam’s wife Trisha and the kids were heading over and Rylee and Reece were so excited to see them. They were finishing up an important swim meet that day and couldn’t make it Sunday, which we were so proud of them for.
After an hour of jet skiing again in the morning, it was time to take the boat out for a little tubing. These kids of mine absolutely love the water. Once they went around a few times, Adam found us a nice little bay to anchor in and then, my favorite thing happened. Jumping off the boat and floating. It was so much fun!
In the afternoon, we headed over to the marina and picked up the rest of the family on a little boat ride. And from then on, the kids pretty much never saw us again. I kid, I kid. But Rylee and her two new besties were pretty much inseparable.
That night, there was a special dinner planned. Make your own sushi! With dumplings to start, my favorite! ❤️ Even the kids loved it!
The Lake House – Day 3
The next day was the 4th! We chilled in the morning and watched a little bit of Independence Day, which is a household favorite in the Johnston home. And I think we turned my cousins onto it, too. (Sadie you better finish it!)
It was another day on the lake, boating and tubing. Who can beat it! The kids had a blast and it was so much fun to have our families together more than anything.
And of course lots of time in the lake.
We made a fire that night and rode out on the boat to watch the fireworks display, all while the girls were blasting their lungs singing Taylor Swift songs and Katy Perry’s “Firework.” It was hilarious.
The Lake House – Days 4 + 5
There definitely wasn’t a lack of things for the kids to do at the Lake house. The next day the boys went on an RTV ride and the girls went on the jet skies. We also saw Hudson and his friends do some wake boarding and it got Reece interested, but not ready to try it yet.
The girls needed a little break from the water, so we all went into town to do a little shopping, and that was of course a blast. We also picked up my Aunt who was visiting for a bit and it was so nice having her!
Reece wanted to drive all the things, and Adam did not disappoint. He was in heaven.
We ended the night with s’mores and one last box of fireworks to celebrate the holiday.
The Lake House – Day 6
On the last day at the Lake House, we tried to jam in all the things we didn’t get to do yet. I did a little paddle boarding in the morning. And Reece got a chance to try knee boarding. He picked it up right away and didn’t want to leave after discovering that. Of course on the last day! (Well, there is always next time, since Rylee has already asked to come to the lake house for her Birthday next year. Ha!)
It was our last day at the lake house, but that didn’t mean our adventure was over. Trish and Adam had invited us back to their home near Atlanta for dinner and a Candlelight: Tribute to Coldplay show. It was really interesting and fun, and the dinner was amazing. The Iberian Pig, a Spanish tapas restaurant with food too good, it went before I could snap a photo.
We had breakfast before we left with the family and had to say our goodbyes to hit the road for the long trip back. It was so hard to say goodbye!
This vacation was so much fun and the location was beautiful. But there was nothing better than seeing family, seeing the kids bond and spending time together. It made us realize how much we miss each other and love hanging out and we are already thinking and planning the next time we can see them. I hope it’s soon! (Hint: Adam + Trisha, let’s plan it soon! 🙂 )
So wonderful!