My Favorite Time of Year

Dear Elijah,

I just wanted to take a moment to tell you about my favorite time of the year. The most exciting part is that this year-I am sharing it with you!!!
For over 30 years, your Grandma Barb and Grandpa Bob have rented the same cabin up in Conover, Wisconsin. The cabin itself is not all that special as far as amenities, layout or technology-but it is so very special in all of our hearts because each year it is the same and continues to be a fun, memory filled spot.
Usually the trip started out by me having to sit in between my brother and sister (Your aunt Sarah and uncle Greg) in the hot, sticky car for 4-5 hours and wait, wait, wait to get to that gravel driveway! We used to bet 50 cents on what exact minute we would arrive. The winner got the quarters to play video games! We always took one walk through the cabin (yes, always the same) and then out to the dock to look at the lake, boats, island etc. Grandpa Bob puts in his boat and the vacation has begun!
Man, if those walls of that cabin could talk-it would be laughing with the many stories of the different things that have gone on in that cabin. The vacation is not magical, we do the basics: fish, eat, sleep/nap, read, chat, ride in the boat, swim, go to a movie etc.
And every year is different! Your cousins (who you will meet for the first time) have been there before but never when they were as small as you! At 5 weeks of age, you may be the youngest member to ever stay-which means you get to do whatever you want-scream, fuss, poop, throw up, giggle (PLEASE) and smile and take it all in! You are too young to get in the boat or jump off the dock, but you will observe all the others doing these things while being in the arms of many who love you! You are going to meet some of the Kendrick family and some of the Glatzel family-both groups of people who will be a big part of your life.
I've been working hard this whole week to pack correctly for you-so I hope I have everything you need. I'm so excited to share this family tradition with you.
Love, Mom