Tuesday, September 9, 2008

McCall Retreat

I have been coming to McCall almost every year since I was about 3. Most of the time it has been a week in the summer, but there have been a few winter trips and this is where Denten and I spent our honeymoon. This place has memories around every turn. My parents started out renting the Belnap's tiny little cabin on the lake. They upgraded to renting the Full House on Shady Beach, one that was big enough for us to bring another family with us or some friends. Once this was unavailable, we found Obenchain's... it was a great house right on the water that accomodated our growing family nicely. Through all of these trips to McCall, my parents have talked about having a place of their own and have owned various pieces of property. The time finally arrived to start building... after three years of construction, it's finally finished! Well, almost finished. Finished enough to enjoy. Brad, Mel, Mom and Dad... it's fabulous, thanks for sharing this incredible place with us!
(Kimber, pics, just for you!)
kitchen

great room, sitting area


great room (if you look closely, you'll see Pete)


TV area



the pic is dark, but here is Pete, reigning over his new domain. My personal opinion is that Pete is very happy here in his new home. He fits in this enormous place sooooo much better than in our home. I love him enough to sacrifice seeing him every day so he can live here. Look at the place... wouldn't you want to live here?!



entry way

front of house


here is a pic of grandma's taxi. this little four-wheel vehicle motors grandma and the kids down to the beach and back.



front porch (grandma is working on getting her wreath hung. triple thick doors provide a little challenge for her!)






side yard for kids to play outside


back view
Seriously, the only thing missing up here is our dad! And auntie kate, uncle wade, tessa, aunt linny and uncle ben. They would be fun too. Today my mom did my laundry again and watched my kids... I told her that I just might move right in if she kept that up. She said it was a deal as long as I did the cooking. Can anyone blame me for not really wanting to go home yet?
After more than 25 years of enjoying this beautiful place, memories include my dad's bribes to water-ski, bracing myself for the freezing cold water, sunny afternoons with a book on the dock, daily trips to ice cream alley, being thrown from the tube behind the boat, hiking at Brundage, jughandle bush-whacking adventures, katelyn's short-lived obsession with jet-ski rental guy's god-like body, summer adventures with the locals, hotel mccall, biking around the lake and dinners at every place in town. I love that my children will have the opportunity to make their own memories up here as the tradition of McCall vacations continues.











15 comments:

Joni said...

It looks awesome!! Who wouldn't wanna vacation there!? :)

Amy said...

I soo want to be in McCall right now eating something fabulous from that kitchen. The babysitting & laundry are added bonuses!

Sandi said...

I adore that house. No wonder you are still there.

Lindsay said...

does cooper have his feet on the couch? mom must be asleep! it looks so good...I can't wait for my turn!

tenacious d said...

Just a little cabin in the woods--hehheh. It's beautiful! How neat that your family has that tradition and now has a place that will be your family's for years to come.

Kristi said...

What a fabulous cabin! A beautiful start for many more memories it sounds like. Have a great time!

The Hunt's said...

oh my gosh, i forgot about that guy! (sigh) he was amazing. remember when he climbed on our boat. and skied. and was out of this world good. mmm, delicious.

bryn said...

looks like the perfect vacation spot and memories just waiting to happen.

Lindsay said...

how did katelyn forget about that guy? she dreamt about him for months!

Amberly said...

Bill, his name was Bill.

Croslands said...

Thanks love it. So beautiful and worth waiting for. It's great there there is even a yard for kids to play in. That's unusual for McCall.

Unknown said...

I love that! That's how Star Valley, WY is for us. My dad has a great place up there. We asked our kids if they wanted to go to Disneyland over UEA, they voted to go to Grandpa's cabin instead. Gotta love that!

Jaime said...

WOW! What an amazing house and I see there is room to spare, so don't mind if we head on over, do ya? That is a sweet retreat - thanks for making me jealous! Have a great time!

Stephens Family said...

Man o' man....peeerrty!! VERY nice!!

Jana said...

Hello. . . I would for sure never go back home. That is a GORGEOUS place. What a great thing to have for the whole family to enjoy. Thanks for sharing.