Jamie's Journal: home away from home

Donner lake was a place we visited every summer for a 7 days growing up... then left and dreamed about returning again the next summer. Durning those 7 days we'd ride our bikes, swim in the lake, play with our blow up boat in the swim area, then play with our real boat, sun tan on the beach, play horse shoes, drink Capri-suns, play cards & relax.

In 2005, my parents bought a cabin in our favorite place... Donner Lake. For the last 7 years, that cabin has become my second home. So many memories are made inside those 4 walls. So many laughs, so many stories and most of all so much love. Our family is so lucky to have a place like that to go to where from the second you get there, you feel at home. Daddy,Connor, Radar & I took our third trip of the summer to Donner last week.

Looking back, I feel like I have grown so much inside those 4 walls. When my parents first bought it I was in high school & can remember the first night spent at our cabin. Derek, Brett & I shared a room with 4 huge beds in it and we laughed the whole night. The next day we began throwing junk outside & woke up the next morning to all the junk covered in snow... & we didn't even own the junk yet! I celebrated my 18th birthday with my 6 best friends there. In college, I can picture laying on the beach with Shannon, Connie, Joe, Aaron, Derek & my brother. I remember scrap-booking my engagement party in Donner Lake and going to Donner Lake on our way home from our honeymoon in Tahoe. I remember telling my brother I was pregnant with Connor, in Donner Lake. I remember the first time I walked through the door with Connor in hand.

Few people have a place like that... so mom & dad... Thank you. You have given us a place where memories are made and laugher occurs... Connor is one lucky boy to get to spend his summers.. and winters.. In such an amazing place!

Any post wouldn't be complete without some photos!