Fall Birthday Celebration at Lake Kachess

Every September our family gathers to celebrate five fall birthdays: Rachel's, Kristen's, Rebekah's, Chris's, and Jenny's. This year we thought it might be fun to take our party to the mountains, for a special overnighter at our friends' Lake Kachess House. It was a great little getaway for all of us, with amazing views of the lake and mountains, spectacular star-gazing on Saturday night under clear skies, delicious food, and, of course--the best company. Enjoy these snapshots of our time together!

our lodgings for the night

arriving and enjoying the gorgeous sunshine!

Four-wheeling!

Jeff & Jenny

Chris & Rebekah (& Josie)

Kyle & Kristen

Bryan & Rachel

Paula's first four-wheel ride

Grandma's too!

All of the little ones took turns riding with the dads and uncles.

It wouldn't be a Gough birthday celebration without Steve's 12-string guitar!

enjoying the fall feast--a delicious dinner & dessert prepared for us by Paula

the birthday cake

this is where we spent the evening, giving and receiving gifts, laughing and talking in front of the kitchen's cozy fireplace, kids running around, a baby and toddlers being held and snuggled

the next morning, after breakfast and coffee, we took the four-wheelers down to the lake

the stunning fall colors were just beginning to appear here and there

the guys made a game of throwing rocks into the stump just off-shore

Miles could've sat there throwing rocks all day

while waiting for the four-wheelers to return, Rachel chased Evan and Miles,

and Kyle visited with Amelia

What a fun time!

(I'm pretty sure Grover thought so, too!)

Thanks, Paula, for making our fall birthday weekend such a blessed, relaxing time! We all love you so very much! xoxo, Kristen