We had a staycation with our adult children and their families. It was so much fun, we want to do it annually.

"A yearly family get-together had been in discussion for years Planning started with food Breakfasts were more relaxed, with people getting up at different times and making their own, but we did manage to host a pancake breakfast and serve bacon and eggs a few times. We gorged on field-picked strawberries at every meal. When the heat was bearable, we dined on our deck overlooking a lush valley, a quiet little creek, and friendly birds."

"Day two was Canada Day, so our third son had the day off and joined us with his 1-year-old. The all-boys crew of five proudly wore matching red T-shirts printed with a white maple leaf. The weather was sweltering, so we set up a 30-foot inflatable slip 'n slide that we had gotten for the occasion. Needless to say, it was a hit. The kids also blasted each other with refillable silicone water balloons while the adults and babies chilled and chatted in the breezy shade."

"The night of our first campfire, we had the good luck of having a thunderstorm blow through. Safely sheltered in the garage, we were awed by an amazing sound and light show. The kids squealed at each streak of lightning and boom of thunder as the rain pelted down. After the danger had passed, the kids ran in and out of the rain as it petered out. Then, in sudden calm appeared a movie-magic sparkling rain"

One son camped in the yard during his children's swimming lessons, and hosting the extended family at the house provided flexible arrangements. A yearly family get-together centered on shared meals and relaxed breakfasts, including pancake breakfasts, bacon and eggs, and field-picked strawberries at every meal. Outdoor dining overlooked a lush valley, a quiet creek, and friendly birds. Canada Day included matching red T-shirts, a 30-foot inflatable slip 'n slide, and refillable silicone water balloons. A variety of outdoor toys, bike rides, and a trail with a covered bridge kept children engaged. A thunderstorm interrupted a campfire, producing a dramatic light-and-sound show and sparkling rain afterward.

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