BrownJELO: "Cottage Sweet Cottage"

Josh has been attending a campground since he was a kid. The people there are like family as his family has gone at least one time each summer since he can remember. His parents inherited a cottage on the campground years ago. I went along with his family to this campground every year since 1992 (or maybe 91?). It has always been one of our favorite places to be and has since become one of our kids favorite places to be. When they think of summer...they think of Mechanic Falls. It's not summer until we go there.

The cottages here were built a long time ago and are quite...well...rustic:) There's really not much to them. Some need more work than others. Some have running water, some don't. It really doesn't matter as there is a bath house located a short distance from most of the cottages. It's considered a luxury to have water...it sure is handy:)

In the past we have gone and stayed at Josh's parents cottage but as our family grew we quickly OUT grew their cottage. We soon moved to sleeping in a tent which was easier and fun for our family. During times when we stay for a few weeks at a time (which does happen) we borrow someone else's cottage..which has worked wonderfully for us.

For years and years...I think even before having kids or being married, Josh and I have had our eye on one particular cottage. It's just our favorite on on the property. It was owned by a family that spent many years there as well and raised 5 girls who spent their summers there as well. We sort of thought that this cottage would never leave the family. We had talked about potentially buying other cottages, but we just didn't want any of the others...so really we didn't talk about it all too often.

Being members of the campground we got a letter updating us on some things...of those things, the cottages that are for sale were listed. Sure enough..the one cottage that we LOVE and thought would never be for sale was listed! As it turns out, this family was spending less and less time here and has another cottage at another campground that they spent more time at. Their kids don't live close enough to want to keep it either so they were offering it up at a price we couldn't refuse! Josh called right away....and the rest is history.

We have finally officially made the deal with the previous owners who were thrilled to be selling the place to our family. Almost like keeping it 'in the family' for them.

Our kids are beyond excited about this and can't quite get over the fact that after all these years they get to call it "our cottage". Ethan named it "cottage sweet cottage" and I think that name will stick! We are already planning 3 good weeks there this summer, plus a long weekend and then any other chances to get there we will! We headed there to check things out for the first time a couple weeks ago. It was cold and rainy out and the cottage has been closed up all winter. It was warmer outside (in the 50's) than it was inside...but that didn't stop us from totally enjoying our time there! We got a little space heater that kept us warm and otherwise just made the most of our first night!

We are counting down the days until we can get there again!

The kitchen...