Summer is never officially complete until I have traveled to Minnesota for my annual family reunion. I have to admit it felt great to leave my laptop in Arizona and enjoy the lake country without technology overdose. Here are a few snapshots of my vacation. Soon I’ll post the recipe for Honey Cucumber Lemonade that my cousins and I made all week-long!

A typical day at West McDonald Lake:
blue skies, sunshine, sandy beach and green grass.

The absolute best BLT I’ve ever tasted.
Layers of thick, salty bacon. Fresh tomatoes. Crisp lettuce. Buttery, toasted bread.

 Alexander and I loved this Cream Soda from Maple Beach Resort & Grill on Lake Lida.
P.S. Don’t you love his Olympics spirit!?

This is the third year Alexander has joined me at the lake. I am so happy he loves my family as much as I do! Here we are with a few of my little cousins at the neighborhood vegetable stand.

Liz and Alexander picking fresh apples.
It’s hard to take a bite missing a front tooth!

It’s a family tradition to indulge in caramel and cinnamon rolls from Nootzi’s in Dent, MN. Alexander and I swirled some extra caramel in our coffee and MY-OH-MY was it good.

My cousins and I in order from tallest to shortest.
We’re still missing about 14 cousins, believe it or not!

I miss the family and Minnesota sunshine already, but I am so grateful for all the fun memories we made. Do you and your family still have reunions? What are some of your traditions?

Love food | Love self | Love life … Gabriela