Dear Joey and Maddox

Dear Joey and Maddox -

I want you to know how much I love going to Ely. But, I love going to Ely because I love watching you there. I love seeing you tube, watching you jump off the cliff, watching you try to ski, play in the water and much, much more.

But, here's what I want you to know about what happens before we go on vacation. Here's what I do to prepare:
* Clean our house
* Make lists of what we need in Ely
* Check all the lifejackets and sizes
* Check all the swimsuits, goggles, sunscreen & sunglasses
* Pack everyone
* Pack dog- leash, collar, food, bones, treats
* Plan one full meal for the entire island and make sure I nail the quantity
* Get groceries
* Go to bank
* Run errands
* Plan for place settings, napkins, toilet paper, paper towels, etc
* Plan for rainy days- card game, board game, etc
* Plan a bag of tricks for the 8 hour car ride
* Fill the car with gas
* Clean the car out/clear of trash
* Pick out movies that 3 children of different ages and sexes might all enjoy
* Water plants, do lawn, stop mail (your dad helps)
* Clear your schedule of camps, play dates, appointments, etc so we have a full week we can spend in Ely
* Drinks - Plan for a whole bunch of bottled water, gatorade, alcohol, caffeine-free pop, coffee, creamer, gatorade, etc
* Plan clothes for night time when it's cold and day time when it's hot
* Pack a cold cooler; Pack another thing of food
* Write up a grocery list of things we need at Zup's in town
* Pack a first aid kit of benadryl, tylenol, advil, etc.

And, once at the cabin, I do this:
* Unpack
* Put food where it should go
* Get swimsuits on and off multiple times in one day
* Get Afterbite ready for all the bug bites
* Pack drinks and snacks for fishing trips and boat rides
* Get towels ready for you every day and at the end of the night, hang out to dry for the next day
* Do laundry almost every day so that we don't have to pack heavy
* Keep cabin clean and do dishes every day
* Make you breakfast, lunch and all of the snacks every day
* Keep you warm when you are cold; and cool you off when you are warm
* Prepare you for sauna; help you get into pajamas when you get in from sauna

Your mom (and dad) do a lot of work in order for this trip to happen. Your job is to have fun and follow our limited rules we set while on vacation. But, my job is to take care of all the little things that you probably never notice while at the lake.

Why do I tell you this? Because some day, your wife and the mother of your children will be doing all of these things that you don't notice. And, you will have this opportunity to thank her and to help her. Your dad helps me a lot- I make a lot of the plans but we BOTH execute. You need to be a good husband and father by helping her prepare, pack and plan for the trip. And, it's your job to make sure that it isn't a thankless job for her - that you NOTICE what she does and you recognize her for it.

So, to Joey and Maddox's future wife- My boys are expected to help you, and they are expected to thank you. Don't settle for less, my dears. They are fully capable with two working and willing hands...make them use them! I'll see you at the cabin....love, your mother-in-law