I said that I would post more about our time at the lake so here it is. We spent a few days at the lake (Heber Springs) with Larry's family. It's Larry's father's side of the family that have a house....no, not a house, not really sure the exact term... you'll see what I mean in the pictures below. It's pretty amazing when I think about it. Not amazing because of the way it's decorated or because it's bigger or better than anything you could imagine. The reason I say amazing is because it's a house that Larry's father and his siblings built to provide them with a place they could all come to and spend some time together. Larry Sr. (my Larry is obviously a Jr.) is one of I think....fourteen. One of fourteen...can you imagine? I can't. Well, I can't imagine having fourteen children, but I get an idea of the craziness and what it might have been like when we visit "The Rutledge Lodge" as my kids call it.
I admire this very large family for the way that they keep in touch and put a lot of emphasis on staying connected to one another. This house has provided the family with a great gathering place and given a lot of people some really fun memories! Yes, it's a busy place to be...Yes, you have to wait on a bathroom...Yes, it's not easy to sleep all packed in....Yes, it requires team effort and everyone doing their part to get meals ready and the kitchen cleaned up afterwards.... Yes, it takes a beating with that many people coming in and out (I've actually been there with about 75 other "Rutledges" at one time!). However, it serves it's purpose! It's purpose...to provide a place for a family of fourteen along with their spouses, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren to be together and continue building great memories.
My kids love coming here to the lake and seeing their cousins. I laugh at my Larry when he sits and tries to remember who's who and what's the name of so and so's daughter, etc. Can you imagine trying to keep up with that many family members? My mom is one of seven and my father one of six....such "small" families they have in comparison to this one.
So, here are some pictures that might give you a better idea of how this whole thing works. By the way....you will notice there is ONE HUGE sleeping room and only TWO bathrooms! Sounds crazy I know....it is! In a good way. So kuddos to the Rutledges for making time spent with family (A BIG FAMILY) very important!
Larry and his cousin William cooking breakfast. Biscuits and Gravy always...and meat! Notice the can of Crisco on the stove...wouldn't be good southern cookin' without it!
Head down these stairs and the dirt path and you reach the water. This is where everyone is most of the time. The kids had a blast with the Sea Doo and boat...tubing.
The kids having fun with water balloons.
The back deck.
The BIG sleeping room. Yes, there are Queen size bunk beds that line the walls. Hand built...I guess that would be "customized" Queen Bunks.
The Living Room.....Otherwise known as "The Card Playing Room".
I know....you've never seen or heard of anything like it. That's why it's pretty amazing. Wanna go?
