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QC09032015

80 The Queens Courier • buzz • SEPTEMBER 3, 2015 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com VICTORIA SCHNEPS-YUNIS vschneps@gmail.com A wondrous week - close to home It was a glorious week with the bright hot summer sun in all its glory as we gathered for a week of cousin love. The surprise of the week was a wonderful visit to the home of my brother Bob and his wife B.J. They have created a unique, tranquil home filled with multiple gardens, streams, lily ponds and a pergola on their 4-acre yard in the woods of Easthampton. They made our family of 12 a sumptuous lunch under the pergola and then we all retreated to their lushly landscaped pool. They have spent decades creating unique landscapes within their property where in every corner, it feels like a work of art has been created out of plants and streams. The kids were entranced when they saw the large treehouse in the woods. As they ran toward it, they cried, “This is the best place ever.” They climbed up the large, two-story treehouse that had been built for Bob’s boys, Walter and Danny, more than 20 years ago. It was a unique experience. The kids adored using the pulley to bring pinecones up to the top of the treehouse and running up and down, while 3-year-old Hudson loved swinging on the swing as he watched his laughing cousins. That was just one of the immeasurable memories I experienced during this weeklong getaway. Another such memory came when we rented a boat to go tubing off Shelter Island. From the moment the kids slid onto the rubber tubes, their smiles lit up the already golden day. Round and round they went tirelessly for hours. Only after 3 hours when 4-year-old Addy said, “I’m tired. I want to go back,” did I give the others the 5-minute call and pack it in. Sweet Addy slept in her mother’s arms through the turbulent ride back to Hampton Bays. To finish the weekend, all the “older” kids, Blake, Morgan, Jonah and Addy, participated in “Olympic Games” at my co-op. I don’t think I’ve laughed so hard in years. As they rowed across the pool racing in two teams going round and round instead of end to end, they worked ferociously to get to the goal line. They all won trophies as they triumphed at each of the activities. What fun! What joy! But for all their fun, I felt like the biggest winner having my dearest children and grandchildren all to myself for a precious week. As they each left for their journey home, I couldn’t help but hold back tears. Here’s to next year’s vacation — same time, same place! victoria’s secrets tweet me @vschneps Blake, Addy, Jonah and Morgan with their “Olympic Games” trophies Hudson and his dad Josh enjoying the pool at the house I rented for the week Dynamic $1500 off Lumineers $500 off Invisalign DENTAL WORK Free Whitening included the inViSiBle WAy to Some excluSionS Apply StrAighten teeth third generation dentist 175-15 Jamaica avenue, Jamaica 718-297-4100 • 718-297-4106 Sisters at Cowbay, a restaurant perched on the canal serving superb food The kids swirled in the rubber raft A tranquil spot that my brother and sister in law created on their 4 acres in Easthampton


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