Why We Opened Up Yaya's by the Lake

After more than 15 years of family memories in this house, opening it up to guests wasn’t a decision we took lightly.

Yaya’s by the Lake has been a backdrop to so many milestones. Our youngest took his very first steps here. All three of our boys have grown up exploring the backyard, sledding down the golf course in winter, and falling asleep to the sound of the wind through the pines. We even spent part of the pandemic living here full-time, and while it wasn’t always easy, it deepened our connection to the space.

As our lives have evolved and the boys have gotten older, the house has sat empty more often than we’d like. We started to realize it might be time to share it.

We didn’t want to hand the keys over to just anyone. We wanted to do it in a way that still honored what this place means to us: thoughtfully, intentionally, and with the same warmth that’s always filled these rooms.

The kitchen was already fully stocked—not because we were preparing to rent it out, but because we treated this place as a true home and filled it with everything we needed to live, cook, and gather as a family. The baby gear, games, and little conveniences are just part of life with three kids, and we’ve kept them in place for other families to enjoy.

This isn’t just a rental. It’s a home with history, and we’re excited to see new memories made here too.

Thanks for being part of the story (and yes, helping cover a few teenager-sized expenses along the way).

xo,

Maryanne