And we brought the crew!
For some reason, in all the years we’ve gone to the Lake, we didn’t find the shallow end until recently. Bill, the kids, and I hadn’t experienced it until just this year. It’s so ideal. The water’s warmer, you can see your toes, it’s a sandy bottom (once you get past the sharp rocks, that is), and there’s no seaweed! I hate lake plant life. It totally freaks me out. YUCK!
The kids loved it, their life jackets worked great! and Mom brought Bloody Marys. Perfect day on the water – Oh, I don’t drink Bloody Marys. The clams gross me out. She makes them so well, they’re more like a salad with all the greenery in them. Celery, pickles, Clamato and who knows what else.
The kids enjoyed ring pops (great idea to keep the suckers from hitting the sandy floor!!!), and helping Captain Brian steer the “ship.”
Then it was Punky’s turn!
I don’t know why, but they’re so cute running around outside in their pajamas! They found sticks for Annie to chew on – her favorite – and then I caught Alexis helping her bother land on the box while swinging from the monkey bars. Great teamwork! Why can’t they always work together?
The next day, the boys taught Noah the art of croquet. I don’t know if he mistook it for a Martial art or what, because the mallet looked more like a weapon than a tool.
AHHHH – relaxation!
Ryan was great enough to help refine Noah’s skills with the “whacker.” Noah’s term, not mine, I swear.
Brent brought the Jet Ski! This piece of machinery has been a pain in the A#@ for him! But it’s up and running again and ready for some fun!
He also brought with an extra paper lantern, which we lit after enjoying card games and some alcoholic beverages late one night.
The next morning, Alexis summoned everyone for arts and crafts at the picnic table. The boys did not disappoint.
Then it was back out onto the water. Isn’t my little sister so beautiful! She’s such a good auntie too! We’ll keep her… a little longer at least.
I’m pretty sure this was the best action shot of Dad on the Jet Ski.
Uncle Brent was great enough to take each of the little kids on a gentle ride around the lake, which was undoubtedly the best ride of their lives!!!! Smiles from ear to ear!!!
Then it was Punky’s turn! I wasn’t sure she’d actually go but she was fully ready for her turn by the time Noah got back and showed her how much fun it was.
Nope, she didn’t have fun AT ALL! HA!
Bill was the last to take a ride today and thought it would be pretty funny to splash the boat a little. We’ll let’s just say there was nothing LITTLE about the wave he sent crashing onto the boat, drenching his children and my camera. I got this shot just before I tried to turn the camera away from the water. My camera bag was soaked! Stinker!
Back on dry land and dry again, it was time for some desert and relaxation as the sun went down. Isn’t she just a peach?
Our bright and early risers got Ryan to join them on the jungle gym… and down the slide! Had to capture that one for sure!
How about some time now at the beach? We hadn’t spent much time down there all week. The pontoon and Jet Ski got more of our attention this week. The water was just so great. But now it was time to dig our toes in the scorching HOT sand.
The kids somehow got the idea and then found the bravery to jump off the edge of the dock into the shallow water. Uncle Mark was great and helped lend a hand. But as time went on, they gained courage, jumped on their own and even walked further up the dock into deeper water.
But this kid had NO FEAR! Check him out. He wasn’t just jumping, he was doing full out belly flops, sometimes face-first, into the water. I bet he was half the size of Alexis and apparently extremely comfortable with the water. For every time Alexis & Noah jumped, this kid did a belly flop.
And then it was time to go home. We ended our time at the lake a few days earlier than everyone else to give them a bit of vacation from OUR kids. Plus we needed a day to get re-situated before heading south this time and visiting Bill’s parents at Lewis & Clark.
Also, now that Alexis is in school and Noah’s not far behind, we’re thinking that next year we’ll begin taking our own vacations. I grew up doing a lot of caming and spending time outdoors for our vacations. They’re such great memories and I can’t wait for the kids to have the same experiences. We traveled days and hours from our home to beautiful places I now want to share with them. I think we’ll start a little closer to home next year though and see what the Black Hills has to offer. Any suggestions?
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