Gateway to Summer!

It seems like for most Americans, Memorial Day weekend marks the official start of summer & we are no exception...we couldn't wait to get down to the lake house & open up our 2011 lake season! After a long & busy Friday with work (Jeff), school/Costco/packing (me & the kids), we finally got all loaded up & on our way down to the lake around dinnertime. The sky had opened up late afternoon & it continued to downpour the whole way, but our spirits were not dampened one bit, our excitement was all we needed! We got there, got unloaded, got semi-settled & tried to get the kids to bed...most were tired, but Drew fell asleep on the way down, so he was super charged & stayed up past 11:00 pm!

Thankfully, everyone slept pretty well & no one woke up super early. We started our Saturday morning at a leisurely pace, had some breakfast & then got ready to go out on the lake...suits, sunscreen, towels, water, snacks, life jackets...and about an hour later we were on the water!

 The kids were super excited to try out the new tube we bought a few weeks ago.

 Even Darcy wanted to be on the inaugural ride!

 Lucy was happy as a clam on the boat enjoying the breeze!

 The captain & his first mate!

 Kids enjoying the ride

 Boating is hard work...makes you tired!

 Being silly!

 Having fun!

 Good times!

 Look Ma, no hands!

 It's unanimous, the new tube is a hit!

 Tuckered out!

 Sweet pea!

 We were probably out on the lake a good 2 hours Saturday & everyone had fun, but it wore them out! (Darcy is under the towels sleeping!)

Enjoying some refreshment on the way back in...and just as our boat pulled up to the dock, Jeff's sister & "the cousins" pulled into the driveway!

 The second half of the day brought more boating & tubing, kayaking (even the dog got a ride!), swimming, jumping, splashing & more!

 After dinner & baths, fishing was next on the list!

Sophie caught a little catfish on her first try! 

Drew had fun crawling in & out of the kayak! 

Sophie learning that fishing isn't always so easy...it's more about patience... 

Or trying a different location! 

Lucy enjoyed hanging out with her cousins, too! 

While the kids were fishing, Jeff got a nice fire going in the fire pit...and you know what that means...

 Roasting marshmallows!

 Now this is an activity that Drew can wrap his mouth around!

 Everyone enjoys a nice toasty, gooey, marshmallow!

 Jack & Sophie are still fishin'

 Sophie's waiting to catch the big one!

 Jack wants to fish in peace without mom taking pictures!

Jack's first catch...he ended up catching 3 fish!

And when it grew too dark to fish, and all tummies were puffy from too many marshmallows...bedtime, thank goodness! It was a full & wonderful day...and there was still lots more fun to come!

 Sunday dawned clear & hot! Everyone wasted no time getting right to more boating, tubing, rides on the jet ski, rowing the kayak,

 & just plain ol' jumping off the dock!

 Jump, swim to ladder, climb up, run fast walk around to the big dock...

 and repeat!

 Show me your best moves!

 Sophie was truly having the best time at the lake! She had been talking all week at school about going to the lake, her excitement was evident...and the weekend did not disappoint!

 Hey look! Even Darcy was coaxed into jumping off of the high dock with Emily holding her hand! 

(She usually won't even jump off the little dock into someone's waiting arms!)

Look Mommy, I did it! 

Quadruple jump! 

Jack missed out on all the fun jumping off the dock :-( 

 And he definitely didn't want his picture taken!

 Miss Lucy-lu was happy as could be enjoying some love from the grandparents!

 With the little ones down for naps, we took to the water again for more tubing with the cousins!

 This time we pulled the tube behind the speed boat for a really fun ride!

 Piggie toes, guess whose?

 Darcy decided to let the bigger kids tube while she caught up on some beauty rest!

 Time to switch riders...

 It was the dads turn to ride the tube!

 Catching a little air!

Relaxed & kickin' back 

More boats out on the lake made for a wild & bumpy ride! 

It's all good! 

Uh-oh, we're losing Uncle Tom! 

We pulled into a little cove & everyone enjoyed a little dip in the lake to cool off before we headed back. By then Darcy was ready to brave the tube again, especially if she could ride with Daddy! 

I wonder what they were talking about? 

And then it was Aunt Kelly's turn with her girls! 

Just a lazy Sunday afternoon drive...

 ...but hold on tight!!

 Back at the dock, the welcome wagon awaits!

 Our greeters!

After a hard day of playing, you need a good dinner...steaks, baked potatoes, fruit salad, pasta salad & bread were on the menu to recharge everyone's batteries! 

Drew enjoying the best seat in the house! 

Sweet Lucy was a gem & so easy going all weekend! 

 After dinner, what could be better than a nice relaxing boat ride to get ice cream!

Darcy says Ice Cream, please! 

All the girls! 

First mate is a little worn out! 

Sun is setting... 

breeze is blowing... 

life is good! 

Sisters sharing a sunset 

 Cousins playing a game

Jack wanted to take some pics, so he took probably the only picture of me all weekend! 

 Jack also captured this sweet moment...

 ...and this beautiful sunset!

 Monday brings more fun, but also time to begin cleaning up & putting things away...the kids enjoyed time playing outside in the water supervised by Jeff & Pop...while the ladies worked inside packing suitcases &restoring some order to the house. The cousins had to leave a little earlier because they have exams this week, but thankfully we did not have to rush back home.

 Zoe loves the lake, too!

 Pop & Nana

We enjoyed a nice late afternoon boat ride, followed by dinner. After that, we loaded up the cars, got the kids into their jammies & headed for home. A wonderful weekend coming to a close...

There was some bickering when we were getting loaded up, so I told the kids we were going to have some quiet (no movie & no songs) for the first part of the ride home. I'm thankful that it worked out that way because we weren't on the road one minute when we started talking about what Memorial Day is all about...remembering those who have given their lives for the freedom we so readily enjoy in this great country. We talked about why nations go to war, what it means to be free and what it means to not have freedom. We talked about the sinful nature of man that is at the root of war, and yet causes us all to want to put ourselves first and how it is hard to put others first. We talked about the sacrifices our soldiers & their families make in order to protect our freedom & to help fight for those in other parts of the world who would love to be free. We talked about resisting evil, standing strong for righteousness & what it means for a nation to turn away from God. We talked about the importance of Christian parents raising their children to know, love & serve Jesus (Sophie was actually the one who mentioned this thinking of her own children one day!) We talked for a good half hour or more & then we all sang out to the local Christian radio station the rest of the way home. It was such a sweet time of true connection. Out of all of the wonderful fun we had all weekend, I think the ride home was my very favorite part! Now I'm looking forward to many more trips to the lake this summer...not just for the water fun, but for the hour plus car ride each way! Thank you, God, for my precious family & God bless the USA!