Summer Memories...Love the Lake (part 3)

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...I feel like the Little Engine that Could tonight...I SO did not want to blog tonight, just wanted to go to bed a bit earlier...but the thought of making it this far, 29 days, and then quitting on the 30th was too much...so I'm following the path of the little blue engine & keeping going! Journey back with me for yet another look at some of our lake fun this summer...

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I know that you are wondering what could be even better than spending lazy summer days at the lake...well I will tell you, spending active, fun-filled days at the lake with lots & lots of good friends! This summer we were able to invite the families from our Sunday School class to the lake for a day of fun, food, and all kinds of lake fun! We ended up with 16 adults, 26 kids & a whole lot of splashing, bouncing, jumping, zooming, floating, diving, & smiling! My parents also came down to help keep track of everyone (thank you Grandpa & Yaya!!) And when I wasn't busy running around making sure everyone was having fun, I was trying to snap pictures...it was impossible to capture all the fun (and I didn't get to go out on the boats to take any pics of people out on the water), but I think I did a pretty good job of capturing the energy & joy of the day!

We invited people to come starting around 10 am & stay all day as long as they'd like. Our kids were SO excited for everyone to get there, they could hardly stand waiting!

Sweet friends

A moment to relax on the hammock

Lots of people=lots of fun 

(and lots of eyes/hands to make sure everyone stayed safe, praise God!)

Cute photo ops!

Pure joy!

Pure sweetness!

Loaded up & ready to go!

To maximize time on the water & give all the kids lots of time on the tubes, we had both boats running all day...until the pontoon boat just stopped :-(

The kids (& several of the parents, too!) enjoyed rides on the tubes...rougher rides on the red tube & ski boat, slightly gentler rides on the blue tube behind the pontoon boat...fun rides either way!

Staying hydrated!

Ready to ride! 

Made in the shade!

The last time we had a lake day, we had a pot-luck lunch. This time, in order to maximize time in the water & also to allow people to come & go as best fit their schedules/naps/etc., I asked everyone to bring a picnic lunch for their own family. Then instead of sharing one big meal together, people were able to feed their kids when they were hungry & needed a break. It also meant less time in the kitchen preparing food...and more time in the water! We did still have lots of desserts & food to share, so no one went hungry as far as I know! I also made over 3 gallons of lemonade & kept plenty of water & juice boxes flowing!

Lunch break!

Taking a lake break to have a water balloon fight!

Lucy got lots & lots of attention & love!

Heading out for a jet-ski ride!

Loading up for round 2 on the speed boat

Adorable!

Hold on tight!!

Here we go!

Loading up for round 2 on the pontoon boat

All smiles!

You take a picture of me & I'll take a picture of you!

Bouncing!

Just looking cute!

Drew checking on Lucy

Water fight!

Kayak rides

More water balloons!

And more water balloons...

And still more water balloons...as soon as we could get them filled up, kids were throwing them! 

(Next time I need to do a little more prep work in the water balloon department & have a big cooler full ready to go!!)

One of the best parts of the day was just hanging out, talking to one another, laughing & enjoying all of the great people that make our class so special. I am SO thankful for all of the wonderful friends in our Sunday school class & it is always a pleasure spending time with them!

My favorite yummy jello "watermelon"

(I shared the recipe last summer here.)

The sign of a fun day...lots of life jackets drying in the sun!

Drew just occupied himself playing both in & out of the water!

Lucy enjoying a special moment with Grandpa

And that's going to wrap things up pretty good! 

(Or at least that is where my pictures stop! People began heading home mid-to-late afternoon as their kids got tired...several couples stayed until dinnertime & we ordered take out...apparently everyone ordered food from the same place because we waited an hour on our food & then only half of it was right..but that's another story!  The important thing is that we had a great day & I'm pretty sure it is safe to say, a great time was had by all!)

And they devoted themselves to the teaching and the fellowship, 

to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Acts 2:42