lake time

We didn't spend as much time on the lake as we usually do due to a cool and rainy spring and summer. Plus Carter had a torn hamstring for the first part of the summer.  We got a paddle board this year to add to our collection.  We can now have the whole family out with 3 in kayaks, one on the paddle board and Claire catching a ride with someone.  We all have really enjoyed the paddle board.

One day we paddled to some 10-12 foot cliffs near our house and talked Claire into jumping off.  After trying to talk her into actually jumping off the cliff she decided she wanted me to hold her hand and jump with her.  Bad idea.  I jumped. She didn't. So she landed on her side.  Lesson learned.

Boat wise, the boys really got good with the surfing this year.  Carter and Jared can stay in the wake/pocket and just get pushed by the wave for as long as they want.  They can ride up and down the wave like you see in the ocean.  Allen still struggles to stay in the pocket for more than a few seconds (he is blaming the board-too small for his height) and I just enjoy holding on to the rope.  Claire tried many times but has yet to really get it.

bye-bye summer, bye-bye boat

As the summer ends and we are in the throngs of school, soccer and cross country, it's almost time to say good-bye to our boat. We still have about a month left of good boating weather, but because of said activities, our time on it has been less and less. Because of Allen's job, we don't travel a lot in the summer. And so we spend a lot of time on the boat. We have made some of the best memories on our boat. And so I am posting some favorite pictures and telling some favorite times: Jared's big grin when he got up and stayed up on the wake board. Allen's grin as he improved his jumps this year. Claire on the knee board as Jared held it steady behind her, the kids on the tubes-they love to do "tricks" when it is going slow enough. And Carter loves to do a "crazy ride" where he and his tube will be perpendicular to the water and he still holds on. (He is the daredevil of the family) Swimming around with my family in our not so pretty lake. Watching beautiful sunsets. It was a great summer...I can't wait until next year.