We had a full, but fun, weekend for sure! On Friday we took the pontoon boat out for the first time. The kids had a great time on the water, and I'm pretty sure Ed and Greg did too! Saturday Greg and I worked our buns off mulching and pruning the front yard. It's half way done. Greg has to rebuild the retaining wall, because it is starting to lean. He plans to finish that project this week and then we can finish mulching and lay down the rest of the river rocks around the fence. It feels so good to get the house ready for summer! I spent Sunday morning doing my inside chores, and we went to my brother and sister-in-law's for a small picnic in the evening. We had some wicked storms on Sunday evening, but that didn't keep the kids from making s'mores and the men from playing with fire! Today we took the boat back out on the water again with our neighbors. We went swimming and tubing, ate way too much junk food and got way too much sun, but it was well worth the carb overload and pink skin! We really are lucky to live close to a lake as nice as Raystown. Growing up, I never thought much about it. It was just something that was always there. We would go there to camp every now and then, but it was just no big deal. Now, I realize and appreciate its beauty more. It's truly a gem in the middle of our little stretch of the woods! Here are the photos from our weekend - I hope every one of you had a great weekend too, in whatever way suits your style. Summer is here and the fun has begun!
My boys (all three of them) ready to take the boat out on her maiden voyage.
A short spell of brotherly love. Hey, I'll take what I can get!
"Uh...am I gonna have to look at this the whole trip?"
OK, that's not what he said. He was actually pointing at the boat's wake and said, "Mom! Look at that horsepower!"
"This woman is going to make me crazy! Somebody help me!"
"So Dad, what do men talk about when they're on the water?"
"Well, son. Real men use their time on the boat to practice their 'no-hands' roller coaster poses."
"Yep, that's right, Andrew. Just like this!"
Taking that boat hair into the water.
"Come on in, Mom. The water is warm!"
Kids have a much better tolerance for cold water than adults.
"Jake, let's have a water fight!"
"I'm leaving those two behind me. I like peace and quiet."
Pap likes peace and quiet too...unless he's the one talking, that is! Instead of swimming, he went fishing.
So serious about learning how to swim.
I'm such a bad mother sometimes, but I have to say this - don't you think he looks like one of the minions on "Despicable Me?" It's his mouth! What a set of choppers he has!
I drove the boat! Yes, I actually drove it. This isn't a posed shot. I even went up to full throttle, after some serious pressure from my father-in-law to "crank it up all the way!"
Poor Andrew was chilly after swimming, so we bundled him. We thought he was just sitting quietly, but actually, he fell asleep sitting up!
He slept for about an hour on the boat. This kiddo is nowhere near ready to give up his naps yet. (Praise the Lord!!!)
Jake drove the boat too. This kid will be a natural handling the boats before he's 12, I'm sure.
In case you are wondering, those blocks are heavy, and shoveling stone is no picnic either!
This half of the front yard is done.
I am amazed at these plants. Last year a friend of mine gave me 36 little plants that she cut off from own yard. She told me they were fool-proof, but I had my doubts. They looked terribly straggly last year, but this spring they came back 10 times the size they were last summer! Wow! I can't take credit. I'm terrible with plants, but she was right - they thrived, despite my black thumb!
Doesn't the mulch look so nice? It was badly needed.
Getting ready to make some s'mores over the hot coals left over from dinner.
My niece, Brook is only 9 (almost 10) and she wears the same size shoe as me!
S'mores are Katelyn's favorite! Fred sticks to beer. Katelyn will graduate high school on Tuesday, and then she's off to Lock Haven University to major in education! She's a smart cookie, and such a sweet girl. We're all so proud of her!
Brooke and Andrew take shelter from the storm while they eat their dessert.
You can't tell from this picture, but we had a killer thunderstorm. The "boys" were totally amazed at the lightning and thunder. They were entertained for about 45 minutes, just watching the rain!
And when the storm lost it's appeal, they decided to burn things - like hot chocolate, flour and gasoline!
Rob, making his magic!
Even grown men still get a kick out of setting things on fire!
Andrew, I think that floatie will work better IN the water than out.
"Back off, Dad. I know what I'm doing!"
"Do you think it's OK to swallow fish poop?"
Taking the tube out for a spin.
He wasn't sure about it at first, but later he wanted to go again. I think he liked it!
Sharon and Breanna soaking up the sun!
Breanna on the tube
Holding on for dear life!
Ben's turn!
I didn't want to offend Greg, but I'm pretty sure he exceeds the wait limit on that little raft. Luckily, it held out.
What's better than a dinosaur towel for boating?
Just a note that although we spent the weekend playing, I did take time to remember our fallen soldiers. It is because of them that we are able to play. They gave all they had for our freedom, a gift that is hardly repaid by a simple word of thanks.
Back to work tomorrow. Gee, I feel like I was on vacation this weekend. It's gonna be tough when that alarm goes off at 530 tomorrow morning!
