Water Sports and Stories II

 More photos of our wonderful time on and in the water. Such a perfect week on the water. 

Water Sports and Stories I

What would a week on the lake be without water sports and adventure. I think every day the kids were swimming in the lake but we also went boating, tubing, water skiing, jet skiing, wake boarding, tube skiing and paddle boarding. There were a lot of firsts. Addy got up on water skis for the first time! The kids drove jet skis for the first time and it was the first time Brian saw me water ski and I saw him wake board and ski. Those were all the highlights. There was also Addy's first really traumatic water moment. 

She and Izzy and been on the tube several times and their confidence was gaining so they kept telling Papa to go faster and turn harder. They had mastered the hand signals and were clearly indicating with their thumbs up sign that they wanted to go faster. As is always the case in the water, you never know how the waves will collide and on this particular turn the waves had perfectly collided in such a way that the girls looked like they were on a trampoline. The tube flew several feet in the air and when it landed it launched Addy up at least 8 feet and into the lake. Luckily both girls were fine, but they were shaken and scared and had the tears to show it. Now Addy tells the story like a badge of honor, but it definitely took a few hours before they were able to talk about it and brave enough to go back into the lake. 

Before the incident. 

After the incident. Addy swears she "passed out." I saw the whole thing and can attest she did not.

Fishin in the Day

My Dad & Kathy offered to take the kids to a nearby trout pound where they got to feed and fish for trout. I've never seen so many fish all together before. The kids loved it and luckily each of them caught 2 fish that we took home for dinner. The kids didn't do all of the work themselves at the trout farm, but for the rest of the trip when they fished at my Dad's they did it themselves! Well, to be specific Izzy did the bait and removed fish from hooks, Cameron would do the bait, and Addy would fish :) But for the first time my Dad or Brian didn't have to be on the dock doing all of the work! We've definitely entered a new chapter. 

Sleepover

 The kids had two types of sleepovers to look forward to. One with cousin Izzy (which was actually a 6 night sleepover!) and one night with Grandma and Grandpa. Scott and Wendy visited for a bit and stayed at my sister's cabin. It was great to see them and they had some fun on the water before they left too. Paddle-boarding and kayaking, it was a perfect on the lake. Family time never felt so sweet!

Basecamp

This was a new kind of trip for us in more than just the first time traveling in a pandemic. It was the first time we were just staying at one place for the full week. No packing and repacking and driving between states and fitting in as many stops as possible. One stop! 

We got to claim my sister's "tiny cabin" as our basecamp. The kids had the first floor and Brian and I got the loft. It was fun to have our own space and we felt completely pampered and spoiled. Between my dad & Kathy's cabin and my sister's they took care of our every need. Meals, snacks, drinks, dessert- the resort life extended beyond just the water activities!

The weather was absolutely perfect every day. Sunny, but not too hot, not too cold, not too windy. We ate every single meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner outside every day. The hardest part of the day was deciding which cabin and lake to make our camp for the day. Not true, that was already pre-decided, the hardest part was getting the fire started at night. Somehow we managed. 

Some pictures from Basecamp at my sister's. Not too bad a place to call home for a week.

First Stop

 After landing in Minneapolis our first stop was to see Dennis & Carrie and allow the cousins to get some quality play time in. It was a perfect afternoon and the kids were great. Etta is a natural hostess and entertainer and jumped right into playing with our kids. Ellis reminded me of Addy in that she was more cautious and skeptical and you had to earn her trust and smiles. Addy was smitten and followed her everywhere she went (even if she didn't want her to). It was so fun to catch up and see the kids together and we were lucky enough to get some great photos. 

BEST.WEEK.EVER.

 Disclaimer: this needs to be a no judgment post. I understand we are in the middle of a pandemic. I take the warnings seriously. I understand there are many unknowns ahead and everyone has a different comfort level with what is happening. So this post, and the next several (so much to tell!), are meant to help me remember just how incredibly special the last week was. 

The long story short version is that we decided to go back to the midwest and spend a week with my family and stay at my sister's cabin. In three words I would sum it up as the BEST!WEEK!EVER!

We decided to fly instead of the original road trip plan and it was very smooth. As Cameron likes to say "3 hours is way better than 3 days!" He is right! The airport and planes were not crowded, everyone was extra kind and it felt very safe and clean. For the next 7 days we were spoiled by everyone we saw, by picture perfect weather and felt the joy and relaxation that only comes with unwinding with the circle of people who love you most. 

I am not sure if it was the comparison to quarantine and COVID concerns that made it feel different but whatever it was it worked and it was one of the best weeks we've ever had. It felt normal. It felt like summer. It felt relaxing. My cup is full again.