Sam Went To The Lake

Grampa took Sam, Erika and Alli to the lake today.  He had a wonderful time.  His eyes just lit up when he found out he was going to be able to go on a boat!

 High Fiving after tubing.....

 Sam and Grampa

Next is driving the boat.

Alli's Volcanic Eruption!

Alli created a Volcano land with background and active volcanoes. :) She colored the vinegar with red food coloring so the lava would look real. :)  Her volcanoes were made out of clay.  She put baking soda down the shaft of each volcano and then poured in the dyed vinegar. 

Alli is a hands on sorta girl.  She really enjoys arts and crafts and any kind of science experiment.  We are not studying volcanoes right now, but instead nutrition.   So, since we really don't have much to "create" with nutrition, other than lunch..... Volcanoes were the project of the day. :)

I don't think Puppy appreciated being kept in her crate.... She wanted some volcano time! :)

On a side note..... Bella went boating and enjoyed the water!

Bella and her Four Little Women. :)

A Special Moment

I didn't get a movie this time. I thought I was taking a movie, and instead I was taking a picture. I was using Erika's camera, AND, when I jumped in the lake, I jumped in with my famous glasses that are now gone. :(
So, I couldn't see to push the right button. LOL
It is funny, how something seemingly mindless, like water sports can bring about sweet moments that bring us together with each other and with our creator.
We can worship in everything we do, and I believe Erika understands this concept very well.

Yesterday, Erika went back on the knee board. But this time, daddy didn't stay in the water with her or help her up on the board. This time, she did it all herself.

We watched her struggle to get on that board, and get herself positioned so she could hang on. She fell off more than enough times, but didn't ask for help. And then, she got up and pulled herself to the right spot, got her rope positioned correctly and said, "GO! NOT TOO FAST!"

And we were off. It was the longest ride in history. We wound up going at a normal speed, which actually makes it easier to handle the board, and she moved all over the place and turned her body to make the board go different directions. At one point, I thought she would fall going through a bunch of waves made by a different boat, but no, she hung on.

After 20 minutes, she was still hanging on. I couldn't believe it...! There she was back there mouthing words I couldn't hear, and it seemed like she was singing. :)

She was gliding through that water like a happy fish, with the full freedom to fly, and she knew it. She was savoring every moment.

She finally let go of the rope because her hands couldn't hold the rope any longer and we all cheered at a great ride!

So what was she singing?
"In me there is strength to move mountains, In me, there is strength to walk on water, if I just believe the way and the truth and the life."

And just like our Heavenly Father, her daddy watched over her carefully in the rear view mirror to make sure she was ok.

For My Kind....

What is my kind? The Over 50 crowd that can't seem to ski after almost 20 years out of the water. :)
I am laughing a bit..... My back feels fine, my hips feel fine, my neck feels fine.... and Mike has a sore hip for the first time. I know I shouldn't laugh, but, it is sorta funny, since I have the broken down wreck of a body. :)



WHOOOO_HOOOOOO!

Leaving

Tomorrow morning, Katie and Jodie will be leaving for Albuquerque. Katie has been a huge part of our lives since she and her momma became part of the family 9 years ago.

Jodie is an awesome mother and she is a very dedicated Radio Program worker. ( I don't know the title) But she has been transferred to ALBUQUERQUE NM!

Chuck and Lillian will stay behind for 3 weeks, and then join them in Albuquerque.

I am sad, happy for them, and sorrowful at the loss of 2 grand daughters who live close by and have been such a big part of our lives. :(

I am so thankful for the time we have had! (and that stupid mouse is chewing again!)

I pray that this move will be great for all of them. We are going to miss them terribly!

Tonight, we took Kate out on the lake. She has never been in a boat. She did awesome!

The Maiden Voyage

We finally went out on the boat. Mike has been working on getting it ready, and today was the day. I must say that I am not much of a boat person myself. I grew up near the ocean, and enjoyed swimming in the waves, close to shore! The lake is very close to us, so it makes sense to use the boat there.
I have always had this fear of boat ramps. What if the truck goes in the water? What if I can't get it out?
So today I conquered my fear and drove the truck away from the boat ramp after they embarked and then back up the boat ramp after they put the boat back on the trailer.

We didn't get out until around 7:00, so Anna was the only one with success! Mike tried water skiing, but didn't manage a good ride this time. It has been a long time. :)

Anna did great. Then, we let the girls swim off the side of the boat until the sun was going down. I only got a couple of pictures, as I was hanging on for dear life.
More fears to conquer.

I must add to this post:

The foster family that had Anna before us were huge on water sports. They had boats and jet skis and went to the lake OFTEN....
So when Anna had her first summer with us, she said, "Where is the boat?"
I replied, "We don't have a boat?"
The look on her face was priceless.... "WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DON'T HAVE A BOAT????"
LOL I still smile when I think about that. :)