Loving the lake!

We had a fabulous day on the lake yesterday. We were out multiple times. Used the "Big Mable" (our big 3 person inflatable that we got from Harbor for free!). The kids are getting warmed up on that one. It's nice because they can go on that and not get at all wet (the water is pretty decent, but I wouldn't call it warm). Plus, it's easy for an adult (or two) to go along with them. So far the best combo appears to be Mommy on one side, Auntie Jane on the other, and a kid in the middle. We went over and had ice cream at the little store after lunch, and then towed a stranded boat back to the other end of the lake. We also did some skiing. It's a learning process. Cyndie tried a few times, but didn't get up. Her back really started hurting her though, so she quit. I was able to get up on two skis. We'll maybe try the wake board next.

The kids have also enjoyed just swimming around the dock using the Big Mable as a boat/island. They've been working together really well with that, even taking Auntie Jane for a ride. Jane's place doesn't currently have a dock. Her neighbor/friend is getting it replaced. Fortunately, the neighbor is nice enough to let us use their, and it's a nice one. It has a good place for the boat, and a nice swimming area.

The other activity that we did was go town to the camp that I grew up at (My dad managed it from when I was 7 to 13). We wandered a round a little, played mini-golf, and then spent time at the waterfront. Emma really likes the waterslide, and both of the kids liked swimming out to the raft in the swimming area.

So that was the day's activities. The weather was beautiful ... upper 70s with a little breeze and mostly sunny. Last night it stormed, and it's been really windy so far today, so the extent of our activity has been to watch cartoons and eat! The sun is just coming out, so we'll see if the wind dies enough for us to do any boating!

Getting one out there ...

Since I've not been real consistent with this thing, I figured I'd just get at least a short one out there ... maybe get back in the habit or something.

We made the drive to my sister Jane's place in Iowa yesterday. Left at 5:45a, got in around 12:45. It was a surprisingly good drive! The weather was beautiful, so we popped the boat right in and hit the waters. Did some "tubing" on our new inflatable (that we got for free of course thanks to Cyndie). It can hold up to 3 people. Dinner was late, then took an evening cruise with the neighbors (Jane's good friend and her son).

Today was quite the contrary ... windy, rainy. Crazy weather given yesterday's niceties! Cyndie and the kids went to the library while I worked. This afternoon the weather is breaking up and the sun is even peaking out a bit. We'll likely be out there again before too long!

I love being at the lake ... I love view and sight of the water. It's going to be a fun week!

Family night on the boat

Yesterday was a beautiful day, so when the kids got home from school, we packed up the boat and headed to the lake. It was a marvelous time. We cruised a bit, had dinner in the middle of Geneva Bay, fished for a while by Covenant Harbor (the camp my dad worked at), and Cyndie and the kids did a little "tummy"?! boarding. On the fishing front, Emma did great in needing no help to cast her line out and reel it in. Timmy did well as well (no throwing his new rod in the lake this time!). I caught a fish and had a few other nibbles as well. When the kids started getting bored of that, Cyndie pulled out the knee board and let them float around on that a little. Eventually they got brave and pushed off a ways (and then Cyndie pulled them back to the boat using the ski line). Then, to inspire them, Cyndie jumped on and we pulled her (pretty slowly) behind the boat, with her riding it like a boogie board. Emma tried that for a while (no wake, going really slow) too. I guess we'll call those baby steps. The water is still pretty cold, so I don't think that helped out at all!

Next Wednesday (the last day of school), we head to my sister Jane's house. She lives on the lake that I grew up at in Iowa. We're pulling the boat there, and we hope to have 6 or so days of boating, fishing, water sports, and hanging out with Auntie Jane! In preparation, Cyndie brought the boat to a canvas shop this morning to get bow and cockpit covers made. Good times!