Scenes from the Lake: Outdoor Dining

I think hot dogs cooked over the fire are the favorite lake meal.

The s'mores aren't bad either.

Dental Visit

Sorry to interrupt the lake scene, but must keep up with my records!

The boys both received glowing reports from the dentist.  I continue to be proud of how well they do at the dentist, sitting still for an entire cleaning.  They also sit still all on their own in the waiting room while I have my appointment.  My ears are on high alert listening for any screaming or crashing, but thankfully we're yet to have any of that!

My report wasn't as good as I have a cracked molar which will eventually need a crown.  I'm waiting to make sure Charlie doesn't have any imperative dental needs which will max out our insurance this year or next before scheduling it.  Hoping Charlie's recent habits of racking up dental bills are a thing of the past!

Scenes from the Lake: 1, 2, 3, Jump!

Although there were LOTS of belly flops, the boys worked on new creative jumps as well as creative names.  THE JUMP of the summer was "The Full Dodger."  Still no idea where Freddie got that name, but I wonder if we'll be seeing more of it.

Scenes from the Lake: Cousin Time

Nothing like having time with cousins.

The boys both look forward to this part of the visit, as do we all.

They learn so much from spending time with each other, although the big take away for the little boys this year was using your armpit to replicate farting noises.  I mean, that was BIG.  Ah, boys.

The older boys helped Freddie and Hans push their limits in all regards, and overall a great learning experience for them for become more independent (and fearless) in the lake.

I love seeing the older boys take on the roles of care takers, revealing the sweetness in each of them.

Thank you, cousins!  We love you.

Scenes from the Lake: Wakeboarding

Teenage cousins are so awesome

All the big boys, including Dada get out on the wakeboard.

Dada even managed to get up on his second try.  Although there was lots of whining in the following days about being soar!

So it wasn't surprising that Freddie wanted to join the party....or was it?!?!  Who is this brave boy getting out there doing all of these things?  I suppose things are different now that he is five!

I didn't want to discourage his enthusiasm and courage, but did want to warn him that the board was way too big.  Did not make a bit of difference.  He wanted to try it, and talked some big talk.

Teenage cousins are really, really awesome

Sure enough he tried it.  And even though he took a face full of water (forgot to tell him to let go of the rope when he was down...Oops!) he tried again.  Perseverance.

He didn't ever get up but has decided he wants to find a board just his size rather than waiting to grow into the boards we already have.  He just may be wake boarding on the lake next summer.  Watch out Pelican Lake!  (And something tells me Hans isn't far off from joining him!)

Scenes from the Lake: On The Bomber

Both boys are getting pretty brave out there on the the tube.

They're always happy to go along on the boat to watch their cousins, even though the ride is fast and bumpy.

It's fun to ride on your own but even better if one of your cousins will ride with you!

Giving the hand signals for faster, slower, just right, and home are a sure sign of a seasoned rider.

Tubing on The Bomber is definitely a lake favorite year after year.

Scenes From Pelican Lake: King of the Raft

Gotcha!

It's on!

If I'm going in then you're coming with me...

At the lake