More Summer Fun

Chad has waited for Blake to try waterskiing since he was in utero.  He bought Blake a wetsuit when he was three.  So when we headed to Lake Thomas, the perfect lake to learn how to waterski, I know he was excited for Blake and a little bit sad he wouldn't be there to see it. We took tons of pictures and videos and Blake told him all about it the moment we got home.  We arrived at home on a Monday evening, Chad, Blake and Lauren were at Wiley's ski shop Tuesday morning. Blake is the proud owner of new water skis and they've been out on Lake Washington every other day.  It can get a little rough out there, but Blake likes that he can go for miles and miles.

20 Years

Twenty years is a really long time.  When my mom died I was days away from starting my senior year of college.  Just about every single thing about my life is different now, so it was really nice to go back to a place that never really seems to change to remember my mom on the anniversary of her passing.  We planted  a tree (for my earth loving, birkenstock wearing mama) next to the lake she loved so much. While I will always be heartbroken my mom never got to meet the grandchildren she would have cherished, Alison and I took a moment to be proud of the fact we never fell of the rails and we both built lives our mom would be really proud of.

We had a great trip, the kids played hard, lots of playing in the lake, tubing, fishing, canoeing and one official waterskier! There is truly no place more relaxing than Lake Thomas.  There is no tv, no wifi, no iPads and we had NO complaints! 

Thank you Krista for removing so many fish from so many hooks!!

Blake is my early riser and we were the first to hit the dock each morning.

Sometimes you just don't need a suit.

My aunt taught me to waterski at Lake Thomas and this year she taught Blake too!

early morning canoeing

 These people were NOT into having their picture taken, this is the best I could do.

evening cruise

He did it!!

Blake tried to get up a couple of times and on the morning we were leaving he did it!  I think it was Leo's chanting "knees together, knees together" that really made it happen. 

Montana Summer 2016

Montana or bust! Blake, Lauren and I packed up and headed to Whitefish early in the morning.  I've never driven straight through to Whitefish but Blake and Lauren were awesome! We made three pit stops on our 8.5 hour drive.  Chad met us there a couple of days later.

About 45 minutes from our destination we stopped and found New York seltzers.  I loved them as a kid, my kids weren't as impressed but it was enough sugar to get us through!

Alison and I call Iron Horse "Camp Montana".  It's like camp for kids, and grownups too! There was plenty of pool time, golfing, boating, zip lining, alpine slides, river rafting, bowling, pottery, movies, and lots of delicious food (and drink!).

cooling off in the icy river

Thank you Grammy and Grandpa for a great adventure!

At the beginning of the raft trip, Lori, our raft guide (and beloved ski teacher) told us what to do if someone were to fall out of the raft.  Part of the instructions were to look the person in the face before you pull them up.  At one point during the afternoon the girls wanted to jump in and Grandpa got to practice doing a water rescue.  My rule oriented, Little Miss type A was barely in the water before she started instructing Grandpa "LOOK ME IN THE FACE".

The highlight of golfing may be wolfing down candy bars at each snack shack.

Leo is too little to go to camp with the big kids, but he makes for a very entertaining dinner date!

Lifeguard Jordan is the best!

summer sisters

Our yearly mother/son adventure.  What is the opposite of an adrenaline junkie?  That's what I am, but zip lining wasn't too bad.  The longest line was 1/4 of a mile and it was beautiful.

I had a lot of fun golfing with the pros!  It's a little intimidating heading out to golf with people who do it weekly (daily?) but I'm so glad I did.

Sweet Peaks

Leo out lasted Blake at the paint table...