Evening at the Park

We have had a beautiful fall. Simply beautiful. So one Friday evening we decided to take the girls to one of our favorite, though not often frequented, parks.

The girls played on the pirate ship.

We went for a brief walk; it was such a calm evening.

  We got such a kick watching these swans.

 A beautiful sunset from the top of the tower. I thought of a certain cousin when I took this picture. You know who you are. :)

It was a great, simple family night!

Outdoor fun

Brandon and his dad went on an outdoor adventure with some work guys. Yep - a business trip in the middle of nowhere. More times than I can count, I thought, "I'm SO glad I'm not going on this trip." Canoeing down a swift/twisty turny river,  sleeping in the middle of a pasture and doing all this in 45 degrees, just doesn't sound appealing to me. Call me strange. :)

Thankfully they never tipped the canoe, and they had lots of fun. Good memories for them, and a nice dry bed for me. We were both happy.

Our last time down to the lake this season just wasn't conducive for boating, so we went on a hike instead. I enjoyed walking with my family in God's creation.

If you look really hard, you can see an orangutan in this tree. :) It cracked me up when Analise asked, "Mom, is that an orangutan in that tree?"

We enjoyed our short afternoon at the cabin after our walk. The bummer was on the way home when a tomato cage in the back of the truck in front of us flew out and left big scratches along our truck. Brandon could see it happening, but he couldn't merge into the other lane because there was an oncoming car. What a memorable ending to the cabin/lake days!

Super Weekend

So this super weekend was a few weeks ago already. 

 I'm behind in my blogging due to some good books I've been reading.

Anyway, on Thursday I saw someone on FB offering volleyball tickets to my favorite college team. The same team that sells out season tickets in 30 minutes. I mentioned to her that I might be interested. Friday morning at 9:30 I see a message from this friend telling me I could have the tickets if I wanted. I jumped up and down and called Brandon at work. And here's the best part. I call him at work and tell him about the tickets - for that night, a couple hour drive away. And he says, "Let's do it!" Does he know me or what? What a man. :)

He came home from work at 4:00, we left at 4:30 and arrived just when we needed to.

The girls were really excited, too, to be here.

The six tickets (which were free - such a blessing!) were in two sets of three. I took Maisie and Sadie, and Brandon had Analise. The younger girls did a good job, though losing some interest after awhile. I figured this would be a quick three set sweep, but I was wrong. It went a full five sets. Between sets 2 and 3, we made a kid swap. He took Maisie, and I got Analise.  I was really glad to have Analise, and not just because she was easier. :) So often in life when she asks me a question (which happens to be a LOT),  I sometimes know the answer but more often then not I tell her to ask her dad. However, when it comes to volleyball, I know all the answers to her questions. :) I enjoyed teaching her about the game. Actually, I enjoyed everything; what a fun, fun night.

After the game we went to the hotel (where we stayed for free, thanks to Brandon's travels.) That morning down at breakfast, we saw a friend from church down there. She was there to work the airshow we had been contemplating watching. We really just wanted to see the Blue Angels but didn't know what time they were performing.  So our friend was able to find out the time for us. Another blessing!

Our girls were troopers as we drove around town and did some shopping. We also headed east 45 minutes to go to my favorite jewelry store. They were under strict orders there to behave. They did well. We then headed back west and got to the air show just.in.time.

This, too, was amazing!  I've never seen the Blue Angels live before, and I loved it. Plus, I knew Brandon was loving it, too, so that was fun for me.

 Here are some pictures; I wish I could have captured the sound as well.

Analise stood on the edge of the vehicle to watch.

Notice - Sadie is NOT covering her ears in this picture.

After a bit, Maisie was more interested hanging out in the car, eating a cookie. She is such a girl of shade.

From there we went to the mall for one more thing and then ate supper at The Olive Garden. It was about as close to a perfect weekend as I could get. What would have made it perfect was also going to the football game. It was  so hard to be so close and yet not going.

Sunday we remembered 9/11. I thought the full moon behind the flag was neat.

Picture Memories

Reading the girls a bed time story:

Chances are good if Grandpa is wearing a hat, Maisie will put it on.

Apparently I didn't get a drink quickly enough for the thirsty girl. She climbed the counter to get her own cup. 

 

I thought it was funny that Sadie was "reading" a chapter book.

Before taking this out to the recycle bin, Maisie drinks the last few drops.

 Analise washed a lot of veggies for me awhile back. She pulled this tomato out and said, "It looks like Jesus on the cross." I agree.

Sadie drew her first person this week - me. Not too bad, despite the crazy hair. She even wrote mom up there without my help.

And then later in the day Maisie drew a picture of me; I am wearing a red dress and jumping in the grass. I liked the detail she added to the picture.

Preschool Girl

I never thought I would send a daughter to preschool for two years. I stay home so they can be home with me as much as possible. However, with Miss Maisie, two years of preschool is a good thing. She needed last year to challenge her and give her her own thing. And this year, my mother's (and teacher's) heart just knew she wasn't ready for Kdg. And honestly, I wasn't ready to send her. She would have been one of the youngest in her class; I prefer to have her being one of the older ones in her class...esp come the middle school and high school years.

It's already been fun to see the difference a year makes in preschool. She has more confidence in what her does; her school work looks better; and she knows her letters MUCH better now. In addition to all that, her class is loaded with great friends! And even better, the moms are my friends. :)

Here she is the night of her open house. Their theme this year is water.

 First morning of preschool; she was SO excited!

We are so very thankful to have this preschool opportunity at our church. We have three wonderful teachers (one is a man), 15 great kids, and not only is she learning Pre-K things, but I know she is also learning God's Word.

Maisie, we hope this is another great year, and my prayer for you is that you will be a good leader this year. May you try your hardest and make good choices as you enjoy your time here. I love seeing you excited to go each morning, but you are also excited to see me when I pick you up. I know this year will go fast, so let's enjoy the time we have together!

Memories on Mable

In all my excitement in blogging about Labor Day, I forgot about another exciting lake day. I don't think I will ever forget...

It was a nice, relaxing day on the boat. Analise was on the other boat to be with the boys, and Grandma came on our boat. The outher two girls took a little nap. Brandon fished, and I read "The Help" while sunbathing up front. It was heavenly.

After the girls woke up, they wanted to ride Big Mable with me. Being the good mom I am (hah!) I decided to go with them. We had a nice relaxing ride. We waved to the other family members on the other boat as we went by at top speed of probably 10 mph.

See how relaxed we were? For awhile the girls scooted forward and kicked their feet.

We were all snuggled together as the boat made a loop around, and then the girls inched foward. That combined with going slower around the turn, the rope going under the water lead to a "not so relaxing ride." It went so quick...water spraying us, water coming up on the tube, to the tube going under water and all three of us sliding off and into the water.

Disclaimer - two phobias of mine:

1. water in my face

2. things over my head

So we slipped down into the water, and the tube flipped over us!  I remember the feeling all too well. I first thought I would be trapped under water (my worst fear was coming true) and then realized were weren't trapped under the water, but the tube was over us. I took a couple of deep breaths and focused on getting the girls. Maisie was under the tube with me, crying like I expected. Sadie was outside of the tube, crying like I expected. It was easy to reach Maise, and I kept reminding her that she was floating; we were fine. I then used mighty mama strength (hah!) and lifted the tube over us so we could get out. We swam to Sadie and calmed her down as well. So there I am in the water with both girls holding on. I look back to the boat and what do I see? My handsome hubby swimming out to me (with no life jacket on.) It really was a sight for sore eyes. He flipped the tube over and we got the girls on up. We then got out of the water. Whew...what a ride. 
What made it more memorable was Brandon in his hurried attempt in getting in the water slipped on the back of the boat and really hurt his foot; he felt it for days.
And the other family members on the other boat witnessed it!  I wish we had it on video.

Later at supper we all shared our version of the story with many laughs, and compliments on how I held myself together. That was a God thing.

And on the way home we saw another beautiful sunset. A good ending to quite the day.

Labor Day Weekend/Fishing Frenzy

Even with all the planning we did for Labor Day weekend, the weather had the nerve to change and make us in turn change our plans. Instead of heading down to the lake Friday evening, we waited until Sunday to head down. Friday night we went out to eat with D, S and boys. They then came over for cookies, and the kids played outside.

Saturday we did things around the house and ran some errands. Saturday evening all the family got together for a fish fry. It's been several years since we've caught enough fish to have a fish fry dinner. It was lots of fun!

Sunday after church we packed up and headed to the lake. The weather was now cooperating and was much better. We got there the same time as D/S and boys, so we decided to go out together; it was the first time all summer we were on the same boat.

My girls were excited to be with the boys.

 Most of the time we fish at the lake, we troll. Which basically means your poles are in the water while the boat moves at 3 mph. However, this time of year is my favorite type of fishing - chasing the gulls. This is when the shad (small fish) are swimming together and the sea gulls like to dive in for a catch. Not only are the shad swirling in the water, but the white bass are also there to eat the shad. So we know wherever the gulls are diving means white bass. So, you put on a pretty shad lure and cast into the water where the other shad are. I love it. I get to cast as far as I can and not worry about snagging a tree behind me. :) I did take into consideration others on the boat before casting...

When we got on the lake we found a cluster of about 40 boats.  The adrenaline began to flow - let the fishing begin! Nephew A put his pole in the water and immediately had a fish. We had five people fishing at once. It became crazy at times.

Aunt Sarah kept others occupied and out of the way. :)

 I think during the afternoon we caught 20-25 fish. Sometimes more than one person was reeling in at the same time. I think I caught about 12 on my own. Lots of fun. A funny memory was when I cast out and felt a big tug; I thought I had snagged my line on a log. Wouldn't you know it...the other family members were now on the other boat fishing as well. I was struggling  in bringing in my line when Brandon looked at the other boat and saw his mom struggling as well. We had caught each other! What are the odds that two lures could catch each other when the boats are at least 50 yards apart. It was so funny.

We were just about ready to come in for the day, when I got another big bite. I reeled it in and saw how big it was. My response, "I need a net!" D came to the rescue and brought in a 3 pound walleye. Whoohoo! I didn't even have a walleye lure on my line, and we haven't caught walleye for a long time. The boat was electric with excitement. The boys were impressed their aunt could bring in that type of fish; I was shocked and excited, and Brandon was so proud. :)

 All six kids on our way to the dock. Sadie's hair cracks me up.

 They made me pose with my fish, which the kids named Wally. It took me awhile to get the guts to pick this fish up, and I  had to wear gloves. At least they matched my shirt. :)

I told Brandon that was the most fun I've had on the boat all season. Fun family, fun fishing and lots of laughter. We were probably the loudest boat on the water.

Back at the cabin we had a pizza dinner with everyone, and then the girls got to sleep in the camper for the first time. They were thrilled and slept well. Brandon and I slept okay...

Monday we went back on the water for a little more fishing and then headed home late afternoon.

It was a good weekend despite the change in plans.