The One Where Kynlee is a Princess...oh wait, a Diva

Many years ago...okay, actually, truth be told, I think they only stopped 2 or 3 years ago...my dad, Stew and Pat (the men of the lake), used to build a pyramid on skies every 4th of July weekend.  We'd put flags on the boats, Stew (the top man) would hold a flag, and we'd drive around the lake waving and honking!  It's a part of 4th of July that I'll always remember, and if I had pictures, you'd all see how special it was too.  Well now, these late 50's men's backs don't hold up to such shenanigans and they've left the 4th of July "show" to the rest of the people on the lake.  It's never been as exciting as "The Pyramid"...a few boats idling around with red, white and blue splashed all over them, honking and celebrating Independence day!  But really...how can you beat 50 year old men building a ski pyramid...seriously?

Anyways...this year, our very own Kynlee was asked to join the "parade"!  Everyone gets a kick out of her skiing and waving around the lake, so what better thing to have in a boat parade than a skiing princess?!?!

Our little princess turned out to be more like a Diva...but I wouldn't have expected anything less!!!

Sporting Nema's patriotic "dress", ready for the parade

Right off the bat telling Papa where to go

"Hit-it"

The waving begins

Then the fit throwing began because apparently papa wasn't going fast enough

She was convinced her "pony" was going to fall out, so she held it for most of the ride

Then the scowl began as I was trying to explain that it wouldn't fall out

After realizing the "pony" was in fact not going to fall out...she gave us a quick "I Love You"

Big brother showed his patriotism as well

Oh there you are Kal

more waving

and a bit of trick riding as well!

After the parade, I made Kallen get on the ski...and he was Thrilled

okay...he was thrilled after we got going

So thrilled he didn't want to stop

and Kynlee pouted because her turn was over

Like Ol' Times

I've mentioned before that one of my favorite places in the whole world is Triangle Lake! I've got memories galore of that place, many of which include my cousins Lyndzie and Aubree! Lyndzie and I are a few months apart in age, and grew up the best of friends. Best of friends whove always lived states apart, but best buddies non the less!

Anyways...After a several year drought of not having them join us for a special family weekend...they made it this year. We didn't get the whole clan...but we had fun with those who could join us, and can only hope the get everyone there, one of these years!!!

I couldn't stop taking pictures of Avree and Caleb, and apparently forgot about my own daughter because I don't think I have one picture with the little miss from the entire weekend! I'm sure she'll forgive me though!

Blessings,

Startin' 'em Out Early!

As many of you know, my family has property at Triangle Lake and I was blessed enough as a kid, to be able to spend my summers there. Wadding through the shallow water, playing in the sand, laying on the dock getting cancer...oh, I mean a tan...swimming, tubing, skiing...you name it, we did it! Some of my best childhood memories are at that lake and now that I'm a mommy, my kids get the opportunity to experience those same things!

Last summer, Kevin and I had just purchased our rental house and spent every waking moment renovating it...no lake for us! The summer before that Kallen was just a wee lad, and Kynlee entered into the world half way through it, so...our summer was a bit occupied with little munchkins...yet again, limited lake time!

Fast forward to 2009: The year I've been waiting for and didn't even know it! Both kids are finally at an age where the lake is a place they remember and look forward to going to! We've already spent a few weekends there, and the kids wake up every morning that we're home, asking when we get to go back! It warms my heart and takes me back to the good ol' days of being a carefree kid, living it up at the lake! Ahhhh...hold on a moment while I bask in my memories!!! Okay...enough basking for me!

Anyways! When I was a kid...oh so many years ago...they had little trainer skies, but they were exactly that...actual skies. A person had to be quite coordinated in order to maneuver them in the water. In fact, I'm pretty sure I remember my parents having to float in the water with us kids, to help us hold the skies in place. I think I was 5 or so when I actually skied for the first time. I'm sure I've got pictures somewhere that maybe one of these days I'll dig up and post for you all to enjoy! Anyways...getting back on track...Now, 20+ years later, they've come up with all kinds of gadgets to get kids skiing earlier and earlier! Well...Being the "go get 'em" parents that we are, Kevin and I purchased one of these said gadgets (the EZ Ski to be exact) to get our little kiddos out on the water as soon as possible! We were a little skeptical at first, but after seeing the delight in our kids eyes as we opened the box and talked all about how they were going to ski like mommy and daddy...all skepticism went out the window! They were stoked!

We played around with it at the dock for a while first, then took Kallen out for a spin! He was a pro right off the bat, and of course his sister had to follow suit! So here we are enjoying Triangle Lake at it's finest!


Blessings,

Surf's Up!

For as far back as I can remember, Memorial weekend has always been a big "todo" in our family! We didn't plan things that weekend, nor did we attend other peoples plans! Our Memorial weekends, rain or shine, were always spent with the family at good ol' Triangle Lake! It has always been the "start" of our summer, if you will, and always a date on the calendar I looked forward to! When Kevin and I started our lives together, we too continued on the tradition and made our Memorial Weekends at "The Lake", a regular thing!

Well, not this year! Actually, the Holiday weekend kind of snuck up on us, and before we knew it, it was Friday afternoon, and we had no plans! Instead of rushing to get things together, we compromised on a day at the lake instead of the whole weekend. It definitely wasn't the same, but we got our "lake" fix, none the less! So Happy Summer to you all!!!

Kynz enjoying some yogurt!

Trying to put her swimsuit on...without help of course! Probably the funniest thing you've ever seen!!!

Not quite babe...but close!
Kal's "What do you want mom", look

Getting ready to surf with daddy!

Not a happy camper! He actually screamed bloody murder until I said "smile Kallen"...

...to which he stopped crying instantly and posed for the camera...

...only to continue crying.

Surf's up dude!

copy cat

Bapa and Sissy!

and this pretty much sums up my day! Ahhhh, the lake!

Blessings,