If only...

If only things could stay the same! It is so sad to see your children grow up too fast! Nathan is now in 3rd grade, wanting to pretend he doesn't like shows like "Super Why" and only watch shows like "Zack and Cody", but at least he does not like girls yet! (Maybe with more super why and less Z & C we can keep him like that a little longer!) At the lake house, Nathan's playmates were either the big guys or the 5 yr old girls! The girls apparently like him (just to play with!), but although Nathan was very sweet to them, he still is only tolerating "girls"! Yeah!

What is really strange to think of, though, is what if he grew up and dated some girl he knows now. I moved so often when I was younger that the option of dating a person I grew up with was not there, but assuming we stay here, it could happen with my kids! A very funny thought! Better keep lots of good pictures of Nathan and Camden and all their "girl friends" to use at their weddings!

Reality!

We drove home today! It is good to be home and use my own shower and sleep in my own bed, but it was awfully hot today with no lake to jump in!! Unpacking is always the worst, but by the end of this week, the task should be completed!

I got to drive Camden home today while Nathan was in Dave's car. When we pulled up, he started crying-he was crying "Want the lake house!" Nathan is convinced we can sell everything we have but the boat and buy the lakehouse! I think we all had a great time!

Well, on to reality and the dishes!

Day 7 at the lake! Sunday

Today was our day to say good-bye to our friends :( Both of the other families had to pack up and leave in the morning, but we were fortunate enough to be able to stay until Monday morning. After saying good-bye, we went down to the dock and fished a little. Camden caught his first fish with Dave's brim buster! and Nathan caught several fish this way!







We took the boat out for one last run! We tubed and kneeboarded and I pulled Dave on the kneeboard! He actually said I drove the boat good, just a little fast when I pulled up beside him!



After eating up all the leftover food, (well trying to!) putting a very tired two year old to bed, and doing laundry, Dave and Nathan had a fishing contest at the dock while Amy finished up her scrapbooking! My realistic goal was met! Yeah!



At the end of the night, we were able to enjoy one more thunderstorm! The lightening was awesome and lit up the sky! It was a great week and a lot of fun, but fun is tiring! Nathan came up from the dock before Dave to go to bed. I asked him if he had had fun this week and of course he said yes! He then said that he was a little tired though, well, really a lot tired!

At the end of the night, I had finished my scrapbook, finished my book, and went to bed! What a good night!

Day 6 at the lake! Saturday

Our last full day at the lake with our friends! We decided (after getting another "late" start due to weariness!) to take a trip to the Lake Murray Dam. We packed lunches, loaded up both the boats with the kneeboards and the Big Bertha tube, and drove to the other end of the lake where the dam is. It is a very pretty ride (although tiring when you are holding onto a tube and Camden the whole way!). Once there, we tootled around looking for a marina for bait and gas (want to make it back home!) I was able to drive the boat around while Dave dropped a line! And we also had rain coming down pretty steadily!

After finding gas and bait, we anchored and ate lunch. The fisherpeople fished off the front of the boat and the kids played in the tube off the back. almost lost Camden head first while he was trying to get in the tube! And then he falls out of the tube when he and Nathan were supposed to be sitting in it! He was ok after bobbing up from the water, but I was a little shaken after jumping in to "save" him!

Joey, Becky, and Jason fishing



Becky and Camryn tubing-Camryn wasn't too thrilled!

Dave and Corey fishing

The kids playing in Big Bertha!!

Camden and Nathan

Camryn

Camden


We tubed and kneeboarded some, but it was very choppy in the open water, so the girls decided to take the kids back, let the men fish, and have them watch the kids while we went out later. This plan almost worked until we got lost coming home, almost lost Nathan in the lake and overall got a little frustrated! (Nathan was just sitting in the tube for the LONG trip home; we looked down one moment; looked up to see there was no Nathan in the tube!; panicked, turned around and saw him floating in the water beside another boat that had stopped to help! He couldn't have been in the water more than 20 seconds, but it was a little scary!)

Hannah and Taylor keeping an eye on Nathan!!

So after that trip home, the women decided to just leave all the kids with them men when they returned and go out for dinner and a movie! We went to Applebee's and saw "Julie and Julia". It was a nice evening and apparently the men also fished while we were gone! Dave caught a gar!!

Day 5 at the lake! Friday

On day 5 at the lake we were back to just us and the Finks. You could tell that we were all a little weary! We started out the day in a lazy fashion. No early morning fishing! No a.m. boating! We hung out at the house playing Wii, scrapbooking, and finally getting back online! Then Joey and I went to Carolina Pottery with Hannah and Camden, while the guys (sorry Camden that you never get to go with the guys yet!), went to Sportsmen's Warehouse. Definitely a guy's store! Nathan was able to replace his "favorite" lure that he lost the day before while fishing.




After we all reconvened at the house, we took the boat out. I tried wakeboarding again, but still could not get it right! The Ashley River is a much better place for me to wakeboard! I also got back on the kneeboard (without my toenail and feeling much better!), but must have been too tired after trying to wakeboard-I crashed again, this time face first with my eyes open! That stung! No wonder Nathan is getting scared about trying the kneeboard again!! Hannah on the other hand got back on the kneeboard! She is able to be put on it by Corey and then just holds on without having to pull up-Nathan wishes he could do that!!

Hannah kneeboarding!


We had a good time on the tube that day, though! Dave was also unsuccessful in throwing Joey and I out of the tube; but Corey did it to Dave! Nathan and Dave were in the tube, Dave was thrown and did 3 flips in the air, Nathan went vertical, but managed to stay in! Wish I had gotten that on video!!

Dave and Nathan on the tube


Dave in the water and Nathan on the tube!


Overall, a fun day on the water again! Beautiful weather on the lake again!







That evening involved BLT's, the return of the Bowick's and an indoor evening for the women (thanks Joey for your help scrapbooking!) and fishing for the men! Lots of fishing on this trip with very little catching!!

Day 4 at the lake! Thursday

Rain, rain went away!! After a very rainy night and morning (again with 3 guys going fishing early in the morning, getting soaked, and catching NO fish!), we finally got clear weather after lunch. We were making alternate plans to go see a movie, but then the sun came out and the boats went to work!

Of course we had to play in the water off the dock before going out on the boats!

Dave and Nathan swimming in the lake!

Camden liked to walk up and down the dock!

Jumping the tube was big fun!!



The adults, minus Amy and Jason, went fishing while the kids went out tubing (how did I get that job!?!) But I got to drive the boat all by myself while pulling Jason and Camryn. I did a fine job!

Then all the kids went to rest/nap/watch a movie (with Jason and Becky watching them) while the other 4 adults took up tandem kneeboarding! It is a lot of fun! Amy and Joey showed the guys how to do it! Then the couples and the guys matched up! I almost did a 360, well I actually did get around, but right after I got turned around, I felt my toenail pull the rest of the way off! Ouch! So I fell! I now have no toenail except the beginnings of a new one growing in. Yeah!! But my toe does look very naked!

Joey and Amy kneeboarding together!

Amy attempting her first 360


Amy wiping out!





Dave and Amy-kissing while kneeboarding!

Joey and Corey holding hands in the water!

Don't you think we are ready for Sea World!!

The day ended with the guys trying to catch fish again, putting the kids to bed and the girls staying up watching NCIS (esp Tony) and finding out interesting things about the others that will not ever be posted!! Right Joey and Becky?!??!

Day 3 at the lake! Wednesday

Rain, rain, go away! Our morning was rainy! Sounded nice on the roof, but not the best to go boating in. Of course, Dave went out fishing in the morning! No fish of course-they didn't want to get wet! And our internet got knocked out for 2 days-why this is a little late!


The kids playing the Wii

Joey knitting

Dave and Corey playing pool

Why does noone take a picture of me scrapbooking?!?!?!


After a morning of scrapbooking, Wii, pool, and knitting, we took the boat out for a little while before it started raining again! Joey and I took a crazy tube ride! But no wakeboarding for me today! It was a good day for my body to recuperate from the hard fall from Day 2!

Nathan a little dazed after his wild tube ride!

Amy on a slower ride with Hannah and Camden

Taylor was a little anxious on her tube ride!

Later that evening we made another trip to the grocery store and a special stop at the scrapbooking store! Gotta go there!