Summer Sun Fest

Blogger was NOT my friend today. If you're viewing from a mobile device, the formatting/spacing may be somewhat goofy. After too many hours, the biggest problem was solved, but I'm too frustrated to try figuring out what the deal is w/ the mobile view, grrr.

It's our goal each summer to visit Patrick's family in Chicago. It's an added super-bonus when we can coordinate a weekend that overlaps w/ Aryn's visit from Texas. This summer was no different - we spent the weekend at Uncle Scott's cabin w/ family including Auntie Aryn - goal met :)

It's a 4.5 hour drive there and we made it w/ time to enjoy a beautiful evening. First up - a pontoon ride. Auntie Aryn got TONS of snuggles!

Leah is too much, she's nearly 4, but going on 14. She has ZERO problems keeping up w/ the big kids, in fact they have to keep up w/ her. She asked me to take her picture, of course.

We dropped anchor and the kids swam.

Back to the cabin for Pie Face...

...the anticipation is the best part.

 Auntie Shawna gave skiing lessons on the couch.

Scary stories around the campfire. This crew of kids made it until midnight, some even later than that.

In Lake Carroll, you're either going up or down hill. This makes for a very scenic and painful run, it was good for me to have my butt kicked by the hills. Oddly, Sunday's run felt better than Saturday's.

After a late breakfast we loaded up the pontoon and said good-bye to Auntie Shawna. She wasn't leaving, just smart enough to stay back for some quiet time.

It's nice to be away from home and just enjoy time time w/ these two.

Tubing, snacking, pontooning and swimming.

Queen of the Mountain.

Birthday gifts from Auntie Shawna were a total hit...

...and led to a GIANT water fight.

It's all fun until you get ambushed.

Auntie Shawna and her biggest girl.

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

After the couch lesson, Hadley told everyone she was going water-skiing. Kelly was a sport and agreed to help her from the water.

We used training skis w/ the rope tied to a bar holding the skis apart. W/ the rope tied to the skis, if the skier falls (and the skis stay on) the skier will still be attached to the boat, so rather than securing the rope to the boat, it's held by the spotter that will drop the rope when the skier falls - this is not as confusing as it sounds ;) Back to Hadley...Patrick was the rope-holder and when Hadley didn't make it up, he was too busy watching her and didn't drop the rope! This meant she was dragged under the water for 5ish feet - ugh, I knew she'd be done.

Even w/ tears, Patrick forced her to try again. Even though he dropped the rope right away this time, she was over it and cried to get in the boat.

 Mayah's turn...

 ...and she did it! This is my favorite picture of the entire weekend, I love Kelly's reaction in the background!

 Mayah made it for an entire loop!

Back to happy tubers.

The best part of these weekends is just hanging out. Finley & Owen learned a new card game, I think it's called Pass the Trash or 31, something like that. They were hooked and played w/ anyone that was willing.

Another campfire and after an hour the littlest kids fell asleep in our laps.

Not needing to rush home, we were able to enjoy part of Sunday too. It turned out to be a little more of everything fun from Saturday. More water fighting.

 Finley nailed Hadley...

...but this time, Little Sister was ready!

More boating.

More cards.

 

And that's a wrap! Summer Sun Fest was a great weekend w/ family we don't see often enough.

We even brought a little fun home w/ us. Uncle Scott gave us a jet ski - happy boy!