It's all about boating

Our week started out with us wanting to take the boat up Monday night. But, my a/c went out in my car on Sunday night. We ran it to the dealer on Monday morning hoping that we'd get it back in time to hit the lake that night. No dice. Jim & Renae had planned to go with us, so when we didn't have a car to tow the boat, we decided to meet them downtown for dinner. A fun little dinner at The Dodo, where Grandpa taught the girls how to 'shoot' rubberbands! Since we were at the Gateway, the girls reminded us that we 'owed' them Build-a-bear. How convenient! So, we took the grandparents and the kids up to b-a-b. They each got a cute little stuffed animal and now our debt is paid! Thanks to J&R for a fun night!

So, Tuesday night we tried to go boating again! We wanted to try Echo, since our usual hangout, Pineview, has been so busy lately. When we got there...it was raining! We decided to wait it out and that was a smart choice because when the storm cleared, we were literally the ONLY boat on the lake and it was great water! Both girls knee-boarded. Since it was Sydney's first time, Mike was out with her. At one point, they fell off and we forgot to tell Syd one very important rule...Let Go of the Rope! She got dragged a little bit, but came out a trooper! Amanda did a great job, too, and no stitches this time. Along with a little swimming time, we had a great night! We did think that if Steve & Hill were still living there, they would have probably been with us and then Mike could have skied. So, way to go, Steve....

Round three...Mike went to help Renae and Jim take their Young Women boating today. He took the day off, took Amanda and headed to Echo around 9:15am. I stayed home with the little ones to take care of a little day-to-day business. Around 10:20a, I got a call that Mike forgot all the life jackets! So, we made a mad dash to gather a few things and hurried up to Echo. We had a nice day hanging out with Grandma and had perfect weather until about 4pm. Then, holy cow! Severe thunderstorm-at least that's what they reported on the radio. Jim and Mike pulled the boat out just as the wind started to rush and the rain began to pour! We had planned to stay boating for the evening after the YW girls left, but the storm changed our plans. We tried to wait it out by going to dinner at Taggart's Grill in Taggart, but the weather never got better. Lots of lightening and heavy rains. (I did see lightening hit a mountain in Henefer and it was smoking!) We had a fun dinner. Beautiful setting, the food was good, we saw the peacock that lives on the grounds and had yummy dessert.

Amanda was out on the boat all day and had a great time. Sydney didn't get enough rides, but was a good and patient girl. Brandon had a great time playing in the sand, dirt and with sticks. At one time, he took sticks over to a picnic table and would set them up like a bridge between the top and the bench. Then, he took a rock that was the car and crash the bridge down! He'd set it up again and knock it down again. Soon, Sydney and the 2 other little ones that were with us saw what a fun game it was and joined in the fun.

Lots of fun family time this week. I'm starting to teach piano again after teaching a skeleton schedule during July. I'm not sure I'm ready to be super busy again, but I am ready for the $$. Amanda has started to beg us for her own room again, so we need to get the basement started. If the kids would just stop growing up, then maybe we could catch up with the things that need to get done! I have loved spending so much time together as a family this summer. Mike and I have really been trying to make some fun memories for the kids.

Oh, and I finished my ironing!