Weekend Fun at the Lake

Last week was a really stinky week at the Casa del Carpenter. :( Car repairs and a water leak to the main water line in our house resulted in us spending an arm and a leg to a mechanic and a plumber. When it rains it pours, right?

We jumped at the chance to get out of town on Saturday and spend the day at the lake with the Ylda clan. It was awesome - the perfect break from our yucky week! Kim & Joe (Wade's aunt and uncle) are almost finished with a 3 year assignment in China that Joe took with his company. They bought this awesome lake house for them to use when they are home and to use as a weekend house when they move back. It is so nice!

You walk just a few steps out of their backyard onto their boat dock. It is a great set up!
There was TONS of family there! Kim & Joe, Grandmom & Granddad, all 3 of Wade's cousins, all of their spouses, Talon (Paul & Candice's little boy), Pam (Doug's mom), Nana (Doug's grandmother), Si & Jay (Ashley's parents) and Justin (a Ylda family friend) - 21 people, if my count is correct. I had some anxiety about having all 3 of my kiddos at the lake. I was worried about being able to watch all 3 of them in this different environment. Thankfully, everyone pitched in to help us out. As a parent, you can always tell when people really love your kids and when people are just putting up with them. I could tell that everyone there genuinely loved our kids and enjoyed being around them. That is the best feeling you can have as a parent - knowing that other people love your kids. :)

Clayton & Drew were chomping at the bit to get out on the boat as soon as we got there. Wade went with them and I watched from the dock. They had the time of their lives on there tubing!

Wade took Clayton first.

Then Clayton went by himself. That boy has no fear! He was determined not to fall off - he had a death grip on that handle. Cousin Paul knew that I was watching, so he gave him a Mama friendly ride. ;)

Next up was Drew! Yes, my 2.5 year old went tubing! Candice rode with him and Paul took them really slow. There were hardly any other boats out and the lake was super smooth, so I felt comfortable with him riding. According to Candice, he loved his ride too. He and Candice were good buddies after their tubing experience. :)

My little blond boy was sooo proud of himself when they got back!

There was no shortage of grandmothers to cuddle with Owen. Between Grandmom, Kim, Pam, Nana, and Jay, I didn't have to worry about Owen crying for even a second. Kelli got some good baby time, too. :)

Si is hysterical! Drew loved playing ball with him.

My sweet Drew on the porch.

This is a picture of Granddad being, well... Granddad. He was dancing around with Jay & Ashley's puppy. If you have never met Wade's grandfather, you are missing out. He is such a character!

Wade and Drew on the dock watching the flyover.

Clayton & Talon are second cousins, and Talon is just 6 months younger than C. They figured out that they have the exact same DSs, so they were bonding over some games.

When the sun went down, we watching the fireworks over the lake. I had to document Owen's first fireworks show. :)

By this time, Drew was in hyper-drive - he was moving constantly just to keep himself awake. He hadn't gotten a nap for the second time ever in his life, and he was CUH-razy! He sat with Pammy for a few minutes...

then he decided that he wanted to watch the fireworks upside down. Silly boy!

We all just had the best time! The boys fell asleep as soon as we got in the car and slept for the 2 hour ride home. They transferred right to their beds and slept hard all night long. Wade and I talked the whole way home about how much fun we had. Thanks Ylda fam for the great day!