and he's up... wesley skis

 

all the children have gotten up on trainer skis, but they were starting to outgrow those.  Wesley was brave enough to try *real* skiing.  once he was up he decided to try dropping one.  so glad that the others were cheering him on and he was successful.  

sister offering him congratulations after his success.  he then wanted to try getting up on one.  the picture below shows how much water he has to fight in order to get up.  seriously, after seeing this us adults now know why we have to hang on so long!

fireworks on the lake

we took the boat out to the middle of the lake and enjoyed the fireworks ~ along with snacks.

as small as the lake is, these are not professionally done (gasp!).  individuals around the lake set off fireworks, one at a time, from their pier, while others clap and holler appreciation. 

I love when several are set off at the same time around the lake.  you can see the reflection of the water, pier and sometimes people in the water setting them off. 

 

we always have sparklers at our pier which the children love.

  

 

 

 

Meredith was trying to make a heart, but we could not capture it just right.  maybe next year. 

 

more from the lake

daddy pulling the girls... oops one must have fallen 

 

 I love McKinley's hair in this one!

beautiful girl       and those handsome boys getting ready 

 some serious air

  

 

funny how air gets under it when they all fall off! 

back to the lake

after a great week in topsail we headed home for church, a fun day zip lining and morgan's ballet recital (due to a dead camera battery, there are no pictures of that event).  now we are back to the lake... our summer home away from home.   

it's always more fun when daddy can take off work and join us for a few days! 

ha! Meredith is in there somewhere. 

somebody needs to alert the crew to the coming storm! 

 they come up quickly here and head out just as fast.   

 

 

it's relaxing watching a storm on the porch.   

after the storm passes, everybody is back on the water.   

  

 

and yes, these pictures were taken from the back of the jet ski...

with my nice camera and zoom lens.  I must really trust my husband's driving!

wrapping up the week

I like the way her feet are not touching the ground... she had such a fun trip.  We all did.  sister and the children were great hosts (except for our meal last night ~ nothing was good) and we had a great first week away from school. 

waiting for uncle dane to arrive Friday night.  it's a shame that father's have to work during the week! 

cookie doodle and sugar  

tomorrow we are heading home for a few days and then we will be lake bound.  we are really blessed to have options in the summer. 

a little putt putt and a happy birthday

 Thursday night we headed down the street for a game of putt-putt. 

this little girl thinks she won because she had the MOST POINTS with 102!

shortly after this picture we realized that Wesley had a high fever and strep throat which was why he did not do well.  and m1, well like always she just had a fun time!

with his last minute heroics and a hole in one on number 18, he beat his momma by one stroke.  lucky dog!

the exact moment that she realized her aunt sissy had walked around to all of the people at the putt-putt place and asked them to sing happy birthday to her!  blurry picture because I was balancing a dripping cone in one hand and holding the camera between sticky fingers with the other hand.  we had already celebrated her birthday with friends and it's really not until Saturday but we celebrated over ice cream tonight!