Life with boaters....

is a really good way to live. We had a great trip to Kentucky Lake! We drove over there on Thursday morning, and by that afternoon we were all out on the boat having a great time relaxing together. The fact that we were out on the water at all was pretty amazing. Our friends, The Webbers, whom we were meeting, had not had an ideal trip so far. They had blown a boat trailer tire on the highway on the way down, the rental house definitely did not live up to any one's expectations and on Tuesday the alternator in their boat had broken.

In fact, shortly after we arrived, they received a call that the boat was fixed after two days in the shop (a short turn around for these parts!!). Bruce and I volunteered to stay with the kids (our two, the 2 Webber kids and their cousin) while Chris and Chanley picked up the boat and put it back in the water. Shortly after they left we got a phone call from them - they had blown ANOTHER trailer tire!! It was nuts and of course there was much work for Chris the next day, buying tires and changing tires. By Thursday night we were all ready to relax on the water and were able to enjoy a sunset cruise. We spent the rest of the weekend swimming, cruising, tubing and hanging out. We had such a great time enjoying this time with all the kids (except Lucy, she was in a horrible mood all weekend!!) Griffin loved jumping off the back of the boat, swimming, tubing and playing with Jake and Gavin, both also 5. On Friday night we took the boat over to a marina to watch the fireworks (Bruce was a saint and stayed back with Lucy and Grandma Wes.) They were so fun as was the amazing half hour boat ride back in the dark. Right during dinner on Saturday night a huge storm blew in that knocked out the power. It was such a bummer and really made packing up so difficult. The kids did a great job playing and never really even noticed the power went out. Both Bruce and my favorite moment came on Saturday night. After Lucy went to bed and Grandma Wes and Gavin hit the road I talked Griffin, Jake and Casey into putting on a show for us parents. It was phenomenal to see what they came up with, how they all performed different songs and how all 3 of their different personalities were showcased. They each sang 4 or 5 songs, mostly their own choices and it was so cute!!!!! I think it will have to become a tradition. Griffin even said on the way home that he wanted to teach Lucy to sing "I'm a little teapot." for next year's show.

The Webbers are such a phenomenal, fun, loving family and any chance we have to spend with Chris and Chanley is time well spent. Thanks guys for all the great talks, funny moments and for sharing your boat and vacation so freely with us!!!

****Unfortunately the trip ended on a sour note for us. We got a call on Saturday night from the boy who was watching Sunshine, to tell us a pipe had burst in the bathroom. We are so thankful that he was there and able to turn the water off and get the water off the floor (and a huge thanks to his Mom for helping!!!) We arrived home to some pretty extensive damage, but it could have been so much worse. The hallway and bathroom floor with have to be replaced along with a medicine cabinet, a large hallway rug and the wainscoting all the way around the bathroom. Lucy's bedroom floor was damaged and something will have to be done in there also. Basically a gut for the bathroom. It is really horrible - the hallway floor has completely buckled and we have to be careful when walking over it. Bruce and I constantly feel that we take one financial step forward only to have to immediately take two steps back. It is so frustrating!! Right now we are talking with a contractor and the insurance agency, so we will see. I'll let y'all know the outcome!*****