Lake Monroe 2013

Every year, we have such a blast at the lake with Paul's family.  This year we went back to Lake Monroe.  It really is a beautiful lake.  There are no houses right on the water, just trees everywhere...a peaceful getaway from the busyness of life.

Friday we rented a double-decker pontoon boat...the girls' favorite part of the whole trip! It was a perfect day...the weather was warm and sunny, there weren't many boats out on the water, the water was calm, and the girls were all in wonderful moods.  What more can you ask for?!

Climbing the ladder to the slide

Paul taking Ella down the slide...she doesn't want to be left out!!!

I bet the girls went down that slide over 100 times that day. What a blast! The adults all went down too, except Brooke, who was 36 weeks pregnant.  She was such a trooper on the whole trip.   And such a cute pregnant mama.  We were so grateful that they came!

Rose going down

Love the excited expression on Ava's face

Madeline has her arms up like she is on a rollercoaster

The cool water was the perfect break from the hot sun.

The crew in the water for a swim break

Ben and Julia

Brooke and Julia

Lunch break on the boat

Mommy and daughter...so sweet!

The big guys always have to try to spice things up a bit, so after doing flips off the top deck, they started throwing the football and the frisbee to each other and tried to catch it as the dove off the top of the boat. 

Two little buddies.  Julia is deejaying the music & Ella is watching intently
 with her little hand on her chin...hehe, I love it! 

Madeline helping Grandpa drive the boat

The little girls also got to go tubing.  The pontoon boat is just the right speed for them.

Rose and Ava on the tube

Big huge Daddy trying to fit in the tube with Madeline

Mommy and Ella's turn

Rose being adventurous and standing in the tube

We were on the pontoon boat from 10:30 to 4:30 that day, which made it quite a long day for the little girls, but they all did great.  Especially Julia and Ella who missed their afternoon nap!

I thought this was adorable with the dads both snuggling
their babies on the boat

Chillaxing in their shades

Always has to have the paci...it definitely makes life quieter

Saturday, we couldn't have timed the weather better if we tried.  We had reserved a speed boat from 9-1, and storms rolled in around 2:00 or so and lasted the rest of the afternoon.  The boys took the boat out in the morning to get their skiing, slolaming, and wakeboarding in while we took the girls to the beach.  They picked a few of us up a couple hours later so we could give the little girls a turn.

Rose driving the speed boat

Paul slolaming

Ken has still got it...killing it on the skiis

Rose REALLY wanted to try skiing, so we rented little skiis, found a cove, and Paul hopped in the water to coach her through it.  Unfortunately, it didn't go well.  We forgot to tell her to let go of the rope when she fell, so the boat was dragging her for a bit before we realized what happened.  Needless to say, she wouldn't try again.

Rose, excited to try skiing

SOMEHOW, we talked Ava into trying after she watched all this happened to Rose.  She tried two different times, then gave up.  But at least she tried!!!  We were very proud of our little adventurous spirit!

Ava also gave it a go

Saturday afternoon, we just hung out at the house; played games, read books, watched movies, and sat out on the deck in-between the rain.

Bubbles in between the rain

LOVE her curls...just gorgeous!

Joy entertaining the little ones with a game of Go Fish.

Paul with a worn out 3 year-old

Ben practicing for 2 ;)

Although it's not easy getting everything and everyone ready for the trip (there is SO much stuff you need for an overnight trip to the lake!!!!), I am glad we do it every year.  It is one of the big highlights of the summer.