Lakehouse

Labor Day weekend we set out on a new adventure!  A weekend at the lake!  We decided last minute with the Gates family to try for a lake weekend and we were lucky enough to find a great rental house. 

The girls were SO excited to go to the lake for the weekend.  I'm not sure they knew what to expect, but they knew it would be lots of swimming and fishing - which they are 100% in for.

The house was in an amazing location - very serene and beautiful.  You could tell the house had seen lots fun times and it showed through the..   uh,  rustic...? accommodations.  It was more like a cabin than a house, but it was perfect for us.  The kids were thrilled to ALL get to sleep in the same room for the first time and they did great! 

When we arrived, the first order of business was to get Preston's cast off so he could swim!!  (Don't worry - doctor's permission granted...)  :)

Sweet picture of a time when he was required to be still!  haha

The weekend was packed full of fun times boating, fishing, swimming, playing, and lots of outdoor times.  The adults brought games to play after the kids were in bed and they were never even opened - we all were in bed at 9 - happily exhausted from the day! 

Todd and I celebrated our 11th anniversary on the 31st and we are still as happy as ever.  :)  

 Todd brought his fishing gear and had his poles in the water most of the weekend.  He got lucky and pulled one in on a kiddie pole!

 

Not too long after, Lia comes in the house yelling "DAD!!!  You got a fish on your pole and it pulled it underwater!!"  She eventually found Todd in the bathroom...  AND -  Sure enough, a fish had bit the line and tried to swim away, pulling the entire pole to the bottom of the lake.  As resourceful people do (where do you think Lia gets it?) Todd jumped in, searched until he found the pole and the fish was still on it!!!  Caught a fish while pooping - one for the record books.  :)

One of the kids favorite things was this big (used to be) blue mat that came with the house!  It was a spongy material and was great for playing king/queen of the mountain on.  We also added our fun unicorn to the mix as well.  Hours of fun - so simple - so fun.

It took the kids awhile to understand that playing this game meant that they were allowed to push each other in the water and that you should expect to be pushed.  For the first few hours, they were constantly apologizing to each other and helping them back up - just to square off again - haha - we are raising some sweet kids here!!    After awhile they got their rhythm and understood what was too hard or too aggressive and just started having fun. 

This was Halle and Lia at the beginning - this video is SO Halle to me - makes me laugh every time.

Day two of playing - they are all in the mix and it was a total giggle storm

 The house came with two kayaks and one stand up paddleboard.  The adults would take the kids out, but sweet Erin figured out how to do it all by herself!  Amazing kid.

Picnics everyday!!!

Our attempt at making slime...  not a total failure.  Not a total success either...

When the house only has two big bowls...  You improvise!

Todd was so sweet and got me flowers for our anniversary.  Getting them home was going to be a task, so we allowed the kids to pick some to have for themselves.  Made for happy kids and cute pictures!

Already daydreaming about our next trip to the lake.  One of my favorite places for sure.  :)