Movin' Up North

We were testing air mattresses to see if they could hold air, and this one wasn't cutting it.  We decided to use it for a launcher.  

It escalated rather quickly, and we all got involved in trying to launch each other.  So much fun!

Back to School Haircuts!  They needed them badly! This is Josh Before. 

And Luke Before. 

Look at these handsome devils. 

And before we knew it, it was Move In Day at Whiskey Cove.  Yay!!

We got settled pretty fast, and were enjoying the shoreline right away.

Luke knew how to help - get the hammock set up! 

I was not a great packer this trip...lots of boxes with mixed contents like this one. Kitchen Mostly is not exactly helpful. 

Our first night there and already hanging wet towels off the patio, with wet footprints on the dock. 

The sunset was gorgeous!

First breakfast on our patio.  We didn't eat inside unless it was raining. 

The boys made the breakfast even!  Luke did sausage and Josh did pancakes. 

The boys tried fishing off the dock, but mostly caught minnows. 

I love this face!

Family cannonball!

Who's leading who? 

Three generations of boaters. 

John, Dacia, and Rylan came out Saturday. Rylan was seriously obsessed with the surf rope. It was so cute!

See how he's kind of smiling a content smile?  It's because he has the rope. 

He was willing to share it, which was nice. 

Our address is Whiskey Cove, so we have a center piece of whiskey bottles.  How fitting. 

Josh and I tried to relax in the hammock, so lovely.  Such silly faces!

The boys hooked up inner tubes to the dock and then jumped from the knee board to the tube to the dock to the tube, and on and on and on. 

Ruby was a happy and very tired girl. She swam so much, and was so happy with her freedom. 

Happy girl in the sunshine. 

We had several good conversations and laugh sessions around the fire pit.  I can hear Luke's laugh now!

The previous owners left a jet ski lift, and the boys made good use of it for their kayaks.  Lotta work balancing the kayaks just right, but it must be worth it. :)

Sunday afternoon we went to Polson for lunch, and my parents came down to join us.  Smiling parents! 

Sunday night we had a huge Jenga battle. 

I wish we could hear Luke's advice for Grampa. 

Sunday night after the sun went down we played some games of 31, using cinnamon bears for the ante.  These two goofballs are great entertainment. 

Josh got a case of the giggles. 

Boat Life

Monday was a big day for the boys.  They "starred" in their first promo video.  They put gator step (a foamy kind of material) on our boat rails and we  did it with our friend Eric, who owns wbp, a wake boat company.  They got to show how easy it is to install/apply the gator step.  They hammed it up and were so cute, I almost laughed my head off!

Eric surprised us and got us this custom piece for the back step.  

Saturday we were camping at Hauser Lake with a bunch of friends from lacrosse.  These boys are a ton of fun.  Clockwise from the center with the cute little blond, we have Cooper, Josh, Sammy, Luke, and Toby.  

They all rode on the 3-person tube.  They were hysterical to watch because they were dancing and lip syncing.

Josh tried knee boarding and loved it. 

He even did 360's like they were no big deal.  He's fun to watch!

Luke also knee boarded, but he looks a bit more concerned!

Sunday morning they went for a boys trip on the boat.  Luke was determined not to get in the water, but after daddy swamped him and his pants were wet, he decided to surf in pants.  This is not something I ever expected to see.  

Sunday afternoon Josh got to go to Rogen's fishing birthday party.  They had a  ton of fun! 

Braces and Boating

This is the last smile pre-braces. 

This is Josh's new smile!  We think he looks like a middle schooler now, for sure! 

We checked out another used furniture store, and Luke found this gem for the lake house.  He thinks it's realistic enough for us to hang on the mantle.  

Gramma and grampa are in town and we met for lunch.  Apparently the kids are not too old to pose with ladybug statues. 

Friday night we went to Hebgen Lake with Miek and Bonnie.  We met the Billings family members (Mike's Aunt Luann and Uncle Ron, plus two of their daughters and their families). 

The sunset Friday night was gorgeous! 

Saturday we had a lot of cousins on our boat, and Josh spent a lot of time teaching them how to surf.  When it was Luke's turn to surf, he did a little showing off--he had a great ride and was signing to the music and being silly.  

Josh was having a blast surfing for fun in a hat. 

Saturday night the smoke came into the valley, which made for interesting pictures.  Josh got HUGE air wake boarding.  He jumped the wake and on one of his attempts even had a scorpion fall, where he did a somersault fall.  Crazy kid. 

Sunday morning Josh made dinner with dad's help.  Luke was in charge of keeping the fire going.  The boys are getting to be quite helpful.