Wake-Boarding

We moved into our house just over 2 years ago. We love our neighborhood, our yard (1.5 acres), and the lake we have deeded access to. The month after we moved in we bought a boat. Could we afford it then? no. Can we afford it now? no. But we had a choice we had to make. If we wait until we can afford it, will our kids still be young enough to enjoy it? We decided that it was worth spending the money....I have no regrets!

This is my 10 year old. 

Last year, he was afraid to go too fast on the tube. 

He would be in panic mode 

almost the entire time he was being pulled.

This year...He's a new person!

He gets his life jacket on, sits on the back of the boat, slips on the wakeboard, and gets in ready position. He gets up everytime

All of these pictures are my awful attempts of trying to catch him in the air. I finally gave up..but you get the point.

The picture below is my favorite. 
He looks so steady and I can just imagine him trying to set up his next jump.

He just makes me smile.

Now Zac's turn.

 I've written a few times about what a great musician he is, but I don't think I've told y'all he is extremely athletic as well. 

He was home schooled his whole life, 

but played sports with our local district in Hershey, Pa.

He was so good..one of the best for awhile in 

football and basketball. 

As good as he was, when everyone starting growing and 

getting bigger, he stayed the same. 

Always fit, but at 5'6", he was starting to get hurt.. a lot! Concussions, broken bones etc.

Fortunately, 

the only competition on the water is himself.

Look at the air he caught! 
If I were a better photographer, these pictures would have much more action!

Did I mention that they get up and go out on the water at 6:30 am

sometimes? Crazy!

Hershey Park & Myrtle Beach

Clay is officially tall enough to ride EVERY ride at Hershey Park. Not that he did of course, but he could. I'm so glad that he still has fun riding the smaller rides....

Once you're a big person, you stay that way FOREVER!

This was our car on the way to Myrtle Beach. At this point of the trip I had already been away from home for 8 days...my enthusiasm for car travel had started to wane...

My friend, Ginny, (from Hershey) met us at the beach. Several years ago, my cousin and her parents bought a sweet little home about 2 blocks off the beach. It's in a cute neighborhood with such great neighbors. We have been so blessed by this house! They let any family member use it at any time!

Trying to get 6 kids picture ready...

Clay was born for Hollywood.

oops..

LOVE this boy! He was also born for Hollywood! He is one of the nicest, outgoing kids I know..and Mikaela's best friend.

They make a sweet couple don't you think?

I love that they are both 10 and still little kids. When they first see each other after a year has passed, Clay can be VERY shy...but within 30 minutes, they're like two peas in a pod.

This picture just makes me smile.

I think they look like they could be siblings!

There's a story here...You see the little squirrel bottom left of the trunk? He desperately wanted Clay to notice him. We kept telling Clay not to move, but he just wasn't getting it..plus, he couldn't see the squirrel.

He's finally catching on..

I believe this is the point where we told him to stick his hand out and pretend that you have food...and his response..YOU stick your hand out and pretend YOU have food....he's no fool!

Then the squirrel got distracted by people that were sticking their hand out and he started playing with his "magic light" (that we had just paid way too much for)...

Building up some confidence.

Then Clay decided to be cocky and pretend that they were just chatting...but when the squirrel turned towards him, Clay screamed like a little girl...

Finally She decided she had to photograph him too..the squirrel that is.. :-)

So cool..

Honest to God, I made them pose 25 times to get this picture. It was black out and my flash kept washing them out completely...this one is adorable.

They truly are great friends.

I know these next 2 pictures are basically the same..but the look on Clay's face in the 2nd one is priceless to me. I can't even explain why..it just is. And how about her face..and pose? Just so sweet!

And now the sibling pose. Mikaela and my friends son...

Agreeably not the best of Mikaela. :-)

Clay just loves him.

We were able to go see the show here basically for free. The man that runs the show was kind enough to let the kids go for free (6 of them!) and my friend and I were half price! A very fun evening.

Hershey!

We hadn't been home in 2 years...

 

 We couldn't wait to visit the Mac's.

Angie was kind enough to let me have a birthday party for Clay. Although he has friends in Florida, his special friends are still in Hershey..doesn't it look like he's holding the bag hanging on the door? Weird.

 Yes, my friend Ann was also there...

 

Such a sweet girl...maybe we'll be related one day..

 

The crew 

 All Clay wanted for dessert was donuts! 

They are his absolute favorite.

Ann's sweet boy 

 

 

 Angie helped them prepare for the tower..

 Yay!