a day on the lake

I had a real weekend this past week... Saturday AND Sunday off!  That hasn't happened too many times in the past year.  I originally requested it because Jen, in a moment of insanity, planned to go camping Friday through Sunday with her parents, who were camped on a waterfront site at a local state park.  Remembering the effort of packing for a family of six and camping with Benny (at the same park) this time last year, her better judgement returned, and she decided to just make it a day trip on Saturday.

Lily took her bike, which she recently learned to ride without training wheels, and Grandpa helped her with some fishing.  Zachary took his bike and his fishing gear.  Dylan took his fishing gear and a favorite book.  The four adults took turns keeping Benny out of the water... and the road... and the neighbor's campsites... you get the picture!

The state park had canoe, kayak, and pedal boat rentals... hourly or daily.  The boys had asked me to rent a pedal boat on other occasions, and (being the cheapskate that I am) I had never rented one.  At Jen's suggestion, I went to the concession to price the rentals... $10 per hour or $40 per day.  I asked if I could exchange boats throughout the day if I paid for the daily rental, and they agreed, so (at the suggestion of my wife) I splurged and paid for the daily rental.  The boy's excitement was priceless... sometimes it's the simple things.

I have wanted a kayak for a while, but I have other priorities.  Do you see a theme here... (being the cheapskate that I am)?  I had never actually used a kayak, so I started out the day with a single person.  It wasn't exactly the style of kayak that I want, but it was good enough to get the idea. 

I paddled around for a while, then let the kids try it out.  I hooked a rope to it at first (training wheels for a kayak), making sure they would be able to maneuver it a little way from the shore and back to me, before turning them loose to go a little further into the inlet.  Dylan and Zachary passed the test and I let them paddle independently (but close to the campsite).

Jen tried it out, and liked it... which is a plus if I ever actually decide to purchase a kayak, or two.  Of course, I would need to sell my canoe first, and apply that to the purchase of a kayak.

I asked Lily if she wanted to try.  Of course, she, who never backs down from a challenge, enthusiastically said yes.  I didn't let her off the rope, but she handled it pretty impressively for her size.

Jen's parents

Dylan's perfect day... fishing and reading.

After we had our fun with the kayak, I exchanged it for a five person pedal boat.  The boys were so excited.  I'm not sure how many miles they pedaled on the lake that day, but they were in that boat almost the whole day.  I'd say they got my money's worth.

We cruised the lake

The Farmer's Insurance blimp flew over the lake

They used it as their bass boat

more fishing

more cruising

The boys taking the ladies for an evening cruise

The two skippers loving "their" boat

Lily caught several fish with Grandpa's help.  I think she might be "hooked" on fishing.  Sunday afternoon she was telling me, "Daddy, I need a tackle box... and a jar to put worms in."  She can be a girlie girl, but she's not afraid to keep up with a house full of boys!  I guess I need to be learning how to fish.

Father's Day 2011

Today is the day America designates to honor the role of fatherhood.  As a man, I am the generation that currently occupies the "sweet spot", in that I can celebrate fatherhood with generations in both directions.

This morning, as I took my family to church, I reflected upon the importance of my role as a father, and just how fortunate I am to be trusted with fathering these four young lives.  This afternoon, my immediate family of twelve people, spanning three generations and three households, gathered at a mutually convenient state park for a Father's Day picnic.  It was a good day to be both a father and a son.

A father, his sons, his grandsons and granddaughters

My Dad

Cousins

Ornery

Dylan is happiest with a line in the water

Cousins

"Awwwww, pup-peeee"

Benny was drawn to this adorable puppy at the neighboring picnic group.  Makes me want to get the boy a puppy... but, with 4 kids, who needs another living thing to care for?

My brother brought his canoe

Lily's first ever canoe ride

Dylan got promoted from kids seats in the center, to front seat with a paddle!

Daughters-In-Law

Benny Jay

ahhh...saturday

Saturday is a good day to shop for a car.  I, therefore, have worked every Saturday since beginning my current job.  However, since I'm coming up on 6 months of employment, I figured I was due to ask for a Saturday off.  And, I did just that.

I originally took it off because my extended family had an annual fall hayride and weenie roast today.  We planned to go.  The weather was great.  But, life is generally busy, Benny had a slight fever yesterday, and we were just in the mood to spend a beautiful Saturday closer to home.

Since Jen wanted Benny to get a good nap this afternoon, and Lily was on the whiny side around lunchtime, I decided to spend some needed quality time with my two oldest sons in the afternoon.  I asked them what they wanted to do (outside), and, of course they couldn't choose the same activity.  Dylan has been bugging me to take him fishing for months, so he, naturally, requested fishing.  I don't really fish, but he likes it LOVES it.  Zach fishes a little, but he's not crazy about it.  He chose hiking.  So, we did a little of both.

The leaves were starting to get colorful at a state park near our home.

Silly boys...

Sillier boys...

Come on guys, give me a decent picture!

trail time

My boys are getting big

And, we finished the afternoon fishing at a friend's stocked pond.

Seven?

Yesterday was Zachary's seventh birthday. It doesn't seem like he should be that old already, but time has a way of flying by. I usually try to spend some individual time with each of my kids on or near their birthdays, so Dylan, Zachary and I went hiking Friday evening at a State Park near our home. We took Dylan along, because his birthday is in a month, and I think I will, unfortunately, be out of town for his birthday.

I hate snakes, but we saw this Black Ratsnake climbing this vertical rock wall. You can't tell in the picture, but he is already about four feet off the ground. It was pretty fascinating to watch.

We started Saturday morning with birthday cake for breakfast. It's not our normal pattern to eat cake for breakfast, but we were planning to be at Jen's Aunt and Uncle's house most of the day for a homecoming cookout for Jen's cousin and his wife, returning from a year-long mission trip to Africa. Zachary was excited to get some new military "action figgers" for his birthday.

It's a little hard to see in the picture, but we saw this "cloudbow" at the picnic.

The kids did some fishing in Uncle Lance and Aunt Susie's pond. Grandpa C. introduced Lily to fishing. She didn't catch anything, but had fun trying.

We finished the day playing at a nice park around the corner from their house.

Happy Birthday, Zachary... we love you bunches! You're my favorite Zachary in the whole world!