Trip to "the Lake"

After we had a great time at "the lake" with the Johnsons the previous summer we decided we needed to make it an annual event.  This summer the perfect weekend to do it was when the Johnsons were still hosting a Japanese exchange student named Kyoka.  This time around we were only doing a day trip, but we were ready to make the most of it and included the Ingle-Mayfields as well.

We quickly learned from last year that you can never have too many flotation options when you go to the lake, and it is impressive that we were able to actually get people on the boat in addition to all of the tubes and other inflatable objects.  The kids had a blast, and the adults had a pretty good time too.

Nothing says the lake like tubing behind a pontoon boat.  You can get just enough speed to make it entertaining, but not so much that safety is an issue.  Callie, Murphy, and Vivie Ann were the first to volunteer to get the party started.  This ride was pretty long, mellow, and full of giggles.

Next up, though, we had a threesome that raised the level of craziness.  Jessica volunteered to take Reese and Emerson on the tube.  These two are the most fearless of the bunch, and clearly Reese was happy to stand up to show off.  You may not be able to see it, but Emerson was standing up too with a huge smile on his face. Danger is definitely his middle name.

But if you really want the job done right, you have to get the mothers out there.  Jessica, Ann-Phillips, and Sarah decided to combine a day at the lake with Cirque de Soleil.  They were truly impressed with themselves and their audience on the boat was impressed as well.

So on this trip we rented a pontoon boat with a second level that had a slide going off the side.  But when you have a second level you can also jump off into the lake.  Or, if you are Emerson, you can have an adult throw you off the side.  It took a few minutes for Emerson's parents to convince John that it was perfectly acceptable/normal for him to throw the two-year-old off the side of the boat, but he finally relented.  And Emerson couldn't get enough. Eventually all party goers indulged in the jumping fun.

All good things must come to an end, and so as the sun began to get lower in the sky we had to head back to the marina.  It was a full day of fun with great friends.  And there is something relaxing about being on a boat and listening to the water rush by.

We couldn't leave without a final group photo and some ice cream.  We are lucky to have such a good group of friends, especially when the kids have grown up together.  We can't wait for the next trip to the lake, whichever lake that might be.