Banks Lake July

Some valuable lessons brought to you by Banks Lake.

1. A big tent...is always a better tent. Mostly. Unless there is a wind and rain storm. Then? Not so much.

2. Life vests keep you safe. Hence the name. They also give you wedgies.

3. Fun in the water is different for everyone.

Example:

Or:

4. Expecting popcorn to last while on vacation is just silly.

5. You are free to jump off of rocks how you see fit.

6. Even on vacation, taking a header into a swing set is not the best idea.

7. Electronics are like magnets to our kids. They are sure to be your BFF's if you have a gadget.

8. If you float, you never float alone.

9. When a kid is skiing you take 90 gazillion pictures.

10. Boat rides are...as Nacho Libre would say..."The best!"

11. Especially if you have one arm around your best pal and your hand on Grandma's leg.

12. Aunt Ramonah makes this face...A Lot.

13. But in Ramonah's defense she makes this face a lot too.

14. Having cousins around is where it is at!

15. When Penny won't speak to you, ice cream bribery works wonders.

16. Having a cute face and telling people that you are saving up to buy "water shoes" really pays off.

17. Drinking water while driving a boat is, in Blake's book, document worthy.

18. You will be photo bombed.

19. Doing things that you did as a kid...were much easier when you were a kid.

20. Vacation is great. But tiring too.

21. The family that bathes together, stays together.

Summer Summarized

This summer mostly revolved around the new house and moving.

There was a lot of down time for the kids, that didn't involve a whole lot of anything. But we did get a few things in here and there. 

We went on hikes.

We climbed rocks.

We pet imaginary dogs.

We ran.

We were happy to play, then mad that it involved being away from Mom.

We were half a Spiderman.

Half a butterfly.

We had a hand "death grip" our heads, 

All in the name of pretty painted faces.

We watched Star Wars in our friends backyard, while Mom read a book.

(you would figure that at some point I would actually watch Star Wars, but I am still firm. I am too old to give in now.)

Penny potty trained herself.

Gavin went to Scout Camp and came home filthy...

and with a light saber. Makes sense.

We got scratches. 

Lots of them.

Some scratches ended in Mom playing doctor.

We got dirty.

We played with friends.

We got new hats and glasses.

Then proceeded to wear them EVERYWHERE.

We enjoyed the sun going down. 

We made a fort in the bathroom. 

Mostly because it is clean and practical.

We saw a 3D movie at the Planetarium about butterflies.

The glasses were entertaining. 

The movie was evidently "boring."

We "saved" a bird that Mozzy had caught. 

The bird was eventually put in the bushes to

--according to me--

"go back to its family"

Translation: Die.

We replaced the dead birds with balloon ones 

and then made fun of them.

We expressed our individuality via clothing choices.

We spied. In a completely non creepy way.

We swung.

Some of us higher then others.

We were happy.

Well...most of the time.

Mostly, we were happy for the change to the new house.

We were ready for the jump.

Want to follow our house progress?

You can find our new blog here: paintcanfixit.blogspot.com