Boating

This past weekend we got to spend the day on my Dad's boat.  My Dad has been clocking a lot of hours since he got it this past Spring. Marguerite and Tim have gotten a ride or two, but the kiddos and I hadn't been on it yet.  With the season coming to an end we set a date.

I grew up spending a long weekend most summers at a small lake in Edinboro, Pa.  This is where my Dad and his brother, Dave, spent all summer growing up.  They were the show stopping water skiers on the lake and taught many people how to ski.  I learned to water ski when I was 12 and have many wonderful memories at that lake with my family.  Sadly, that chapter has come to a  close and the last little cottage of the Ashbaugh family has been sold.  It'll always be a special place to think back on.

This past Sunday we drove down to Occoquon where my Dad keeps it and went for ride.  We stopped the boat around Mount Vernon and enjoyed some lunch.  We then made it all the way up to Alexandria and the National Harbor.  We had a wonderful time visiting and just relaxing.  Whitney enjoyed checking out the boat and waving to all the other boaters.  Colin was a trooper and enjoyed the wind in his face, while getting in a good nap too.  We look forward to many more fun adventures on this boat!

Preschool

Whitney started Preschool!  It is hard to believe.  We have had a lot of anticipation for this day and Whitney did great!  I made it through with a little lump in my throat and a little swelling in my eyes but I held it together!

On Wednesday we got to go in and meet the teachers and have some play time.  The teacher is Mrs. Davis and her assistant is Mrs. Fries.  Whitney said she had a funny name.

The kitchen was her first stop.

Today, Friday, was the big day.  Whitney was ready.  We started the morning off with a special breakfast.

She was so excited she kept asking, "Mama is it time to go"?  Then she was relatively open to a little photoshoot.

Papa joined us for the first day and got lots of good action shots.

She hung up her bag. Which we still have to finish decorating.

 Found her name.

 Put it on the attendance board.

 Name tag for the first few weeks.

 Got busy playing.

 Quickly decided the kitchen was the place to be.

I was so proud of her and she was so excited to be there.  It made it so much easier for me!  I got to then socialize with some of the other Mom's at a coffee hour.  When I picked her up she came running towards me and just about knocked me over.  She had lots to say in the car ride home.  I look forward to many more days like this one!

At the beginning of each school year I plan to ask Whitney questions and see how they change over the years.  Some may change and some may be added.  We will see if she will still be up for it when she is 13 :)

1. What is your favorite color? Blue

2. What is your favorite food? Pancakes

3. What is your favorite TV show? George

4. What is your favorite sport? Soccer

5. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Chalk

6.What do you want to be when you grow up? Pilot

    * Note: These questions were cut down from 10 and had to be asked throughout the day.  I couldn't get her to answer them all in one sitting.  We will try for a few more next year!

Lake Trip Part 2

I forgot to mention one little detail about our trip.  We had gotten up early (4am) to get on the road, the kids kept sleeping and it  meant we would have almost a whole day at home and be home by about 11am.

Then we got a flat tire.  We were about 45 minutes from home and our car alarmed us that the air in the rear right tire was low.  And the number kept falling.  So, we got off at the next exit just in time for it to then go flat.  Tim saved the day by changing the tire.  Only delaying us about an hour.  

 We had to empty out the whole trunk to lower the tire. 

Labor Day at the Lake

Every year we look forward to bringing in the Fall season with a trip to the Lake in PA.  Our close friends, the Bowlins, have been hosting Labor Day up there for 9 years.  We started going the Labor Day after our wedding 6 years ago. It is a weekend of eating, drinking, fishing, nature walks, ATVing and game nights.

Oh, how things have changed since 7 kids have joined us.  We squeezed in one walk, maybe an hour of a game (Wits and Wagers--a new favorite thanks to Maggie), little fishing occured, the ATV was a big hit with the big kids and less drinks were consumed since we were all getting up by 7am!  We did get to relax though.  Since the babies still nap a lot and the big kids can entertain themselves, we were able to enjoy some good quality adult time.   Thanks dear friends, for a wonderful time!

Jake and Colin chillin' lake side.

 Yep, this is about what they did all weekend.

 The new Mama!

Ainsley showing the way to find sticks for the fire.

 Movie time!

 Patiently waiting to roast their marshmallows!

 Tom explaining the physics of fire.

 Still not fond of the fireworks, so we watched from the porch. 

But no tears this year!

 Then we went inside to hide from them.

 Dress up time!

 Ready for some food!

 As you can tell the big kids were not in the mood for a photo shoot.  After much coaxing this is the best shot we got.

 The babies were in good spirits though!

 A little sibling love.

 Abby partied way to hard.

 Packin' up!