Memorial Day Weekend

Happy Memorial Day!

What a day to pause and remember all who fight and serve our country and pay the ultimate price in sacrificing their lives for our freedom.  They so deserve to be celebrated.  I tried even harder this year to explain to Kinley what Memorial Day is and all that it means.  

It is a tough subject for a 5 year old but,  I think she somewhat got it.

We spent Memorial Day weekend at the lake with our families and it could not have been more fun or relaxing.  It is such a blessing for my kids that all 4 of their grandparents are friends and love hanging out together and would not rather be anywhere else than with them.  

It is always a treat.

The highlight of our weekend this time was that we rented some stand up paddle boards for the first time.  It was a HUGE hit and I totally foresee us purchasing one in the future.  

It was the perfect thing for us to do  right from the house with the water level still being somewhat low.  

It was a big hit for adults, kids of all ages, and even dogs :)

Ignore the preggo belly...I just swear one day when I am 80 or even just past kid-bearing age I will love to look back on what it looked like for me to be pregnant with each kid.  So, I make sure to include some of those.

There were only a few falls off the SUP boards.  

The most dramatic being one time when Kinley and Mendy both fell in the middle of our cove.  There was not a second where they weren't safe but Kinley was terrified of the unexpected fall and screamed from sheer terror for a few minutes.  But, we talked her through it and told her she was safe and that it was fun and before long she was asking to head back out on the board and telling the story all night long.

We also had lots of boat time cruising on the water and both kids loved being in the drivers' seat.

 

My pretty girl...she is looking SO big!

 

Even though the water was pretty much freezing, Ty wanted in and thankfully Ben, Alex and Mendy made sure he had some swim time.  You can only keep a toddler on a boat surrounded by water so long before they are just dying to get in.

They have the best aunts and uncles ever!

 

We also spent lots of time at the house grilling, eating, playing in the sand, the baby pool and on the swing set.

What mom?  I am so cool filling up my pool.

We also fished every day and Alex even shot a couple water snakes in the head from the dock with his pellet gun.  

This nevers get old to boys no matter what your age.

Kinley was a nurse one day and everyone had an ailment whether you wanted one or not.  Her specialties are making slings for broken arms and bandaging wounds on extremities.

It was a special family-filled weekend for us and we are so thankful for the chance to spend so much time with our parents and siblings.  

We love you all so much!