Time on the Water

We've enjoyed a little time on the water as the summer weather has come to a close. Willow and I got out for a river float while Owen was at Away Camp. There's a new restaurant near the river that we enjoyed for lunch afterwards. 

We found out about a new rental company to use for river floats in town so we checked it out. It's nice to have an option in town!

We only got to the pool once with the Caldwells this summer! It's been harder to align schedules!

We checked out the map of places to get in and out of the river in town and decided to try the kayaks on the same river we floated a few weekends prior. There were some shallow parts which caused us to get stuck, but overall it was a fun first unguided river kayaking adventure!

The "rapids" may not look like much but they made us work!

 

Camping: Claytor Lake

We enjoyed camping and celebrating Hunter's 10th birthday over Labor Day weekend. We didn't want Owen to miss the first football game, so we missed the first night but headed down Saturday morning. We enjoyed games, biking, hiking, and hanging out at the campground on Saturday until the party boat rental that evening. It was fall-ish weather and the first time I'd felt chilly on the boat! It discouraged the adults (except Chad) from getting in the water, but the kids didn't let it slow them down! 

The Caldwells brought their jet ski for the first time and the kids each took a turn with Chad. It was a hit!

Sunday morning we headed on a hike to the lookout while the Caldwells had their turn on the speed boat. 

This is a recreation of Chris knocking down a large dead tree, that split in half, causing Willow to have to jump out of the way. We gave him a hard time for the rest of the hike. We each took lots of turns getting pulled behind the speedboat. We each told the driver our special requests for tight turns or not. Everyone had a great time!

This mom prefers a relaxed speed, which some may consider boring. 

Hunter had a birthday party with his friends at the bowling alley. The kids enjoyed pizza, cake, and bowling!

Monday morning we took the kayaks out before heading home. It was our first time having them out for a couple of years. We had bought a 3rd oar, which Owen used, so we teased Willow about being the "princess" since she was the only one who wasn't paddling. 

Willow and I made Hunter's Lego cake! He actually doesn't like cake but wanted candy Legos, so everything but the Legos were just a formality. ;)

Here's a highlight video from IG for the weekend.

Kayak Adventures

We got the kayaks out to enjoy a day on the water! 

The kids have enjoyed trying out paddling on their own!

Owen's happy place: outdoors with a stick and an apple

I'm not sure what's going on here...

The kids turned the kayaks into "stand up paddle boards:"

We embarrass Willow with multiple versions of the chant from the movie "Up." Here is the latest version we created "for her:"

Instagram reel for the day :)

Camping and Hunter's Birthday

We enjoyed camping at a state park with the Caldwells for Hunter's birthday. We took the kayaks with us camping for the first time. Once I saw a family pulling a camper with kayaks on their roof and I thought, "Those people look like a lot of fun!" and now we're "those people."

It was raining when we got to the campground so we decided to wait it out before setting up the camper. The kids enjoyed playing in the rain while we waited. Unfortunately we learned that water sits on the side sections of the camper when it's laid down because it dumped INTO the camper when we set it up. Lesson learned. 

We enjoyed taking the kayaks out on the lake for the first time. The kids both enjoyed paddling on their own some!

We made a timed challenge course for navigating without touching the beams!

So peaceful!!

Willow was even confident enough to take her cousins out without an adult! They didn't go too far :)

Can you spot the deer about 12 feet away from Owen?

We played at the beach for a bit!

We haven't figured out how to get all of our bikes along with us camping, but Kim has been gracious in allowing Willow to borrow hers. We were able to get Owen's in the camper but clearly, by his face, he wasn't a big fan. 

We had a different "party boat" to take out on the lake. This one was equally fun as the ones in the past. It had a diving board, slide, and a couple stand-up paddle boards. It had a grill as well, so we ate ON the boat this year!

It was fun to see everyone try out the paddle boards!

Hunter always likes taking a turn at the wheel!

The end to a great day!

The perfect shirt for the grill master!

Willow and Chris enjoying some reading time by a morning fire!

Hunter's birthday party with friends was at the pavillion at the lake. They enjoyed playing at the playground and a water balloon fight!

Happy 7th birthday, Hunter!