Busy Day On The Lake; Pirates and Water Play

A downpour of rain woke me from a deep sleep Saturday morning. Unfortunately, it woke Aaron as well. I was a little worried for two reasons. One, because Aaron needed more sleep and two, because we were supposed to head an hour north to Steve's parent's house for a day on the lake doing "pirate" things. We didn't really have any idea what "pirate things" meant, but boy did we find out.

So with the rain pouring down, and threat of severe weather later in the day, we still packed up swimsuits, extra clothes, and a cooler and headed out.

By the time we got there, it was starting to clear a little and Steve's mom was in the process of filling balloons with water.

Let me make this a little clearer...not water balloons, but regular balloons with water. Guess how big they were? More on that later...

So Steve's mom breaks out pirate costumes, complete with eye patch, hat, tattoos, bandannas, an dmoustaches. After some coaxing, Noah dons the garb...



















and so does Aaron



















They just may be the cutest pirates ever in existence, but I am a bit biased.

So we get to the dock and start loading up the boat. Noah was a bit restless (so what else is new?) an d jumping around quite actively when I hear a jingle...

Oh, S@&T! Yes, I know I have never almost sworn on this blog, but it was the true sentiment at the moment. My entire key chain heads down into the bottom of the lake. I was a bit worried because of our car key not being replaceable and I had to tell Steve what I had just done. Instead of just telling Steve, Steve's parents and his brother's family are ALL coming to the dock when I had to admit this. So, as I was not so calmly relating the story, I got accused of "male bashing" by one family member and Steve makes it very clear that we are not leaving until the keys are retrieved. Now, Steve is not the strongest swimmer, but he knew there was no way I was going in. So first he attempts to reach it with a golf ball retriever. Not happening. Then he lowers himself until the water trying to feel them but starts stressing over not being able to touch the murky bottom. Then follows about ten minute's of arguing (remember the whole family is witness to this) when Steve's brother finally says "Let me try" He goes in, finds the keys with his feet, and brings them up. Hurray! Uncle Bill saves the Day! And Aaron reminded us constantly for the rest of the day (and today as well).

So, finally, after what is hoping to be the only crisis of the day, we all head out to the "pirate thing". As we are heading around the first bend, there are pirate flags on every boat and Steve's mom and brother start loading up the water launchers. This is the scene outside the boat...















and inside the boat...














And before we know it, water balloons are being launched at us and people are driving right up next to us and blasting us with water. I think Aaron had the right idea...
















He cried and screamed in terror each time an "attack" was launched. I started to worry that this would scar him for life. Luckily, after a few attacks, Steve's dad (along with Aaron) drove the boat away from the action so we could anchor and eat some lunch.














After having some nourishment with their cousins Olivia and Carter














Everyone followed Uncle Bill into the water for a swim. Even Mommy went into the water (which Daddy expressed surprise with numerous times)















jumping off the boat and climbing back up over and over again



















So, after getting refreshed, it was off to more pirate attacks. However, it seemed that the pirate thing was losing it's interest so we headed to a beach for some MORE swimming. At that point, the daddies broke out the remaining HUGE balloons and the kids used the rest of them up. Here's Aaron throwing one to Steve's mom.














Then, the kids heard that another group were catching little perch with nets. Noah and Olivia tried to get in on the action.



















Next, came a quick visit to Steve's Aunt and Uncle who also have a house on the same lake. The pirate part of the day was much more fun this time because Steve's uncle sat on the dock launching balloons at boats as they passed by. Meanwhile, Noah and Olivia played in the water and on the inflatable bouncy thing tied to the dock.














and I got some snuggle time with Aaron.














So, are you as exhausted reading about our day as we were when we got back to Steve's parents house? After a bite to eat of sloppy joes, we washed up and headed out. It was indeed the easiest bedtime we have ever encountered. We got home around 8:15 and both boys bee-lined for their beds.

Steve got sun fried for only the second time in the 14 years that I have known him. Good thing we had bought that lotion a little while back.

I hope you enjoyed this little photo story. It was fun to relive it again as I wrote this post. I hope you all had a great weekend adventure as well.