Boys and their toys!

Last weekend Brady did quite a bit of yard work around the house. He mowed the front and back yards, did the trimming, trimmed the hedge along with several other bushes and did a few other odds and ends. In working with the leaf blower at one point, Brady questioned just how powerful this "toy" really was. With the help of his three brothers, he decided to find out. When held close to the face the force of air coming from the blower was very intense, and I'm told a bit painful! The sacrifice was worth the laughs!
Avery

Avery

When Brady took his turn for the camera, I noticed he didn't hold the blower as close to his face as what he did for Avery and Bryson!

And of course, Kaden had to get in on it too! At least at this point they thought of using eye protection and stood further back!

If it looks like Bryson is in pain... well, he is! Oh, yeah, the leaf blower also played funny tricks on the stomach!

Boys will be boys!

More pictures from the lake

I just had to post a few more pictures so Maria could see them! She left for the lake without her camera! She didn't turn back to get it because she thought if she did, she would then be late. As it turned out, having been 12 years since I've been to the lake, I made a wrong turn on our way there and I was the one who arrived late!

When is Brady going to learn to pick on someone his own size?

While at the lake we celebrated CJ's sixth birthday! Maria ran into friends from their school and invited them to join in on the celebration.

Back to the lake of my childhood

My father worked for the Gettysburg College all through my childhood and beyond. The college owned a large log cabin within walking distance of Laurel Lake. Each summer my father had the opportunity to rent the cabin for one week at a cost of twenty dollars! Who could pass that up? This is where we spent our vacation each summer. The college also had a boat to take out on the lake. I have many fond memories of the cabin and of Laurel Lake. The last time I had been to the lake was when Brady was a baby, twelve years ago! Last week my sister-in-law and I took the kids for a day at the lake, and what a day it was!! At first we had the lake and beach to ourselves!

The water was cold, but as usual, that didn't stop my children from going in!

There was also fun in the sand! Ashton was doing cannon balls into a pile of sand she and Kaden had made.

Bryson

My nephew, CJ

My nephew Mitch started out trying to fish, but without success. I found out later from a friend at church who is familiar with all the state parks, etc. that Laurel Lake was drained dry less than two years ago. When they did that, it killed off all the fish. It only took 6 or 7 months for the lake to fill back up, but the fish population will take much longer! Sorry Mitch, wish we would have known!

Kassie kept trying to find a gem on the bottom of the lake!

Several of the children took their turn being buried in the sand, first was Ashton

Good idea using goggles as eye protection!

Brady

CJ was wise and kept his arms free!

Even Kaden gave it a try!

And then there was Mitch!

We had such a great time at Laurel Lake that I plan on taking the kids back there one more time before the season ends! The children have off school this Friday...Laurel Lake, here we come!

YW swim party

Last week the Young Women that I work with from church had a swim party at a member's home. Here's Norine watching from above as we enjoy her beautiful pool.
Not everyone got in, but at least enjoyed a little foot soak! Brenda showed off her latest pedicure to Courtney and Sam.

Allyson and Jocelyn

Kassie goes head first down the slide, but only after I did it first!
Trying to maneuver those ores wasn't so easy!

This Thursday it's Relief Society's turn at the Henrie's pool so I get another chance to swim. I'm hoping to talk Norine into opening her hot tub again! Loved that!