Just a Week

Just 1 week left and the school blues are me hitting hard... so I'll hang on tight for 7 more days! We'll have as much fun as humanly possible ....

Mrs. G put a poem on Adalie's graduation program last June that read....

Children are like Kites

You spend a lifetime trying to get them off the ground. You run with them until you are both breathless - they crash - you add a longer tail - they hit the rooftop - you pluck them out of the spout, you patch and comfort, adjust and teach. You watch them lifted by the wind and assure them that someday they will fly! Finally they are airborne, but they need more string and you keep letting it out and with each twist of the ball of twine, there is a sadness that goes with the joy because the kite becomes more distant and somehow you know that it won't be long before that beautiful creature will snap the life line that bound you together and soar as it was meant to soar!

Somehow in June the meaning was lost on me, but today it hits home. So today, I will savor .... and in 1 week I will let some string out again and enjoy watching them fly!

Josiah Masters the Single

I can still remember the Christmas that I got my very own EP single ski; black and red with a black cover. It was my own ski; not shared and not handed down, but my very own! Then I waited all winter long and some of the summer to gain enough courage to give it a try. I remember my Mom in the water with me near "ski beach" and my Dad driving our yellow jet boat. I don't remember how many tries it took me to get up, but I do remember my mom right next to me, my Dad's encouragement, and the first elated feeling of being on top of the water on 1 ski! I remember the pure excitement of mastering my very own single ski!

Now, 25 years later, my oldest daughter would attempt the same feat, on the same old ski I had learned on. With me in the water with her, and her Dad driving our blue Sanger. and her sister with the camera and an encouraging word, she gave it her all. I don't remember how many tries it took, but I do remember the flood of excitement, joy, pride, and blessing that flooded over me as I watched her rise out of the water with a few wobbles and ski away from me in a loop around the lake, all by herself, on her very own single ski. She had mastered it.... and it was fun to watch!

What incredible memories; both old and new, we have here on this old lake!

Adalie's Summer

Adalie has had a summer of many firsts. But our favorites have to be the losing of teeth and the gaining of bravery behind the boat!

Whatever drives our little topless summer girl to keep up with the pack, we will never know.... she has had that drive since she was a little pee wee!

But we do know that we love love love the new toothless smile!

Official Tooth Record: 1 lost on Uncle Jon's Bday, 2 lost at Mammoth, 3 lost while river rafting on Uncle Joel and Aunt Mariann's Bday and 4 lost today while swimming!

Swimming with Friends

A day at the Lake swimming with friends! How we love to swim, and be silly!

Birthdays on the Merced River

It seems to be fast becoming a summer tradition to float down the Merced River in Yosemite. This year, we floated to celebrate Uncle Joel and Aunt Mariann's Birthday. It was a day filled with swimming, paddling, splashing, picnicking, rope swinging, canoe flipping (Elias and Carrie flipped on a log, just like Amma once did as a kid!), boat snatching, water bailing, tooth loosing (yes, Adalie lost another tooth while rafting - how does that happen!!), and more.

But best of all, was the experience of seeing Yosemite in such a slow and peaceful way. To lay back on your raft and watch the mountains move by was really incredible!

Happy Birthday!

Mammoth Pools Again

We just can't seem to resist the call of smooth water, rocks to jump off of, tents to pitch, camp food to cook, open fires, s'mores, waterways to explore on the canoes, bocce ball, and more. But this time... we got to share our adventures with family too!

Adalie Doubles

So, we are at Mammoth Pools and it is just the 4 of us in the boat. The water is glass smooth. We are skiing round robin and it is Adalie's turn. Adalie had generously loaned her horseshoe ski to some of her friends to try out. So, we swung by their beach, but they were out skiing with her ski.

So, I casually say, "well, Adalie, I guess if you are going to ski your turn, you will have to use the doubles..." To which she replies her classic, "oh fine!" Seth and I give each other a quick glance of "did she just say "oh fine"?? Did that just work? No way!!" But neither of us wasted a seconds time. We have learned that when they say "yes", do not hesitate for even an instant because courage does not last long when you are trying something new!

In the blink of an eye, we are on the beach, life jacket and gloves are on, skies are on the feet, rope is in hand, instructions are given, camera is out and "hit it" is the last thing they hear!

But of course, our Adalie, who will always be known as the "girl who would never be left behind" got right up and skied and skied.

The first time they ski whether it is a horseshoe, doubles or even a single will always bring a lump to my throat and a cry of joy on my lips!