Claytor Lake- The 4th of July

We had a great 4th of July this year. While it was cooler than the rest of the week, we still were able to enjoy the lake and fireworks. 

Drew and Creed showed off their dock jumping skills...

Ready for the fireworks

First off...sparklers! 

Drew and his friend got up early that morning and drove to Bristol, TN just to get real fireworks. The put on an excellent show from the top of the dock. We stayed a safe distance away up on the deck. ;)

Luke & Papa watching the show

Emma & Eleanor

Thomas & Caleb

A group shot

(Eleanor just adored Luke and mothered him all week. He ate it up!)

Our summer trip to the lake always goes by too fast, yet it holds so many awesome memories. So thankful for time spent with family and friends!

Claytor Lake- Fun & Family

We all love boating, swimming, and water sports, which is why a lake vacation is so perfect for us. We love the slower pace of life at the lake and living on "lake time." What time is it? It doesn't matter- we're at the lake. ;)

We also love meeting up with friends each year around the 4th of July. The boys miss their Minneapolis friends, and couldn't wait to see them!

Luke & Eleanor

Caleb & Thomas 

We also did a little surfing

and started to try some tricks.

Luke decided that he loved to jump off the swim platform and yelled "Cowabunga Dude!" every single time he jumped.

Back at the dock, there was lots more swimming, jumping, and "Cowabunga Dude!" 

Uncle Drew came mid-week and the boys were so happy to see him.

Aunt Dana and Uncle Steve also showed up mid-week for a little R&R

and so did Marshma and Papa.

This is Creed's I'm so happy to be here face.

The whole gang (minus Luke)

John & Emma (11), Eleanor & Allie (8), Thomas (6), and Caleb

Creed and I did our annual fish fry with the fresh bluegill that we caught the first weekend. This year Creed made a cabbage slaw and we had fish tacos. Delish!

And...

Meet the newest member of the family...

7 week old Hollie! 

(Or Hollie Girl as Luke calls her)

We all fell in love with sweet Hollie Girl! She is the cutest and wildest little thing you've ever seen. 

Claytor Lake- On the Pontoon

We had the perfect week at PeePaw's & Grandma Beth's lake house in Virginia. We simply love Claytor Lake and spent seven full days there at the end of June through the 4th of July weekend. (Claytor is the perfect lake...it feels like you are in the middle of nowhere, yet there is a Wal-Mart and restaurants one exit up on the interstate. And, about 20 minutes away there is a big town with a mall, lots of restaurants, movies, etc. Plus the lake is never crowded. Like I said, perfect!) The weather was beautiful and we were on the lake from around 10am until at least 5pm (if not later) each day, with a few after-dinner swims too. 

The boys are officially lake rats and both are requesting to move there. ;)

In order to have our annual fish fry, we spent the first few days on the pontoon fishing. 

Our handsome S-I-X year old!

Luke will be the next big fisherman of the family- he loves it. He hung with us on the boat most of the day.

(Little blanket went too.)

Caleb's Celebration

We just got back from an incredible week spent with family at the lake. I have lots of pictures so share, but for now, here are some from Caleb's birthday celebration a few weeks ago. We had a low key, fun evening with family and friends...and lots of water. 

A wagon full of water balloons 

Slip and slide fun

Happy Birthday, Caleb!