One Last Hurrah

Every summer deserves a great ending.

For us, that meant one last trip to the lake.

The weekend was filled with sunshine, good food, boating, swimming, family, friends, and laughter.

Our two biggest water lovers couldn't wait to get started.

If there's a board, a tube, or a rope involved, they're first in line.

While they tackled the water, Candice and I happily stayed behind the camera, capturing all the fun.

The driver of the boat.

B took a little time to teach Dawson the basics before strapping on a wakeboard for the first time.

Everyone was encouraging...

At least until Curtis decided it was time for swimming.

His preferred method?

Picking people up...

And tossing them into the lake.

One.

By.

One.

Sometimes...

Against their will.

The girls needed a little extra encouragement before trying a few new adventures.

One had to be talked into it.

Maybe even bribed.

Actually...

She was pretty much forced.

Fortunately, once everyone got out on the water, the smiles started appearing.

Well...

Most of the time.

Then came tubing.

Apparently, fathers and children experience tubing very differently.

The kids were squealing with excitement.

Their dad was laughing hysterically while launching them over every wave he could find.

Meanwhile...

I was sitting in the boat wondering if my heart would survive the afternoon.

The girls took their very first ride on the tube.

The boys, on the other hand, looked like seasoned professionals.

Somehow, they kept asking to go faster.

Watching the older boys perform their tricks was exciting enough.

The next activity...

Not so much.

I'm fairly certain my heart stopped beating for a second or two.

Thankfully, everyone survived.

By the end of the day, sun-kissed faces, wet towels, messy hair, and exhausted smiles filled the boat.

One little girl curled up next to her daddy for a nap.

Another proudly took her turn sitting in the driver's seat beside him.

And before we knew it, everyone was completely worn out.

I'd say that's the perfect ending to a perfect lake day.

Because if your kids fall asleep before you even make it home...

You know it was a successful adventure.

Goodbye, summer.

You treated us well.