Lake time

This past weekend we went to the lake.  Friday Chris flew in from the Philippines.  We picked him up at 4pm and started our drive to Lake Travis.  Austin.  Yes, he's a good daddy/husband to fly home and then drive 4 hours after being gone for 10 days and sitting on a plane for about 20 hours.  My friend Dara's mom lives on the lake and opened up her house to us and three other families plus Dara's.  We got in Friday night and Susie's house is like a toy store.  Oh my gosh, I wish I had a picture so you could see the heaven my kids were in.  Ella saw the TUB of Polly Pockets and had eyes the size of quarters and then didn't leave the bar for over an hour until she had to go to bed.  I promise you I've never seen so many Polly Pockets before.  She had a Dora doll house, another doll house, Strawberry Shortcake doll house, Buzz Lightyear big toy, tons and tons of toys that filled up a big bookshelf and then she had so many kid movies.   And, this was just grandma's house.  Oh my goodness!  On Saturday after breakfast we all went out on the boats.  E&B loved it.  In fact, Ella said, "This is the best day ever!!"  And, "Can daddy buy a boat?"  I'm all for a boat.  I love the lake and everything about it but something tells me my fair-skinned, red headed husband will never go for buying a boat.  Bennett was jumping off the back of the boat into the water having the time of his life.  Yes, the boat was parked at this moment.  Ella particularly enjoyed cruising around the lake and wanted to go "faster".  After the boat rides we went back to the house for lunch and then out back to swim in the pool.  Bennett might be the most fearless child ever.  He just jumps right into the pool and doesn't care if anyone is around to make sure he is, you know, BREATHING.  Susie also has a Step Two Roller Coaster on the deck.  Again, the kids thought this was awesome.  When Bennett was finished riding he'd just run over to the pool and jump on in.  Scared me a little.  All the while, the dads are out playing on the boat.  B kept me on my toes and didn't take a nap.  After swimming the kids went inside to bathe and then play in Toy Land.  Ella resumed her Polly Pocket spot, of course.  After dinner Dara took the kids on a walk to collect sticks for the S'mores fire.  S'mores sound like they're going to be a lot of fun but none of the kids really ate them except one or two.  Mine sure didn't.  I think the roasted marshmallows are delicious all on their own.  Finally, after dark we got those kids to bed and the adults we were able to sit outside (because it wasn't 100+ in the country), drink some beers, listen to tunes and be silly.  It was a great weekend with great friends!  Ella is already planning her next trip to Susie's house.

The first pictures of the lake/boat were not taken by me.  They are from Rachael and Heather's cameras.  I took them from our group site. :)

I wonder what these sweet girls are discussing...

I think Ella was telling Dara what she wants for her birthday.  I just thought the view was pretty.

Me and my babies

KK & Ella

Swimming with Susie

Ella and Shelby

Collecting sticks

Sunset

S'mores

Ella modeling

Dutch was one kid that enjoyed S'mores!

Trampoline fun

I forgot to mention that Ella woke up Saturday morning with blisters on her chest in the formation of a circle.  I was concerned but trying not to freak out.  We were out in the middle of no where with five other kids.  Thankfully our friend Gabe has connections in the dermatology world.  He sent a pic to a Dr. friend and Nobu called him and told him what he thought it might be - one of three things: 1) bug bite, 2) allergic reaction or 3) chicken pox.  What???  Ok, I was a little freaked because apparently even if they get the vaccine they can still get the chicken pox.  Great.  She had no fever and it wasn't spreading.  You just saw the pictures so clearly she had a ball and wasn't affected.  I kept my eye on her at all times.  She never touched her chest or complained.  Except maybe when I put sunscreen on.  She cried a little due to burning when some of the blisters had opened which made me want to cry.  On Monday I called the pediatrician's office first thing and made an appointment.  He said it looked like a bug bite and prescribed an antibiotic cream.  She still hasn't really complained.  She has said it itches maybe once or twice.  Such a good girl.  Well, about this.  Ask me about her brother and that's a whole different story. :)