Summer on the Water

This week the girls and Sarah swam about 5 out of 7 days. It has certainly been a summer on the water. While we were together with the Astle clan we were fortunate to get out on Deer Creek Reservoir for some boating fun.

Caitin and Jamie had previously been scared of doing anything outside of the boat. BUT watching their cousins go tubing changed everything! Jamie is a brave little soul, and quite adventurous. She told me that she wanted to go. As we were gearing up for the next turn Caitin decided that she would also like to go...as long as we went slow! While we were out tubing, Caitin informed me that she was nice to go tubing so Jamie wouldn't be scared, and that's why she decided to go tubing. Anyway, here's the video:



Note that my surfing skills need a little work. Both Caitin and Jamie told me not to do it, and I still tried. Guess my listening skills could also use some work.

Well, at least there's hope for the surfing part:



Despite the overwhelming trembeling on Caitin's part, she was talking the whole ride about how much fun it was. She liked the warm froth against her legs, and she enjoyed holding onto that handle...so much that it took some real convincing to get her to let go!

Jamie was just chill the whole time. So fun to get them out behind the boat on a night that we all got in the water!

The Duckie Slide

While camping on the Green River with my family, we had several Duckies (inflatable canoes) which we discovered are fun as boats...AND as waterslides!



I particularly loved watching my nephews, the "Velcro Brothers", who pressed on and eventually were able to slide the entire length of the canoe and get their faces wet in the river.

Thanks to my sisters who: brought the duckies, provided a wet box for the camera, and conducted filming while their brothers/husbands splashed around like little kids!

Family Meal Time

I've always been a fan of the aristocracy of my family at mealtime. We have always practised the best of manners, else mother would whoop us!

For example:



It was always a pleasure to bring outsiders into the family circle to experience such culture. It's no wonder we are all happily married!

P.S.: Note how Jamie is enthralled by such behavior.

Campers Return

Jamie and Caitin spent the weekend camping with Grandma and Grandpa Astle, and look what kind of monsters we got back:



OK, well the facepaint was all us (a reward for being good while away), but they have never had a pillow fight before, and this one broke out spontaneously. I think they got some coaching while they were away!

Sarah and I had a great time in our quiet house. It was sweet to just go do whatever we wanted without planning around the kids. But it was great to see them again this afternoon and to have their laughter and scheming to deal with tonight...for the most part.

Wakeboarding Coach

Recently I've been coaching my friend Adam along in his wakeboarding skills...

He seems to be making good progress. Since he didn't quite land that backroll at the end, I decided to show him what he did wrong:

Just one of the sacrifices us coaches have to make!