Lake for the Day

Elizabeth and Michael each invited 2 friends to spend the day with us at Cave Run Lake; Steven and I invited Mom, who brought great food.  The weather could not have been more perfect, and the trip was definitely a highlight of our year.  We rented the double decker pontoon with slide that we used last summer with Laura's family.  The kids entertained themselves all day, alternating between jumping off the boat (I noticed when we were pulling back in to the marina that the rules clearly stated not to jump off the top deck; enormous oops on that one; see video at the end of each child jumping off the top), playing duck-duck-duck goose [a creative game in

the boat (I was exhausted just watching them)], sliding off the slide solo or with another person; steering the boat; swatting horse flies (they enjoyed that); and having water blaster fights (the

adults were unintended? victims).  The biggest hit was when Steven would throw a soaker ball for a child to catch as the child jumped off the top deck (if you put your glasses on and squint, you'll be able to see the ball headed toward Michael's hand in the photo below). Over and over and over (Steven got lots of practice treading water). Everyone got off the boat only when Mom bought everyone ice cream - the rest of the time, we were

out in the water.  Although one of the noodles managed to get stuck under the boat, it eventually was discovered and saved.  The only casualties were my sunglasses and a big beach ball (just like last year's innertube, except this year, we couldn't catch it).  We're going next year, in case anyone wants to join us. 

EJM in NYC

After heading to the West Coast during June, Elizabeth spent 4 days on the East Coast in July.  My high school/college friend Kim Reeder, who lives in California, moderated a tax commissioners' panel at a conference in NYC; the trip coincided with her daughter Ansley's 8th birthday, so Kim told Ansley she could go to NYC with her and invite a friend.  E was the very lucky girl Ansley selected.  They were quite the busy trio during their days in The Big Apple: they went to a Harry Potter exhibit (E has read all the books and seen all the movies); built a bear at Build a Bear (naturally); shopped at FAO Schwartz (yes, they played music on the huge floor keyboard); attended The Lion King (E's very favorite part); toured Times Square; hung out in Battery Park to take in the Statue of Liberty view; enjoyed Tea with Eloise at The Plaza; and of course, got to hear Kim moderate the panel of state tax commissioners during the conference (the girls got a lot of reading done during the panel, but did recall snippets of "tax levy," "property assessment", and "IRS compliance").  Just listing the objective facts of their trip doesn't do justice to just how much fun Elizabeth had during her days with Kim and Ansley. I was thrilled that they stayed with us overnight before their flight as well as for a bit after they returned to
Kentucky.  As before, Elizabeth and Ansley staged a fashion show that included dancing, while modeling casual, funky, and party clothes (I believe those were the categories).  I can't believe I've been close friends with Kim for more than half of my life - a deep, enduring friendship for sure.

More cousins to play with!

We'd known they were coming for a few months and sort of patiently counted down the days.  Finally Bennett, Tiffany, Sam, and Elise were in town!  They made 2 visits to our house and resourceful Elizabeth is travelling to Morehead today to fit in one more during her overnight at Grandma's. 

We'd seen them earlier this year, but the children really had grown physically and developmentally during the past few months.  Sam is so happy all the time (can he teach me how to be that way?) and Elise is quite the athlete.  Everyone got along with everyone else; no troubles (although Michael wanted me to include that Elise did hurt her toe on the concrete and that made us all sad).  Sam and Michael had a lot of strategizing going on with the Nerf blasters (I refuse to write the word 'gun'); there was tag with rules that were made up as they went (see video

below); Elise loved building the puzzles of the Oh Rats! game, which was Elizabeth's favorite game when she was young (yes, that is the only reason we still have a game for 3 year olds); and we got to see Elise's amazing smile over and over again as she disappeared into the closet then came back out, shouting "Hello!".  Elise had fun with a doll house while Sam and Michael played with Michael's friend Riley - a little bit of wii, a little bit of DS, a lot more of the Nerf blasters.  And everyone played with my favorite toy - Fisher-Price!!  Both kids warmed up to Zoe by the end and liked petting her. 

We feel so lucky to have seen the whole family twice this year.  I love talking with Tiffany about all kinds of topics, and all of our fingers are crossed for seeing them at Christmas, too!