Summer Vacation- Raquette Lake

Now that August is almost over, I guess I should finish a post from our July vacation!!

We spent the last week of July with Gram and BB at Raquette Lake, and were so fortunate to have wonderful weather for most of the week.

We started out with some book reading with BB- Kaitlyn's favorite, Old McDonald had a Farm.
Although I never got a full action picture, the kids made the canoe and kayak into a variety of items many mornings (I'm sure our neighbors enjoyed their activities at 9am!)- a garbage boat, the WW Durant, a delivery boat and more. Of course they had to check the engines, ropes and bring lots of items from the porch as well as mother nature (including a really big log!) on their adventures.
Wait? They were sitting quietly?! really.... this did happen.
Hanging out with Gram.
Paul and daddy spent some serious time completing a puzzle- and it was saved for the entire week.
This was a HUGE highlight of the trip- little Paul got to help Uncle Steve put in his catamaran.... this involved riding in the Mule, attaching it via rope to the catamaran, pushing it into the lake, riding in the skiff to get the catamaran, towing it to the buoy.... wow.... he was speechless for most of the activity!
Coming to get the catamaran......
Daddy helped a little too....
Off we go!
There was also a golfing adventure to the chip and putt. The three boys started off...
This little guy has quite a swing (if he gets the ball)- but we need to work on yelling "fore" when your ball is headed towards a family member....
The annual picture in front of the kids' trees- both Paul and Kaitlyn as well as their trees are getting so tall!
More golfing....
Watching Gram, Daddy and Mommy take a few swings...
My turn! Kaitlyn tried hard to figure it out.... and might have made a divot or two in the grass (shhh.... don't tell BB!)
Headed back home- both kids loved riding in the Gator- and BB drives nice and fast :)
Enjoying a lunch at the leantoo- Daddy and BB came directly from a big project in the woods digging and installing a 20' culvert pipe to help a stream travel under one of the trails (especially when it rains).... lots of rocks and dirt to be moved!
Check out this hard working guy- he definitely earned his lunch!
Ready for the lake... or a puddle....
Aren't I cute? Frog boots are definitely the right accessory for a polka dot bathing suit.
We also celebrated my 33rd birthday a few weeks early. There was lots of interest in helping me to blow out the candles.
One of the funniest events was when we gave the kids new moose pajamas which we bought while out on a "dinner date"- during which we dodged rain storms to make out rip without getting drenched! The pajamas say "I moose have a hug" and the kids LOVED them.
Paul and daddy also got to test out the 'new' four wheeler- they both really enjoyed it.
The grand opening of the new 'bridge' - thanks to BB and daddy's had work. We had to stage the picture with all of the "toys"- Gator, loader and 4 wheeler
Gram decorated with the flags as well. Kaitlyn and I were in the Gator.
Daddy and Paul showing the stream which will be 'detoured' through the new culvert pipe.
Ready to take off on my own!
Okay, now we can really take off!
Who let her drive?
We enjoyed a wonderful boat cruise one evening for "happy hour"
You might see this one on the Christmas card:
The little daredevil loved sitting by herself....
And then the silly face...
The whole crew in front of the newly built (and stained, thanks to daddy and BB) leantoo.

Raquette Lake and 4th of July

We returned this Saturday afternoon from a great trip to Raquette Lake, including the annual Green Point 4th of July picnic, lots of time in the lake and sand, a leantoo staining project for BB and Paul and many good laughs. Kaitlyn was under the weather for much of the trip, but seems to have made a good recovery.

Kaitlyn and I tested out the tube- she wanted to cruise around and loved being able to kick with mommy.Getting ready for the big 4th of July picnic with 60+ neighbors- in the fancy new leantoo which was just finished!

Gram and her buddy Kaitlyn!

Gram and BB catching up with Mr. VanderLinde.

Mmmm.... the best part-dessert! Kaitlyn enjoyed Aunt Susan's cupcakes the best way- icing first.
The weather was wonderful, so we spent a lot of time relaxing at the lake, especially once the three loads of sand were delivered by Paul and Paul III (with some help from the girls).
The kids loved hanging out on the porch- they often dragged their chairs out each morning and would wait to see the boats go by. One day the chairs were turned into lawnmowers and had to be repaired!

BB's morning exercise routine also provided some good laughs- and at least a few minutes of entertainment for the kids!

A fun picture of our little gal on the porch....
To celebrate the 2nd coat of stain on the leantoo (apparently a third coat was done by BB after we left), we had a cookout for lunch with hot dogs and marshmallows on the fire.
Check out this beautiful leantoo!The post-lunch activities included some silly things with BB- from some in-depth conversations to rolling down the hill.The big kid showing how to do the roll....
This was hillarious- little Paul had to run out of the way pretty quickly!
Now it's our turn to try it!!Relaxing with Gram....
Even though the weather was great, BB had to water some of his grass.... but a lot of the sprinkler water got used by his little friends before it made it to the grass!
More playing in the lake...

And lots of digging in the sand!!

Paul had fun testing out a little green play boat... simliar scene was about 30 years ago when I was playing with the same boat!

There was plenty of help while we enjoyed some delicious cantaloupe.

More entertainment from BB in the morning.... getting all wrapped up and ready for the work day.
Somehow when we got home one of the first things Kaitlyn wanted to do was play with my "dress up shoes".... so she went from bug-spray covered clothes and camp experiences to pretty sandals with little heels!