Legendary Lodge Weekend

Our family, along with my siblings and parents spent the weekend at a camp this past weekend.  It is on a lake and absolutely beautiful.  We actually had to boat across the lake to access the camp which made for some pretty interesting moments.  God-forbid, we wait for the pontoon boat to escort us across.  Kids manning paddle boats and canoes would shuttle us back and forth a good share of the time.

At first we were religious about the littles being in boats with an adult.  

After a while the kiddos demonstrated they were more proficient at rowing around than we were.  

As long as life jackets were on and an adult was in the vicinity they were on their own!

The water lilies were magnificent and sure to harbor creatures ~

Uncle Joey in finer form ~;o)

The little boys were busy, busy, busy!

I think Tristen was wanting to grab a bottle of bubbles ~

Nicholas, the photobomber.

I was trying to get a pic of the girls ~

And here it is ~

Now, Shannon said he was playing war, like he was in the trenches while the boys attacked.

I think he was angling for a nap!

The beginning of Capture the Flag ~

It ended in epic Nistler fashion, with someone being accused of  unfair play,

but everyone is still speaking to one another ~

Then there was a game of football, made hilarious by the fact that pretty much only 

two people know the rules, tactics, or whatever.

Since one of them is only 14, he bore little relevance.

What I'd die to know is who was making the game plan in this huddle!

Nickles was in heaven ~

Joey and Matt traded this hat back and forth all weekend ~

What do you think, Stacy?

Michaela and her little bro ~

Soon, he took off on his own.

Heading over for Mass ~

This was the funniest duo of the weekend.  

They had to scootch down so low in the paddle boat to paddle that as they left  shore 

you weren't certain if the boat was drifting off unmanned or there was a captain at the helm.

Hiking to the cross ~

We made it to the top ~

Shan was ready for a nap ~ 

But I made him join us for a family pic ~

Uncle John organized a tug-o-war and the kids actually held their own for a bit against the adults ~

Apparently, Uncle Gabe is still a kid!

The boys just couldn't stay clean ~

Then, there was the mouse trap game ~

thankfully, I escaped without participating in that one.

Ouch! 

Joshie wasn't sure it was worth the sting!

Look out! Soon a rat will be caught ~:o)

And I wish there were more pictures, but the funniest thing happened later that day.  Our family ran to Elliston for Shannon's niece's wedding.  Upon our return we had to get back across the river, so Uncle Joey came to the rescue....kind of.  Shannon decided he was hotter than the hinges of you-know-where so he was going to swim across.

Actually, his words were, "The kids will think this is funny...me jumping in with my clothes and swimming across."

Dom and I stepped into the canoe with Joey and I made the unfortunate decision to just squat in it versus sitting all the way down.  I am not typically uncoordinated, but lately my balance has not been exactly spot-on being pregnant and all.  Shannon decided to dive off just as we were pulling away from the dock, and realizing midair that the water isn't too deep right there, changed his dive into a belly flop.  This created a bit more of a wave than I was anticipating and tip, tip, tip, tip, over the canoe went, keys, Shan's shoes, sunglasses, camera and all.  Joey's words were less than sweet as he realized we were doomed, but that added to the hilarity.  Then, there was Sommer and Stacy who, paddling back in the kayak, witnessed the entire event.  Poor Dom was crying, for what reason I am not sure, we barely had to swim to get back to shore

I couldn't stop laughing only imagining how it must have all looked.  Shannon was plain and simply grateful that I wasn't ready to kill him!  Thankfully, the pictures were saved, but the camera was shot.

Thank you to my family who shared in another crazy time together!