Sunday, May 26, 2013

Going out with a bang


Things have been crazy around here. We were itching for an escape from all the stress and a chance to inhale some fresh air.  We decided to do one last hurrah at the lake before putting the boat up for sale.  What was supposed to be a relaxing camping trip turned into a broken down car and getting stranded on the lake when the boat ran out of gas.  My brother is going to buy the Pilot and as we were headed up Jason was talking to him on the phone and telling him what a great car it's been.  I kid you not, right as he hung up the engine light came on, it started losing power and would vibrate when idling.  Irony can be a punch in the gut sometimes.  We decided to carry on with our plans and deal with the car the next day.  It's funny how our memory works, at the time I was so frustrated and stressed, but looking back I'm already beginning to forget how I felt and instead I'm remembering the fudge stripes smores, the lantern lit Uno game, the tin foil dinners, Ryder stripping off his pj's and throwing his diaper on my head while we're trying to sleep, a late night outhouse run with Kylie, throwing rocks, collecting clams, the boys having "man time" (as Jayden called it) alone on the lake, the water as smooth as glass in the morning, Jayden perfecting his jumps, everyone taking one last wakeboard run (I even broke my cardinal rule of not getting in the water until it's like bath temp) and watching Kylie and Jayden while they tried double wakeboarding for the first time.  Hopefully the memory of that whopping auto shop bill and the sunburned shoulders from waiting on the lake for gas will soon fade all together.



sometimes it's just impossible to get a decent picture









This boy has grown up on the lake.  It's crazy to think he was 3 weeks old the first time we took him out.  He loves going out on the "boot".  The other day when I was changing his diaper he randomly told me "daddy boot fun", glad to know thoughts of the lake occupy his mind on a regular basis.  He has found his happy place with his bankie, tag, baba, a cool breeze and not a care in the world.


As we were headed back to the dock with the sun soaking in my skin and the wind in my hair, I layed my head back, closed my eyes and wanted to remember that moment forever.  And then the boat completely died.  And then we had to flag someone down who was so nice to tow us to the side and then take Jason back to the dock to get gas.  Then I cursed irony for the second time as I spent the next half hour with four hot cranky kids.  I guess it was very fitting that we got towed away on our last lake trip, considering the exact same thing happened on our very first lake trip when the boat died in the middle of the lake.  Irony, I tell you, it's the red headed step child that nobody wants.



After spending the rest of the day figuring out the car situation and unpacking from the trip, I was so ready to escape with friends for a little weekend getaway in Scottsdale.  We ate (notice that eating is the first thing on the list, there's a reason for that), talked, laughed, slept in, shopped and filled those 24hrs with some mighty fine memories.  I don't know how I lucked out to have such amazing friends, I'm going to miss these girls. Like alot. While I was gone Jason listed the boat and it sold right away.  It was sad to come home to an empty garage and Jason sort of treated it like a loss in the family.  Ryder even cried as he saw it being towed away and keeps asking where the "boot" is.  Our last weekend on the lake could have gone smoother, but I'll take it all, the good the bad and the ugly and chalk it all up to a memory made and one that we won't forget for years to come.

7 comments:

Tyson and Dawn Jolley said...

I never get tired of reading what you write, it's so funny! That was a bum way to go out with the lake, and especially to put money into the Pilot! Some people just have all the luck with cars.. and it ain't us! Were going to miss having you guys in Arizona when we live there, but we will for sure catch up on lost time when you get back! Love you guys!

Hollie Hanson said...

It sounds like despite the not so good parts, it was a pretty perfect ending hoorah! Your kids will remember the fun times. I can't wait to hear about all the new adventures ahead of you!

Ronnie said...

Oh man, that IS a sad day. Having grown up on the lake I too cried when my dad sold that beat up old boat. But your kids will cherish those memories forever. For sure!
And that girls trip of yours is so dreamy. I need to do this more often. I love how cute you all are with your shopping bags and rested faces. Sounds like a pretty great weekend!

Jenna said...

So sad you sold your boat!! Boat trips are by far the best family memories. Even the crazy, long, hard trips. If you guys need one more trip to Saguaro you can take ours :)

Chelsea said...

oh I remember it well when you guys officially became a real life "boating family!" You did the title proud, and took that boat out as often as you could! You really are super mom.I remember as a kid when we took our boat out (maybe 2 or 3x a year) it was an all day event packing up and getting everything ready, not to mention all the arguments and tension between my parents over every single detail, but mostly when it came to unloading and loading it in and out of the water--and you are a pro with the boat manuevering, btw. You guys restored my faith in boating families ;))) Bittersweet for sure! I'm sure NZ will have a boat for the youngs.

Chelsea said...

and break my heart, Ryder! saddest story about the boot!

Janessa said...

Oh the memories! Your kids have more amazing memories then some kids get in a life time. Some great "we'll laugh about this someday" stories are good to add to the stash of picture perfect memories. I can't wait to see the bigger and better boat Jason's going to get when you move back. I'm glad you got a nice 24 hour break from the craziness. You do have some amazing friends!