From Irrigation to the Great Lake State

Before we left for vacation, Jeremy showed the kids pictures of them last year at Lorien (where we go for my family reunion in northern Michigan). They loved seeing themselves at the playground, at the beach, in the water, etc. But upon the first picture of the lake, the girls shouted, "Irrigation!" (Josiah, now old enough to remember last year, corrected them: "No, that's a LAKE!")

The initiation

When our desert children saw Long Lake this year, they were duly impressed.

Josiah loved playing with Jonas (on the green raft) and Justin (standing)

Lydia was the most comfortable and least fearless of the three in the water. Josiah has developed more nervousness in water over the past couple years (he had no fear three years ago!). But he got quite comfortable in the lake. The shallow area near the beach is roped off at just about chest-height for him. By the end of the week, he happily played in that area without any flotation device. Abby and Lydia enjoyed the inner tubes and made good use of the life jackets we bought for them on Sierra Trading Post.

Abby on the left, Lydia on the right 

Josiah's favorite water games involved guns, of course . . .

Abby and Lydia also vied for the guns, though they needed help filling them. Grandma was happy to comply with most of their water game wishes, and they spent many afternoons "saving" her from floating over the swimming area barrier.

Abby

Grandma and Lydia 

Grandma gets Abby suited up 

Jeremy enjoyed taking the kids on kayaks and my parents' Sunfish. We even did a family kayak trip one morning, with all five of us distributed between two kayaks! (Unfortunately, Lydia cried for Grandma most of the time and refused to enjoy the water and the sights. "Look, Lydia! Can you see the ducks?" I asked at one point, trying to distract her. "No me see ducks. Me want Glala!" she replied--and pretty much followed that line of thought throughout.)

But she did enjoy kayaking with Daddy near shore, and she also enjoyed a couple short sails.

Jeremy and Lydia 

Jeremy mastered the art of balance with three kids in the kayak!

This year Josiah did much better on the sailboat, and he even liked it enough to request a few sails with Daddy! Initially he just wanted to sit in the bottom of the boat and often complained of being cold. But after a few times, he happily sat in the bow and hung onto the mast. He even dangled his feat in the water--and he didn't complain about the rocking movement or worry about capsizing or storms (fears he often expressed last year)! Maybe we'll make a sailor out of him yet.

Father and son sail out into the deep blue yonder

Lydia had such fun in the water--"swimming," floating, kicking, running, pushing limits (like going over the swim area line), drinking (yuck!), throwing rocks, etc.

One day I asked her, "How much do you like the lake?"

"Bery much!" she answered, and then added, "I love it" and stretched out her arms and leaned into the water to give the lake a hug (see below). Oh, our affectionate, funny girl!

Lydia and Grandma

We're back from vacation and have plenty of pictures to organize and share! But meanwhile, here are a few of Lydia and Grandma "Tousinby" (a combination of "Cousino" and "Dubai," coined by Lydia). Lydia developed a special bond with Grandma and has taken the parting harder than the other two. Every day this week she has shed tears because she misses Grandma. She regularly says, "I love my Glala! I miss my Glala!" I know you miss her, too, Mom (and hopefully the rest of us!), so here are some pictures for you . . .