It's summer, so that means we've been at Lake Cumberland. A lot. I am so thankful my parents kept their condo at Woodson Bend even after moving to Dallas. Besides being my happy place, it's a great spot for family to gather during our annual July 4th celebration. I can hardly remember summers without Woodson Bend. Entering the gates of the resort is like coming home.
I'm pretty sure the kids enjoy their time at the lake too. Both have become water bugs this year, with Warner navigating the shallow end of the pool without floaties. Maren (enthusiastically) jumps into either the big pool, baby pool, or lake the minute she's near the water, announcing:
"two, three, two ... jump!".
Abby and Ashley joined us at the pool last week and my kids were thrilled to have their cousins join them in the water. After their visit Maren would ask if Abby and Ash-Ash would be at the pool whenever we went.
They are such sweet girls and play so nicely (and patiently) with my kids. Watching Warner and Maren's relationship with their cousins blesses me in more ways than one. I am so very thankful for
my cousins and the close relationships we enjoy, even as adults. The fact that my kids won't have cousins on my side of the family is still hard, but knowing they have such great cousins in Abby and Ashley makes it easier to handle.
The boat was also a hit with the kids. Warner has the whole routine down. He wants to help tie and untie the ropes at the dock, pull in the ski rope, help with life jackets, drive the boat, etc. Both kids love the tube, and most days it's hard to fit in a ski run for the adults because the kids want to swim or tube every second they're on the water.
One of the best parts of the summer so far has been seeing Warner learn to waterski on his ski trainer. He got up on his first try behind the boat and hasn't slowed down since. I know I've said my kids would ski as soon as they could walk, but 3 years old is pretty close, right?
He was SO excited and proud to have skied like the rest of us. The sweetest thing he said to my mom (as she helped him into the ski boots) was "Bobbie, do you think I need soap for my ski?". That probably means nothing to most people ... but for skiers with tight bindings (like myself), a little dish soap is needed to squeeze your feet into the ski. I guess it only made sense to Warner that he'd need soap for his feet as well.
Maren, being the daredevil in the family, wants to do everything Warner does. She gets completely frustrated when we won't let her tube by herself or try to ski. I have a feeling she'll be skiing behind the boat next summer.
Other highlights of our trip included Warner's first fireworks experience at the Bend (he thought he was one of the boys while Timothy and his friends were here) ...
... celebrating Dad's birthday ...
... cooking, baking, and eating (a lot) ...
... and of course, the Fourth of July golf cart parade. I keep saying we'll do something creative for the parade but it never materializes. There's always next year.
Now that we're home I'm up to my ears in laundry, housework, yardwork ... and can't even begin to think about weeding my garden. I'll be ready for another vacation soon once I've recovered from this one.
We visited Gatlinburg last weekend with Kevin's family. It was a great trip that included my favorite activity (shopping), and the kids' favorite activities (swimming, rides, playing with cousins, staying up late, and eating junk food). I'm pretty sure Kevin's favorite activities were not included in the weekend, but he was a good sport nonetheless.
We had an absolute blast at the amusement park Saturday morning. Warner was just tall enough to drive the go-carts but unfortunately not coordinated enough to really get the hang of it. He tried so hard and really did well for a three year old little man.
Maren loved each ride she went on. I am confident she will be our daredevil. There was a small roller-coaster that both kids rode with Kevin and me. Honestly I'm not sure Maren was tall enough to ride but they let her on. She screamed with the other kids and giggled the rest of the time. Warner wanted to ride it over and over again, and after his first trip announced: "I've been wanting to ride a roller-coaster forever!". 
Sunday morning before we left we played putt-putt with the kids. It was the first time they had played with putters of their own. 
Warner sort of chased his ball across the course and wanted to play each hole about three times. Thankfully there was no one playing behind us.
Maren swung the putter a few times but then learned that she could just walk to the hole and drop the ball in. Once the ball was in the hole she'd turn around and announce "I did it!". Whatever. She was happy. Thanks for a great weekend, Nanny and Grandaddy!
