And so it begins...: June 2014

Warning:

This may be the longest post ever!

Merely for the fact I have tons of pictures and videos from this week. I was going to split it up a few days at a time, but I have too many things jumbled...

In 2012 we rented a houseboat with my sisters, brothers, and my dad. It was a blast. My dad had coordinated the trip in order to continue a long tradition he had had with his family growing up.

I can't remember why we didn't do it in 2013, but we intended to make this an annual trip.

So this year we rented the same house boat to enjoy a week on Lake Shasta with family.

This year my brother Joshua could not make it (because he is in the air force), but my cousin Brian, his wife Poppy, and their two boys were able to attend for part of it.

The lake was really low this year so we had to go to a different Marina to put in.

It was gorgeous weather.

The whole week is kind of a blur of hiking, fishing, swimming, water sports, good food and tons of fun.

I can't wait to do it again next year.

Jen had drove out to my house so that we could drive down together. Brent had to work the morning that we left. We arrived at the marina before my Dad and Carleen's family. The water level was so low we were at a different location than last time...we finally found it. Everyone arrived and we started the unloading...

You unload all of your stuff onto this barge type platform thing that they drive down and then put in the water next to the house boat. That took a little bit of time.

Thank goodness, because Brent was running a little late. We were supposed to get there at 3, he wasnt set to arrive until 5:30.

As we navigated our way out into the lake the kids explored the houseboat and then ended up in the hot tub!

My cousin Brian wasted no time getting his line in the water.

August quickly learned some boundaries.

Brent just got his cast off the day before from his final carpal tunnel surgery.

August was asking him about it.

There was a very loud music system on the top deck so we also had a mini dance party...

Here is an example of how low the water was...ABOVE is 2014.

BELOW is when we were there in 2012.

Christian and Noah helped my Dad navigate the boat.

My Love

August really enjoyed Brayden's snorkel set. He kept putting his face in the water.

We found a great place to dock the boat. Mitch was holding the rope on one side, while Eric anchored it on the other...

But the wind picked up and Mitch started slipping down the hillside...

I ran to his rescue.

Unfortunately the boat won!

Eric saw us in distress and ran over to help...

The sludge beneath our feet was like quicksand. There was no use. We were not able to ground ourselves enough to pull the boat. We let go and tried again.

Once the boat was secure we stared to get in the water. (although some of us had already been in)

Brent decided to let August try the slide.

He actually enjoyed it. The only thing that got him kind of upset was the water getting into his eyes.

The weather was amazing, except for the gusts of wind that kept pulling the boat out of the anchors.

The first little cove we stayed at was nice...but we kept moving for better "beach" area and better fishing.

After some swimming we warmed up in the hot tub

Brian took his meals very seriously. All the food was so good.

We even had a birthday cake for Abram. His birthday was June 13, the day before we loaded onto the boat.

Breanna and her friend Jordan were trying to soak in the sun.

I couldn't believe the boy who doesn't like to tip his head back in the bathtub so I can wash his hair was fully dunking his face in the water all by himself. I was so excited to see this.

Carleen and Eric danced on the deck.

Then there was some more fishing.

While at the marina getting the speed boat there was a parade of high school students that were going out on house boat of their own. I guess its what the seniors do down there to kick off their last year of high school.

And this was when Brian caught us a King Salmon. It was soo good.

Then they all decided to jump of the side of the boat together.

While sitting in the hot tub one night I tried to take some pictures of the stars...this does not even come close to doing them justice. There were so many...it was amazing.

And in the morning my boys turn into snuggle bugs...

Brent brought along the duct tape and made several wallets. Including a new one for me. My old one had gotten pretty worn out, and the inner pocket was broken. The kids really enjoyed this.

Abe threw a rock and it hit bray right in the side...

At one of the coves there was a little hike that led to a place with a natural water slide. You had to climb up a rope to get there. It was pretty popular too. Tons of people drove up (in their boats and jet skis) to hike up to it.

Brent fishing with his feet in the hot tub.

One of the catfish Brian caught.

On the last day we have to clean the houseboat before we turn it in. Nothing serious just a good sweep and mopping (which is why all of our things are on the bed), plus spraying down the decks...

I took this time to take a few photos of the different rooms.

This was the "back" room where Brent and I stayed.

Hallway view from the back room.

One of the staterooms...where Jen stayed.

The stairs leading up to the two loft rooms.

The third state room where Carleen and Eric stayed.

These are the upstairs loft rooms where the kids slept.

This was one of the bathrooms with the shower in it.

The kitchen area.

The entertainment side, with tv, stereo, and fireplace.

The top deck looking forward from the back staircase.

This is the barge/platform thing with all of our stuff on it...ready to unpack after the houseboat.

We eat at this restaurant where they have a family style meal which includes pizza, pasta, and salad...

It is very accommodating with really good food. They even BBQ their pizzas to finish them off. Its pretty awesome.

For breakfast the next morning we had a little worse luck. The place was a tad over priced and the food was not that good. That just means we get to explore a new place next year!

Carleen and Eric rented the jet boat for the day after we got off of the houseboat. So instead of driving straight home Brent and I stayed around for some more jet boat fun.

Carleen and Brent tried out the inner tube after Mitchel and I.

Bray and Mitch kept giving the sign to go faster...

They ended up flipping over...

If you look you can see the tube is upside down, but Brayden is still holding on.

August and Elysia had a blast too. They would have been out there all day if we let them.

Even Grandpa took a turn.

He kept going faster and faster...

He hung on too. It was his pants that decided to start falling off. So Dad had to let go...

After Grandpa fell off, he let Eric take his turn to be whipped around.

These wipe outs were kind of my favorite!

I was secretly waiting for them to bite it, so I could try to get good shots...

Look in that big ball of splash and you can make out a leg and arm...

All of the tossing of the boat made Abe a little sea sick so we took a short break on the floating bathroom.

Abram took his turn out on the inner tube which was pretty big for him. He is not a fan of water.

Brothers who just love each other....

Mitch did a pretty good job wake boarding too.

He ended up letting go after awhile because he said he was "bored".

August ended up falling asleep like this in the chair...

Carleen tried very hard, but it just was not her time...maybe next time!

Eric is an old pro at this. I got several pictures of him catching some air.

Then Brent got out there. Even after having two surgeries for carpal tunnel he insisted on giving it a try. He got up on his first try. He did very well. He tried to do some jumps too. I got a couple on film.