August Trip to Priest Lake

All four kid and I just returned yesterday from our second trip of the summer to Priest Lake.  Since Ron was unable to join us, my parents agreed to caravan with me to Priest Lake and back since I was driving with all four children including a nursing baby.  My mom agreed to take turns helping me drive every time she rode in my car which was a huge help.  Once we arrived at the cabin, we spent a quiet week up there as no one else in our family was able to join us this time around.  However, we still had a great time and enjoyed the beautiful weather that we were blessed with this past week.  In addition, we were treated to a visit the last two days from the Ryan family who are my parent's next-door neighbors.  My parents had invited them to swing by Priest Lake on their way home from a family vacation to Glacier National Park.  We have gotten to know them over the years since they have a daughter Lia's age who she has played with several times when we have been at my parent's house visiting for the day.  My children thoroughly enjoyed playing with all four of their children during the visit and it was a fun way to finish off our week at Priest Lake.

Although Logan was not interested in trying to water ski again, Lia was willing to go every morning until the Ryans arrived.  She really has gotten comfortable with getting up and staying in the wake this summer.

We had fun bringing baby Emmett done to the beach when he was not napping.  Here he is trying out the water with grandma at his side.

A close-up of our water baby.

Grandma helping him stand in the water.

Big sissy and baby.

All three kids had fun playing in the beach this week--especially making creations out of the clay that can be found beneath the sand at the water's edge.

Logan playing away.

A shot of Lia, Emmett, and grandma standing in the water.

Mama and her kiddos on the dock.

Lia and Emmett.

Ella playing in the sand.

My baby and me.

Emmett and I smiling at each other. I just love this photo.

Ella snuggling up in a towel out on the dock.

The Ryan kids really loved making clay sculptures with our children.  They all took home several creations at the end of their stay.  Her are the kids hard at work sculpting away.

Logan and Thomas playing next to the dock.

Thomas, Lia, and Amelia leaping into the water.

An action shot of the kids right before they landed in the water.

Lia, Logan, Thomas, and Amelia swimming in the water off of the dock.

Lia, Thomas, and Amelia getting ready to jump backwards into the water.

And off they go!

Flying backwards into the air.

All of the kids (minus Emmett) hanging out in one of the innertubes.

We took the Ryans in the boat to one of our favorite beaches the last afternoon that they were visiting us.  Here are Lia, Amelia, and Thomas getting ready to cross the river to the beach on the other side.

All of the kids lined up minus Emmett who we left back at the cabin with grandpa so that he could take his afternoon nap.

The kids and me posing on one of the beautiful beaches inside Canoe Point.

A close-up of our cute Ella before climbing into the boat to head back to the cabin.