Here we are... in the blink of an eye, it's the fourth!!! With all the other spring projects we have been working on... we haven't even had a moment to get the docks in. So, with everyone coming to camp for the fourth, getting the docks in was the first thing....
Thankfully, we had a good crew to come and help. These docks are heavy and every extra hand is always appreciated.
Ed said the water wasn't too cold... we haven't had a very warm spring/early summer, so the lake is still cold. But, the day was warm, and it all went well... camp is officially "open" for the summer...
Kass, Nate and Reagan are spending the weekend in the back camp.... I love it when we are living so close together, and I can have them to myself all weekend. Reagan seems pretty happy to be here, but the word "schedule" will go right out the window... so, in some ways for Kass, it isn't as restful a time as it should be.
We try to keep him busy with all sorts of different things to do... and these big old tonka trucks are a huge hit...
It's nice to see neighbors Carol, Ralph and the boys. Just like "real" camp... these are the friends that we only see in the summertime.
The boys are so sweet, and Dom is particularly good with Reagan. I can see in just a few years, Reagan will be tagging along with these boys and wanting to do all the things that they do....
Camp is for everyone, and Joey is certainly having a great time. He loves, loves, loves swimming in the lake... true to his lab side!!!!
Waiting for the boat parade to begin......
There always seems to be a good number of boats, and it's fun to watch them going by... a fun way to begin the fourth....
and all boats are welcomed!!!!!
After the parade..it's swimming time. Abi is starting out where she seemed to leave off last summer. I noticed at first she had her swimmies on, and was just stepping off the ladder....
but it didn't take too long and she was feeling pretty good in the water once again...
and then... there it is... the first cannonball of the summer. She still went off the side of the dock, but I bet before the summer is done... she'll be jumping from the deep side...
Friends and family began showing up for our cookout. Sadly, like last year, the weather could have been better, but, it's the fourth, and a holiday.. and let's celebrate. This is Bruce... Craig and Katie's little guy... Camille was in love....
However, a few soft boards in the decking, brought things to a halt for a few moments.... they had to be fixed before someone steps threw......
oh well... one does what is needed... and again, we had a good crew on hand....
Naomi, Dom and Abi.........
A few showers brought the tent out.. I had wished it was sun that we needed it for... but the food was good, the company was fun and the fourth was celebrated in style....
The fifth brought better weather... and Abi was ready to go swimming the moment she got out of bed. One of the great things about camp... you can go swimming even before breakfast......
More cannonballs.......
Enjoying the sunshine.....
Hunter...
Trevor... they have always loved coming here... but I notice they spend more time laying in the sun... those days of crazy puppies racing about and jumping in and out of the water have gone by.....
Kass and Nate bought this big glider type plane, and had a good time tossing it in the air and watching it fly down to the water. One on throw it went quite a ways out in the lake. A canoe passing by happily picked up the plane and brought it back to shore... that saved Nate from some serious swimming!!!
Water balloon fight!!!!!
Camp is for fun and games!!!!
And then we heard "him".. that magical tune that brings kids (both big and small) running... the ice cream truck is making his rounds!!!!
What is it about an over priced (and really not that good) ice cream treat that makes it so special.....
Kids get tired at camp.... and after much swimming and racing about... a game of dominoes is a nice place to re group....
I just can't say how very very blessed I feel, to see these beautiful children in our camp... to have our amazing family all around, enjoying this wonderful place..... I never once will take all this for granted....
Such a great weekend..... the weekends ahead look pretty busy, but I hope we can squeeze a few more camp weekends in before the summer is done....
And I just had to post these photos of Hunter and Trevor... I think this was their first summer at camp....
silly boys...
So... just as hay season got started... in came this "wonderful weather".... a monsoon of rain!!!! And it absolutely poured like this for nearly half the day. Fortunately, Father had decided to knock the hay field down in sections, so as long as it's standing and then has time to dry it... it will be OK.....
I guess this where they say ... "make hay while the sun shines".. because certainly on days like this nothing will be done. It hasn't been great weather for hay growing and I'm already a bit "worried" about how much we'll be getting... but just have to wait now..
On a brighter note.. Livy's certificates have come from the American kennel club... so, we're "official" now... the first time I ever got ones of these was in 1979... when my Rhodesian Ridgeback, Ladi.. earned her first (and only) obedience title. After that, I was "bit" by the show bug and have been working with all my dogs earning their titles...
It took a few days of bright sun to dry out the fields... but it happened and we're off to get the hay in.... as usual.. our number one helper is on hand!!!!
Trailers on... and we're ready... I like to get the first cut and have it all tucked away in good time... some folks prefer to wait for the second cut, but I just like to have it done...
The stacks look good... I have bought the whole field this year.... Father seems to agree that this may not be the best summer for hay...
and laying down in the field.. it really doesn't look like "much"...
and the loading begins....
We were blessed to have another big crew ready to give us a hand. There is something about haying that brings folks together, and I am happy, because many hands make light work...
The old baler had a cranky spell.... every once in a while it has to act up.. just to keep everyone on their toes...
but Father has dealt with this more years than I know.. and he has all the secrets to get it working again...
First load, coming in.........
and back to the fields to load up once again....
we only made three runs and the field is clean.... I probably have enough to pull us threw the winter, but I never like to work off "probably".. so I already know I will be looking for more hay later in the summer...
just hope I can find it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
