Echo Lake...Take 2!

Well, Justin had Labor Day off, so we decided to head down to Echo Lake one more time for September long weekend. It was literally for the weekend, and such a quick trip with driving and all, but we still had a great time! It was especially fun because Brian and Cynthia were watching Talia and Jace (while their poor parents HAD to go to Hawaii for a wedding), AND Leslie and Richard were there with Benson, so our kiddos got to spend time with cousins that they don't get to see very often!

This was a good time for us to do the things we didn't do last time we were there...like skiing for me. :) I did NOT grow up with a boat and actually don't really enjoy skiing yet, but I try and go everytime (except for the lucky summers when I am pregnant...). I get up easily everytime now and even go out of the wake (oooo. I know! :) ), I just need to learn to drop a ski and maybe it will be fun then! Justin was encouraging me to drop a ski this time...so I tried after he told me to, and then I totally faceplanted and hit my knee on the ski. Ha! I need a bit more instruction. I am a visual learner. Maybe next year? Oh, and luckily Justin didn't know how to use the zoom on our new camera.

After the ski Kate wanted to swim in with me. We were kinda far from the dock, but I wanted to do it for exercise. (We eat A LOT at Echo...) It was fun for the first few feet, but then it was hard with that girl. Kick, kick, kick, kick; paddle, paddle, paddle!

 

Just walking on water! The lake was so high (again) this year that it flooded the causeway. This is low compared to what it was mid summer. Justin and Zach were going to fish on the causeway so we went with them and played around.

 

Kate, Talia, and Kara. Talia has really grown up now. She talks and plays with the girls so well. The girls and Zach kind of fight over her and who she is going to play with. They had fun. Crazy that she is only 9 months younger than the girls. They will be in the same grade! And if they move to Cardston, probably some of the same classes! Yay for cousins! I see it now, the middle blocker, setter, and power hitter. Can't wait. :)

"Papa White" (what Talia calls Brian) and the girls just walking on water.

The Echo Lake elementary school park. Fun/dangerous place. I remember wanting my dad to spin us so fast on these things. Now it just makes me want to barf watching my kids on them.

Action shots.

 

While we were at the park I took some pictures of the kiddos, trying out my new camera and getting some current pictures up on the wall. These are unedited, and I know nothing about photography but how to push a button, but I will hopefully learn soon! Good thing my subjects are cute.
Miss Adaleigh Jane, 4 months...

 

 

 

 

Quite possibly my favorite one. :)

Kara 3 3/4 yrs old.

Kate, also 3 3/4 yrs old. :)

 

 

 

 

Zachary- 5 1/2 yrs old

His response when I tell him to smile normal. "I AM!" He says through his teeth.

 

 

I caught Bama on the swings. :) She was loving it.

And little Miss Tali.

And dirty faced Kate. She wouldn't have it any other way. ;)

 

3 generation swinging.

Papa White and Talia.

Jacey-pooh. Yes, he did get corked in the face right after this picture. He is a tough guy though. I have to say I LOVE TETHERBALL. I never laugh as hard as when I am really trying to play tetherball. It is hilarious to watch and play as you try and swing with your might only to miss. Over and over again. Good times. I am quite good though. Beat Justin twice. :)

The last morning there Justin caught another HUGE fish. Largemouth bass this time!

The 2 fishermen. They love fishing. I am glad they have it to bond over. I feel sorry for the fish. I mean fishing seems fun and all, but not when I catch it and look into its eyes. :(


But it was delicious! Kara had 3 helpings! She loves fish!...and seasoning I think. :)

Last tube ride of the year! It was a cold one! Crazy how different the weather was between the 3 weeks we were there.

Great shot of a hardcore tube ride. :) I love seeing Kate's hair flying.

Addie sporting her jammie-suit. It's the September model. It was cold!

Yay for Echo Lake! Our kids (and our) favorite place to be!

 

Magrath Water Slide!

My good friend Heather rents out the Magrath Stake Campground waterslide a few times a summer. Luckily we were home for one of the days she rented late in August, and it was a gorgeous hot day! Leslie and Benson were with us too, but somehow escaped the camera. I don't know how I missed his cute shark hat swimming suit. :( They must have left before I got my camera out. Anyway, my fam...if we do the 2014 reunion in Southern Alberta we will probably camp and/or play here for a day! I can just imagine the 27 cousins playing together on this. :)

These boys were at it all afternoon long! They loved it, for HOURS. This is Zach and his buddy Marshall.

They had so much fun riding down the slide together. It was fun to see Zach with his friends again.

They even got fancy and started doing tricks and flips and swirls down the slide.

That's right. Don't mess.
:) 

 

 Of course I went on the slide! Here I have Kara on front (getting sprayed in the face like no other) and Kate holding on for dear life on my back. 

 

And here is the fabulous host of the party, Heather Jubber! :) Love her.



And Karley! (Marshall's mom) The best thing is Heather, Karley and I all have babies within a month of each other! Adaleigh, then Benson, and then Lincoln. Our ward had SUCH a baby boom this spring. And it continues...the mother's lounge is rarely available during church! :)

These great girls kept taking my girls up and down the slide. It was really helpful, especially since I had to tend to Adaleigh sometimes...and take pictures of course. This picture just makes me happy. Summer is so great. Fun and carefree. :)


 Quite the train! :)

 Thanks Heather!!!