Pioneer Day

Shawn started the day bright and early by catching the 5:30 am shuttle to the Crest Trail and doing a little mountain biking.  I'm sure watching the sunrise from up there was beautiful.  

 The middle part of the day was spent with us going in various directions.  Jonas and Samantha went to see The Avengers with Rob, Michelle, Robbie and Joey.  The little kids played at our house with Ainsley and Ellie, while Shawn packed his bag for his next adventure, (King's Peak) and we ran a few errands.  Once the big kids got home, we headed to Jordanelle Reservoir to do some boating.

Samantha started out with some kneeboarding - cutting back and forth and clearing the wake.  (Once again - no camera - just the iphone.)

 Amelia was next, but somehow I missed getting pictures.

 Then Jonas (who, by the way, told me he didn't even want to go boating or get into the water, but I insisted he put on his suit just in case, lasted all of about 32 seconds on the boat before talking about kneeboarding) got into the water and almost did a 360.  (So close!) Still we had to eventually insist he get out of the water and give someone else a turn.  Yep, that's right.  He was sure he didn't want to get in, but then we had to force him out before he was finished.

 Shawn got a turn this time and did a little surfing.  (I was driving so no photos.)  I handed the phone off to the kids when Peter got in.  He was so happy to be out surfing with Dad.

 Once again, I am impressed with  Shawn's abilty to get up with an extra person on the board with him.

 Shawn's got some awesome surfer hair going on here.

 Peter had so much fun he actually went on a couple of runs.

 Then Samantha decided to give the surf board a try.

Shawn got in to give her a couple of pointers,

and got a little bit of a swim workout in because of it.

But it paid off, because she popped right up.

And then the kids took several random photos as I drove the boat and kept saying, "Stop with the camera.  We don't need any more pictures!  Give it to me."  Which of course, they didn't, and just laughed at me while they continued to take pictures.  (Like over 100.)  Because I was driving and couldn't do anything about it.  Kids are like that sometimes. 

Unfortunately, it was just after this that the wind and the waves kicked up and so I was out of luck as far as getting in the water - again.

But we did watch a sailing Regatta that was going on.  (The wind is good for that sort of thing - just not for keeping the water smooth for me.)

And of course all of the boats were lasers, which is what we have, so of course, Shawn was all over finding out about how to get involved in this whole laser racing thing.  That took some extra time.  (By the way, it has been pointed out that this is not in fact, starting a new hobby, it's just bringing back an old one.)

So I look forward to coming back with the laser and watching Shawn race.  Maybe I'll just paddle around on a paddle board while he does that.  I find that that is good for the soul.

By the time we got home it was almost 10:00 and everyone was starving, so it was quick take out from Cafe Rio and listening to the fireworks going off all around us, but not participating with any of our own.  This has just not been a year for fireworks for us, which isn't all bad, but some of the kids were a little disappointed.  Ah, well.  there's always next year, right?

Happy 24th of July!