Family Fun

Family Fun

Between us, Mike and I have four children. Three girls and a boy. Actually, make that three women and a man. We also have three sons-in-law and eight grandchildren. Most of them live in Ohio and Wisconsin. Our son lives in Florida. This past week, Kendall, the youngest of my three girls, came with her two daughters to Florida for a short visit.

We picked them up at the airport late Wednesday evening and made the most of the two full days they were around. 

One item on their must-do list was a boat ride.

Mike was happy to accommodate them. (And let me just say, God arranged everything on His end perfectly, too.)

Thursday, we all headed out in the boat under a clear blue sky. Mike drove us around the lake so the girls could see the route we take to pick up my mother at her dock. (We didn’t need to pick her up this time…she was already with us in the boat.) Then we set off exploring. 

 That's Me with My "Little Girl"

Mike steered past the old boathouse I photographed a few months ago. One day I plan to paint a picture of it for our home. We explored an adjacent lake and then…we went under a bridge to discover a wonderful new-to-us lake. It was huge and calm enough we could see fish jumping. 

Yep...
It's a Flip-Flop Kind of Life...
and we Love it!

Only a few houses were scattered along the shoreline and with the sun shining and the wispy white clouds reflecting on the smooth surface…. Let’s just say, it was breathtaking!

Mike and I have lived here for a couple of years now and we are still discovering new and beautiful surprises in our little corner of the world.

Once home, it rained. Yep, we had what some would call a “gulley washer.” Our boat ride was sunny, bright, and beautiful. And then, only once we were back inside did it rain. Not long. Kendall and the girls spent that night with my mother. It was such a pretty evening, they were able to use her pool.

Also, on the girls “bucket list” for this trip was a return visit to The Cove restaurant. You can drive there by car, but it’s more fun to go by boat.

So, on Friday, we loaded up once more and headed out to The Cove. Again, the weather was perfect. We pulled up to a dock and hiked the short trail through the woods to the restaurant. The food there never fails to please. I guess that is one reason our whole family enjoys it.

That evening, the girls and I picked lemons from our tree and made fresh lemonade. That is both delicious and fun!

Mike made his famous steak and veggie sandwiches for us on the grill.

The Two Noras.
Both are "Grand"
On the Left Great GRANDma, Nora
and on the right
GRANDdaughter, Nora

Five o’clock Saturday morning came much too quickly. I told you it was a short visit. Mike drove Kendall and the girls to the airport in Tampa for their early flight. 

We’re family. We don’t have to spend every minute of every day together. We don’t have to have a long, elaborate vacation at a resort. All we need is …a little time with each other with a spattering of sunshine and a lake full of water. And a boat. 

One last pic...

                       Our pleasure...