A day of tubing

We had so much fun tubing with the Kuchs--probably some of the most fun tubing we had all summer just because all these kids were so eager to get out there and have fun!

Erik and Cooper (such a trooper at only 2 years old!)

LOVE Cooper's smile in this one.....this kid is always smiling!

Coby and Erik

Coby is a typical first-born and is quite cautious....he didn't want to try skiing yet this year and was a bit hesitant about tubing, so when he busted out this no-hands move, we all made the same expression Erik made!

My peeps

Blake was actually the first one to give the 'all-done' signal....

..and he kept giving it, as if we didn't see it the first time (which would make sense because we weren't stopping!). Of course he had a great time but he was surprisingly reluctant to try it at first.

Cooper and Coby on their boat crew shift

Then it was time for the three big kids (Wyatt, Coby and Sadie) with Matt

They got some good air...

...and managed to lose Matt once as well!

This was a big one!!

Coby was a bit unsure on each jump, Wyatt kept laughing and Sadie loved the thrill of it!

Cooper had this down to a science

Love this picture....as Coby was helping with the rope at one point, Erik pointed out the liner in Coby's suit hanging out the back....I guess that's what you get when a 4-yr old dresses himself!

What a great time we had with the Kuch family---so thankful for their friendship and the time we could spend together!

A return trip to Stormy Lake for the Kuchs

The Kuch family came up to Stormy Lake last summer and stayed at Matt's parent's place with us, so unlike many of our other friends, this wasn't their inaugural trip up.

The weather couldn't have been more perfect....highs in the low 80s and sunny!

These boys virtually took up residence in the back of the boat

I was finally getting some better spray on my cuts....

And Wyatt rocked the slalom ski with his fan club cheering him on!

Starting to make some cuts

Cooper, Conner and Erik

Sadie going for a run and getting dropped off at Grammy and Papa's place

Then it was time for some mother/daughter skiing (I LOVE just saying it--mother/daughter skiing!! Looking forward to many more years of skiing together--water and snow!)

And Sadie pulled out a few tricks of her own....

Then it was time for some tubing....this was the preliminary round...many more runs followed the next day (upcoming post)

Some of my favorite pics from the summer are right here....

I absolutely love getting away from everything and spending time at Stormy with nothing but our family (sometimes friends) and nature. The kids' relationships with each other seem to grow so much while we are up there and these two have such a great relationship. Ever since the day we brought Blake home, these two have shared a special bond and Wyatt is such a great big brother to Blake, always including him and showing him the ropes.

A good sign that there are many laughs coming....

Matt, Erik and Ty did a little triple skiing before dinner one night....half the battle is getting all the ropes cleared and untangled and keeping these guys focused on the task at hand!

Poor Ty kept getting the front of his skis caught on the back of Erik's and going down!

(notice Ty way back in the water!)

So the next day we tried for four skiers.....

(l to r) Ty, Matt, my father-in-law and Erik

A little ski show action

...and then Erik went down when he crossed behind my father-in-law

And when someone goes down, it takes some serious effort to get everyone the correct rope, make sure they aren't tangled, get the boat straightened out.....

..love this picture!!

And Angie and Wyatt served as the trusty boat crew! (Notice Blake and Coby.....no wonder it took so long to get the rope situation figured out!)

Even at 65 year old, my father-in-law's still got some skills!

And Erik's last fall left him without a swimsuit on his body.....his raised it as if it were his 'white flag of surrender', warning the boat not to come too close!

And of course what would a father/son ski be without my husband pulling a few pranks on his Dad!