The Jensen Family: July at the Lake

As is typical of our little family, July came around and we headed to the lake to relax at Nana and Papa's.

It was cold the first couple of days we were there, but that didn't stop the boys from exploring and starting on their long to do list for their time at the lake. By the time Nana and Papa arrived at the lake, it had warmed up and we were ready to get the jet ski out for some fun on the water.

Clark is never quite sure to start, so here they are on their first trip out

topping out at 6mph!

Which of course was too fast for Clark at that point...definitely no wake with that silly kid.

Then Logan headed out for his turn

and braved going a little faster to actually kick up some wave.

He even decided he kind of liked it.

Next, came an armored dude to visit....oh wait, that's Logan. Someone had a little fun trying on Papa's motorcycle gear.

(One day I might actually have to worry about them wanting a ride, but for now they're content to sit on it while it's off...since it's too loud for them of course! :) )

There was also LOTS of fishing. Clark's new favorite. He spent so many hours with his little fishing pole and I loved looking down to the dock to see sights like this.

Logan watched movies from all sorts of locations:

Even better about that picture of Logan is that he would break that far right banister pole with his shoulder/face before the trip was over...good thing he is tough...and that Papa has extra on hand to fix things right then, so no one could fall through! Sorry PAPA!!!!

The boys also loved helping Papa with many jobs.

Clark's favorite was pressure washing the deck.

Of course when the 4th of July rolled around, it was fire work time.

Super hard to get pictures of the actual event as it's too dark, but we managed a video or two.

I am pretty sure it's Clark getting a turn to launch some in the video...which of course was super excited about.

There are always so many fireworks shot off at the lake that it really is quite a show:

Sure is fun as the boys get older to see how excited they get about the fireworks and how much they love to watch them. They love the big ones of course and it is fun to watch how careful they are when they finally get to help launch some....I love my cute boys!

After a fun filled week, we headed to back to Nana and Papa's for a few days for some school shopping and other fun things. We always fill our time with so many things, it just goes by too fast!

Soon it was time to pack up and head back home....or so we told Nana!

Really we headed back to the Lake House and met up with Jason and Lisa and their girls, Jared & Kim & Ashlynn, and Ryan and waited for Papa to bring Nana out the next day.

It happened to be Nana's birthday, so we surprised her with most of her kids and grand kids (we missed you BJ!)

So here are the videos of us pulling off the surprise for the family that wanted to see those:

We surprised her good in case you couldn't tell! :)

Then we played some more for a few more days.

The big boys all helped Papa take down a tree....while it was raining...with maybe some lighting around...so being the good wives that we are, we all took pictures to document the stupidity.

While the kids played a new game to us:

Headbanz will definitely be in our house soon since these boys feel in love...with the ears as well as the game.

Here is a great video Brian captured of life at the lake (he was trying to get Clark who was being super silly and dressed as a super hero, which he finally tracks down at the end, but the rest shows true relaxation and conversation enjoying that goes on):

Then there is always picture wars between deck of the house and dock of the lake.

This one had Lisa vs Me
(plus Emily showing her amazing swimming skills in the background)

There was tons of relaxing and catching up that went on. Sleeping and Eating....I swear, I gain 5 pounds every July because we always have sooooo much yummy food at the lake!

There was also some kayaking (even the kids got in on the action with Uncle Ryan's smartly tying a rope to one end so he'd let them go and paddle on their own...then pull them back in again. So smart Ry!)

Then bon fires, smores, and game playing...

Then back to the jet ski.

Uncle Jason took Clark out...put there was a little difference in opinion that ride as to who got to drive!

Silly Clark, but notice still no wake, so we hadn't gone fast yet.

Then the tube came out and Emily and Lauren jumped on super excited to go for a ride

while my, more cautious boys opted to hang out on the shore:

But after watching Emily and Lauren, they were soon wanting turns too.

Clark hopped in next with Lauren...his normal partner in crime.

They had a great time and Clark even let Jason get above 10 mph...they might have even hit 20..and Clark survived...

and was all thumbs up when he came back.

and loved every second of it:

Logan went with Emily next (I love how it's always the two quieter ones together and then the two crazier ones....Clark and Lauren..together. That is how they always pair up and it makes me smile):

Here they are leaving:

Going good:

Then splashed in the face...not Logan's favorite:

But he was still happy when they got back, just not loving it as much as Clark.

Love this picture of the two amigos waiting for another turn on the tube:

One Nana's birthday, we attempted some pictures of Nana with her grandkids...not sure any of us got perfect ones (except maybe Kim who only has one to get to look at the camera), but the important part was we actually got some pictures..right?!

Sadly, everyone else had to go back to real life at some point, but one of the nice things about having a Dad that is a teacher is that we don't have to leave summer vacations as soon as everyone else, so we got to enjoy 3 more days with just our little family after everyone else left.

Clark and Dad took the jet ski out lots more times and though I have to pictures to document it, Clark finally likes to go fast and has now topped out at 43 mph...might make it easier when you have the lake to yourself and don't have to worry about wakes from other boats, but either way we'll take it.

We love that he got more adventurous as the week went on.

In fact, if Lauren would have stayed a couple more days I think Clark would have been swimming in the lake with her as well (since I think she was close to convincing him swimming with life jackets are super safe and he can do it). Thanks for trying Lauren! I think next year he'll be in there with you.

Finally it was time for our little family to really go home too. So after another fun ride in the row boat with Dad, we packed up and headed home....where of course we wish we were back at the lake. Oh well! Next year we'll do it again..right family. :)