Days with the Dorans

Like summer's past, we've spent a lot of time at my folks' place at the lake (whether or not they are there...). The summer can get busy though so the first time the kids went tubing, I actually wasn't there. Jeff took the kids to the lake and my mom got her camera out to document the first 'trip' of the season. The Bigs were anxious to get on board and Z decided to give it a whirl too. Last summer he had tried it out and though they went (REALLY) slow, it still wasn't the thing for him so he spent the summer as the 'spotter' in the 'fast boat'. This year they did make it around the lake at a 'normal' speed, but as you can tell by the look on Z's face, he much prefers to be the spotter. Yesterday we were back at the lake and this time I got to be one of the spotters. Z was already in the boat~ instructing me what I needed to do (mainly to hold on TIGHT). So another year and Z isn't quite ready for tubing... Perhaps nex...

Today my dad called up and asked if the Bigs wanted to go tubing... and yes they did! I took so many fun pictures that I didn't know how to choose which to use here. Think of this as a glorified photo album... I had to take one of Sean... he's too little for the big tube right now... maybe next year... (ya right!) The Bigs were clear that they wanted Daddy on the tube with them which was good because that meant I got to be the spotter and take the pics! After one go around the lake, Zach said he thought he'd like to sit in the boat. I think the wind-blown look suits him! My those curls grow fast- and the wind is a natural straightener I'd say... Back to some serious tubing with just the Bigs ! And yes, that is the signal for 'go around again' and we did! A lot! Ali Jane had her mouth going the whole time. I wish I could have had a microphone on her to hear what she was saying. When I asked Jeff about it later he filled me in. "I've been...

When I was younger we had 'real' tubes that would flip over when they hit a wave and you hung onto for dear life. If you did go with a friend there wasn't much room and you just prayed to stay on... Not anymore. My folks got this tube last summer (I believe) and I did manage to get out on it last year with the B igs . (Not even close to my childhood tube!) Ali Jane has been bugging Papa to take her on the fast boat so she can go tubing and he finally did! Zach and I spotted in the boat until Z decided that he wanted to go with them too... and since I've done this parenting thing before... little more relaxed... I gave him to his daddy. It was a little nerve-wracking to see my entire family on a tube with MY father behind the wheel ( eeeek !) but he did listen to me when I asked him to slow down and such and the kids had a great time. The first of many perhaps of what we have left of the summer. We only go out on week-days though- This is some tube- but I'm not ready...