Monday, July 13, 2009

dreams come true

I hoped that someday it would happen.  You wait your whole life, wishing and dreaming, wondering if the day will ever come.  Then you wonder, “If it does finally happen, will it be as great as I imagined it would be all these years?”

Well, it DID finally happen, and I’m happy to report it was even BETTER than I ever imagined it would be.  Some of our friends bought a boat!  You always wonder what people who already have a boat when you meet them will think of you when you try to befriend them—do you really like them or are you just trying to mooch off of their boat?  So it is much better when your existing friends buy a boat because then they know you’re sincere!  Our friends Will and Natalie became boat-owners a couple months ago and they invited our whole family to join them on the lake this past Saturday (a very generous offer considering that they are newlyweds and the two of them could have enjoyed a very quiet Saturday on the lake if our brood of five wasn’t there)!

It’s been over 3 years since we’ve been out on a boat as a family and Berkeley was just about Emery’s age then, so of course she doesn’t remember it.  She was very excited to go out on what seemed like her first boat ride!  Kendall was just as enthused!

IMG_5346

IMG_5348

IMG_5350

Emery was excited too until she realized she’d be stuck in this:IMG_5367

Maybe she just didn’t like how it made her cheeks look chubby.IMG_5371

But she cheered up when we stopped for a while and took the lifejacket off… and then let her drive.IMG_5415

Nothing like the wind in your hair.IMG_5356 IMG_5361

  Kendall and Berkeley loved getting the truckers driving by to honk.IMG_5375

And just chillin’ in the water.IMG_5383 IMG_5389

But even more fun was chasing after the ducks.IMG_5394

IMG_5400

All that swimming deserves a snack.IMG_5391

And then it was time for the good stuff.  We broke out the tube and Kendall was pumped.  I rode with her the first time and she laughed the whole way.IMG_5416

Then it was Berkeley’s turn.  She rode with Patrick, and as I watched her from the boat, I couldn’t tell if she was happy or terrified.IMG_5421

She was terrified.

She ended up liking it once we slowed down enough that her head wasn’t bobbing around! 

Apparently all that head thrashing wore her out.  She passed out on the way back to the dock.IMG_5430

What a fabulous day!  While we were relaxing on the boat, we heard one of the deejays on the radio say, “And if you’re up on Lake Norman, we’re jealous!  It’s a perfect day to be out on the lake!”  My thoughts, exactly!

9 comments:

Megs said...

we were just saying the other night that we don't want to be boat owners, but we want our friends to be boat owners. Very funny post!! I am so glad you were able to have some fun in the sun. Pat failed to mention your fun day while we were talking today. Emery looks so cute.

molly kay said...

OK so this sooo reminds me of our summer at Cherry Creek reservoir my friend! remember how we would hope people would ask us to go out on their boat? We had so much fun that summer! we love to go out on boats with our friends but they are usually going too far- like to the beach and staying over and we can't go that much but when we go to the beach every year as a family- we always go out on a boat of some sort!We'll be at the outer banks in august- too bad it's too far from you!

Mirien said...

We haven't had boat friends since Bismarck, and that was so much fun! But who would invite a family of 8 to join them on their boat? Guess our boating days are over.

It's Been a Day! said...

looks like a very fun day. with brent as a husband, im sure we'll be the boat owners one day. one of his dreams!! however, those dreams of us going out on a boat won't be happening anytime soon. they just closed the last local boat launch here because of the lake levels. looks like we are out of luck unless we start doing some rain dances!!

i love a good tube ride.

Dana said...

Friends with boats are the best! We are mooching off of our friends this Saturday:) Hudson stays with my mom. Infant life jackets are ridiculous.

Audrey said...

Hi Meredith, haven't checked you out in a while... looks like you're having a great summer :0) I'll have to come visit teach you and catch up.

Heather said...

Looks like you had a great day! It was a great day on the lake - we probably passed each other!

jessie said...

No fair! :) We've dreamed of being boat owners someday, too. If only we had a place to put it...or could afford to rent a place to dock it... Why can't it be as simple as just buying a boat, right?! LOL!! And it looks like you had a fabulous time - love the family picture!!! :) (Isn't it nice to get those few and far between WHOLE family pictures?! Usually it's one parent taking the pictures of the other parent with the kids... At least that's how it is around here..;)

natalie said...

Oh, I agree...a friend's boat IS the best kind of boat. We sure had our good and bad times with ours. It is one of the best ways to spend time as a family. There is something for everyone. I never minded just sitting, spotting, or driving while the wind blew through my hair. It is relaxing and exhilarating at the same time. Glad you had fun.