Fishing Fun!

We took the boat out over the weekend to attempt some fishing. We've had the boat all summer, but spent more of our time touring around the area, and letting me get more comfortable driving, etc. Finally decided to bite the bullet and give it a shot!

Em wanted to bring a friend because she wasn't overly interested in the fishing portion of things, so wanted someone to hang out with. I got a kick out of the two of them, shoulder to shoulder, giggling away!


attempts at an artistic shot, using a cell phone camera... ha!


Someday when I'm a millionaire, go ahead and just plop me down into something like this along the water...


Connor was dying to help me drive, so while we were trolling along, I sat him in my lap and let him have at it. He's squinting for the picture, but was full of giggles and smiles otherwise!


Jared was snuggling up to Dan (who, in case you don't remember, is opting NOT to be photographed on my blog any longer)


HEY! What happened to our flasher and squid-thingy?? Must have been a HUGE fish that totally snapped the line in the fight to reel it into the boat! That's our story, and we're stickin' to it! (Couldn't possibly have been that we got a little shallow and snagged the bottom... We'll never know for sure!)


But look, we caught something! Hahahahaha! We all felt it was quite exciting to catch SOMETHING, even if we couldn't keep it. *grin*


And I think I'll work harder at finding a "pee bucket" to have on board for our longer outings, because I REALLY did not enjoy hanging bare-bummed over the edge of the boat to pee!

Here Fishy, Fishy!

We caught NOTHING (unless you count me getting nauseous from all the waves rocking the boat, and Jared getting a bloody nose!), and truthfully weren't really set up to try all that hard. We're inexperienced, but the boys really wanted to use their poles, and had fun in the attempt.

One of the kids' favorite parts of boating is driving under the bridges!

Boating Fun

Kids and I, along with Charlie, enjoying a boat ride, despite the clouds. Of course, within MINUTES of docking the boat and heading home for dinner, the sun popped out.






First family outing on the boat since my lesson the prior weekend




"DADDY!!! DON'T PUSH ME IN!!"




Jared feeling/looking a little nervous before his first attempt at kneeboarding


starting out on his belly and getting his balance


Got up, first try, and has a giant smile on his face! He loved it


Dan wanted to take a turn, too.


And, no, I was not the one photographing while towing/driving. Those pictures are courtesy of Emily Grace!

Driving the boat!

We finally got the boat set up with a motor and out onto the water. Dan's deal for the boat is that he will tow it to and from the boat launch, but I am responsible for it from there. I got my required Boater's Education Card and asked my dad to take me out and show me the ropes!

Here we go!




apparently Jared told my mom it was too bright to smile


I made a stop for coffee for the grownups on the way


the kids loved going under the bridges!




My dad took me out one more time two days later so I could spend a little time practicing docking it at our neighbhorhood dock. I've got some work to do, but the kids and I have had the boat out several times and we've faired pretty well so far!

We have a tricky driveway for getting the boat in and out of, but we successfully managed it, and are feeling pretty proud of ourselves. Looking forward to boating adventures with my family this summer. *grin*