Sunday, August 31, 2008

Higgin's Lake 2008

I love vacations. I mean REALLY love vacations. We're a travel'n sort'a family. Lots of travel'n. Lot's of vacations.


But ya know what I HATE about vacations and traveling?


Coming home to the "return from vacation chores".....the unpacking, the restocking of the groceries, the sorting through of a weeks worth of mail, the checking and replying to telephone messages....and OMG the laundry.....I'm on laundry load number 35....and still have 259 to go. There's sand in my luggage, there's dirt in my van, we still haven't been able to locate my son's sandals, and I feel completely out of touch with all my bloggy friends. I tried to read a few from my phone while on our vacation but found it incredibly frustrating as it would take 15 minutes to open each page. I eventually gave up. And quite frankly it may take me a few more days to get caught up with everyone's blogs. With school starting IN 34 HOURS!!! I'll have LOTS of time on my hands....=)


We returned home early Saturday afternoon from our week at Higgins Lake. We had a fabulous time. I posted about last year's Higgins Lake vacation a couple weeks ago. We took this same vacation and stayed in the same 2 houses, with the same families at the same time in August Last year. And it was a miserable week.


This year was a drastic improvement.
We arrived there last Saturday during a horrible thunder storm with torrential down pours but never saw another drop of rain the entire week. High seventies all week. AND all our water sport "toys" remained in perfect working condition all week. Major bonus.

So here's a recap of the week....

4 families

8 adults


10 kids


We spent lots of time on the boat. Taking turns skiing. Hefty Smurf got up on water skis on his first attempt. Was even daring enough to try to ski outside the wake....succeeded....but couldn't get himself back INside the wake without wiping out. Did a few face plants. And then came up laughing and got right back up to try again. At'a boy!



Papa Smurf discovered that skiing is a lot like riding a bike. Once you learn you never forget! Got right up after not skiing in over 18 years.




I on the other hand (those following me on twitter are already aware of this) only succeeded in getting a (not so) refreshing enema. Gave it a few attempts and gave up in frustration (and pain)...pretty sure I pulled a groin muscle trying to obey my ski instructor. In the photo below our friend L was giving me last minute instruction...... "whatever you do....keep your toes together...."


yeah....right....






Gave it 3 or 4 attempts and then handed the skis over in frustration.




The kids had a blast playing on the beach and in the lake. According to National Geographic, Higgins Lake is the 6th most beautiful lake in the world. This is a spring fed lake and so is exceptionally clean and clear.





We played a little tether ball....





And did a little fishing....





Took some breaks from the fresh air to squeeze in a video game.....or two.....or 500....





Did a little canoeing





And some more fishing






Played some baseball, football, and catch






Thing 3 learned how to blow her first bubble gum bubble






Did a whole lot'a jet skiing. This is my friend and running partner, T, and her daughter, T.






I rode a jet ski for the first time ALL BY MYSELF. I'm feel'n all growed up and stuff.





My back and arms were ridiculously sore from jet skiing.....I could barely lift my arms above my head the next two days. I had no idea I was getting a work out at the time. Who knew?



We spent the evenings by campfire Roasting "weeners" and marshmallows for smores, blowing up bottles with fireworks (we're good parents like that), melting glass and generally turning our kids into pyromaniacs.



The adults played a lot of euchre, a little volley ball, drank a lot of alcohol, and lounged on the beach.


I read two books. The first was a total smut novel....one of those historical romance novels (one of my guilty pleasures) with a dramatic photo of a couple in the throws of passion on the front cover. Can't even tell you the title or author. But It was good. Just ask my husband.



The second book, The Bride Stripped Bare, was a very strange and disturbing book. My dear friend K liked it. Now I know why. LMAO!


Every stink'n picture of me on this trip looks like the one below. I look like a deer caught in headlights. My husband has a horrible habit of picking up the camera...saying "hey, hun"....click....



Smurfette was in all her girly glory with her 3 friends on this trip.





The kids all had lots of fun taking turns on the swing


Hefty and Dreamy Smurfs caught their first fish....rock basses. But I wasn't there so of course there were no photos taken.

T, M, and I all got a few runs in this week.

OH!....And I certainly must not forget to mention the highlight of the week....Hefty Smurf was throwing a rock at a raccoon that had run up a tree after getting caught in the garbage. One of the rocks landed on our friend's sunroof. The sunroof shattered into millions of tiny shards of glass into their SUV. Unfortunately, I have no photos of this as I was a little preoccupied with beating my child....jk....notifying social services is not necessary....yet....

Our first experience with a broken window *sigh* Isn't this like a parental rite of passage or something. I feel like I've just graduated and entered a whole new level of parenting. I always imagined our first broken window to be from our own house....not a friend's car.

And here's the group photo taken just before departure. We had a blast and the kids are already asking if we can go again next year.



And now I must return to my chores.


Did I mention school starts in 34 hours folks!
Giddy with excitement....
I promise to get caught up on everyone's bloggy lives once I drop kick my kids out the front door to school see my children safely off to school on Tuesday.
Actually, scratch that....have to spend the first day with my daughter in her class room. Will catch up on Wednesday!
For sure!

21 comments:

Marni's Organized Mess said...

That looks like a blast! Did Jordyn get a haircut? It's adorable. :)

I am turning green I am so envious.

Tracey said...

What a great trip....love making memories...sorry I must say...Daddy is very hunky on those water skies! Welcome Back!

Kate said...

Oh my stars, that looks like 92 kinds of fun. Man. I gotta arrange something like that. What a great time and fabulous memories the kids will all have.

Glad you had a better trip this year!

Kelly said...

I'm reading this with a little tear in my eye. I'm sooooooooo jealous we couldn't be there this year but I guess having a new baby was on top of my priority list that week!!!!! There had better be a next year!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

That sounds like an awesome vacation. I'm slightly jealous.

But any discussion about Italy?!

Mama Smurf said...

Marni - Yep, she got it chopped! We were both tired of the tears due to tangles. Thanks!

Tracey - You've made my husband's day! Thank you!

Kate - Me too!!!

Kelly - There will be a next year!

Lisa - Still no updates on Italy. I definitly have Italy on the brain though. Can't stop thinking about it. Hoping I'll have an update before the end of the week. Hubby doesn't think it'll happen but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Kash said...

Looks like the quintessential American summer (dream). Totally jealous right now. I'll have to make it up to Higgins Lake. I've never been there but have gone to a lot of lakes in Michigan (I'm from Chicago).

Unknown said...

It looks like everyone had a wonderful time! Too bad about the sun roof though...that sucks! I had mine busted a few years back..why does that small piece of glass cost that much money?!!

Breanne said...

Looks like lots of fun - love going to the lake. Me too - lots of laundry and things to catch up with.

April said...

Looks like a wonderful vacation. Sorry about the laundry, but hey, there's always a hefty price to pay, right?

Dana said...

looks like a ton of fun!! You took some great pictures...

I too love vacations but hate returning from them.. It makes me a lil depressed!

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you survived AND had a good time as well! So glad you are back. I missed you (sniff sniff.)

LittlePaintedPolkaDots said...

Welcome home!

Anonymous said...

Oh my I am SOOOO envious!

We grew up at the lake . . . I'm so bummed Dude hasn't learned how to ski yet, what with us living in a landlocked state with absolutely no water in it.

That looks like an awesome vacation!

EatPlayLove said...

sounds like a blast! We don't have many opportunities to visit lakes with beaches here in colorado. Wah!

Brooke said...

Looks like sooo much fun!! I am jealous of the jetskis! Totally want to do that! So whats the deal with italy?? Moving???

Kori said...

So glad this year's trip was better than last! It looks like such a great time, and you take good photos. Glad you are back!

Kellan said...

What a fabulous vactions and what wonderful pictures! Looks like the best time ever - I'm so glad you all had such a good time!

Take care - Kellan

Colleen - Mommy Always Wins said...

Oh my god what FUN!!! I'm so jealous that you had a great vacation with friends!!! Makes me wanna jump up and plan one for next year RIGHT NOW with mine. (Damn you summer for ending!)

I'm sorta glad you've been outta the loop, though - makes me feel better that I'm not the only one behind. Welcome back...you lovin' school in session yet?

Leslie said...

That looks like sooo much fun. I want to do something like that. Would you believe me, if I ever told you that I've never gone on vacation? Not officially. Not formally. No. Sad. But I'm jealous. Glad you had fun and that the weather worked out for you guys!

OHmommy said...

Wow. You guys had like the best summer vacation ever at a lake. You did everything you are supposed to do. Sooooo cool!

I totally understand about post vacay laundry. Ugh!