Nate had called ahead to see if we could bring Buddy with us, and the guy he talked to said dogs were allowed. So we loaded up Buddy and brought him along. It wasn't until we drove up to the ranger station that we were bombarded with "No Pets" signs. As we waited for my Dad to pay and go through, we made the decision that it wasn't hot enough to worry about leaving him in the car and just taking him out every couple hours for a breather. But when we got up to the booth to pay, the lady actually asked if we had any pets and then proceeded to tell us it is against Utah State Law to leave an animal in a vehicle, and that the dog was not allowed at Pine View Reservoir at all. We then made the hasty decision that I would drive Buddy home and come back. I was the one that had limited abilities as far as enjoying jet skis goes. But what a CRAPPY deal! Especially since we had even called first. As we were unloading the last few things from the cars, the woman from the ranger station came back over to us and tried to help us think of a new solution to "hide" Buddy from one of her co-workers, and while that was nice of her, we'd already set up our spot and didn't think we wanted to haul all of our stuff to a different side of the lake. So anyway.
After unloading, I gave in to Nate's brilliant idea, to just ask someone in the neighborhood if they would watch Buddy and offer to pay them the money we would save by not having to drive him home. We do drive a suburban, so gas to drive home and back is NOT cheap. I really should learn to listen to my husband more often... or at least more quickly. He is usually right. (please don't tell him I said that, it will ruin my reputation) So I gave Nate the go ahead and he took off with Buddy to see if there were any good Samaritans out there.
He returned with a funny story about a guy who "used to do that for people" until things went haywire and he ended up with a lawsuit for some dogs that had run away. But also the news that a kind-hearted soul had offered up a spot in his dog kennel (apparently he had six dogs of his own), just for Buddy for the day. He had some nice things to say about Buddy, refused the money Nate offered, and sent Nate on his way. It was SUCH a blessing! I'm so grateful for good people. And so grateful for my husband who is not afraid to ask. He's brave. I am not.
So anyway- we got started on the real fun of the day!!! Grandpa's new Jet skis!!!! The kids immediately got started on riding out with Grandpa. That was a lot of fun to watch! Charity was first and since she was first got completely outdone by her younger siblings when they all started comparing who went the fastest :). Grandpa let them scream out their speed as they went. It was cute to hear that Noah went faster than some of his big brothers and sisters :). And even Erika wasn't too scared. I was happy that they had been brave and were making it a fun outing. I can't imagine if they had been otherwise. We would have spent the day pep-talking them into going out and then probably just sitting there watching.
During the beginning when everyone was getting used to the lake, and after Nate had come back after taking Buddy, I got brave (or crazy, you decide, I use the terms interchangeably now days), and decided it was okay for my 38 1/2 week pregnant self, to go out on the jet ski. I said a little prayer that I would know when to stop and what was safe or not, and hit the gas. I probably shouldn't say "hit the gas" because I don't even think I made it over 20 mph. I was nervous about me and my little one. But it was STILL a LOT OF FUN!!! It's been YEARS since I went out on a lake like that all by myself, wind in my hair, water splashing around. Felt good! There were a few moments when my hand slipped and I'd stop suddenly or start too quickly and those seemed a little more on the "unsafe" side, so I decided to cut my turn short, but seriously, that was the most fun I've had in a while! And surprisingly, didn't affect my pelvic bones AT ALL. I read about the pain I've been having the other day and was surprised to learn (from many people's comments and stuff) that riding a bike felt better than trying to walk for a lot of them, with this kind of pain, but now I'm starting to believe it. The positioning of my legs and stuff, didn't seem to affect anything. I was glad. So anyway- that was my big moment. I didn't get to go out on them again until the incident with the engine and the rope, when I had to bring my Dad back to shore. It was worth it though, and I did love the opportunity. My sweet husband said I "looked cute out there" and my Dad said that yes, I did look like a dork driving around so slowly, but that he's "seen fatter on these things". So I think I covered all the bases :)
Then Nate tried the skis and didn't have much luck. I really think by then he was just too tired. We should have tried the skiing first thing because after Nate, when my Dad was headed out to ski, he decided it was too choppy and they came back in. That was after quite the fiasco with the rope getting sucked into the engine. That was a total bummer because it put the jet ski out of commission for the rest of the day.
Up until this point the grayish clouds had been covering the sun. It was actually really nice. I was grateful for the breeze, the cooler temps, and the fact that we wouldn't burn as much. But the sun did come out. That's when the wind came also. Oh, how I hate wind! The water got choppier, and the sand got more annoying :). But we kept on at it! The kids were still having the time of their lives! We got out the "Hot Dog" tube, and after the pump for it broke, Grandpa ended up blowing it up himself... still can't believe he did that... and the kids had even more fun on that! My kids looked so cute out there on the tube, just floating around, holding on for dear life :). It was a lot of fun for me to watch.
I couldn't get a "favorite thing" out of the kids (even after I clarified that I didn't say, "favorite pee"), they all kept saying, "ALL OF IT!" But here's what I saw: Bradley loved going out with Nate, they would go really fast, and turn and twist, and make whirlpools, he was so proud of himself when he'd get back and tell us he went 53 mph or whatever his latest speed was! SO cute! He's become such a daredevil these last couple of years. It's fun to witness. I'm glad my Dad got to see it too, he was surprised that Bradley was being so brave and thought he was going to be the more timid one.
After a while, and when Nate was out with the kids, my Dad (wanting to make good use of the wind) got out one of his stunt kites and showed off to the kids. I couldn't believe how strong the thing was! It withstood some serious winds! And very cool to watch! Erika loved it! She just sat there staring at it. I loved that Noah came over and sweetly asked me if we could drive home and get his kite. Since he couldn't fly Grandpa's :). What a sweetheart. "I liked the drive up here!" When I was trying to remind him how long it took to get there and how long it would be to go home and back.... funny boy. Luke seemed fairly fascinated by the kite as well. And Bradley too after he got the chance to throw it up in the air and watch it go! My kids haven't seen a kite take off the way that one did! Pretty cool stuff.
It was a great day! I don't know what else to say! It was a long day, we didn't get home until 7:00 pm, and I'll just leave out all the details about the screaming and crying we were subjected to as we were leaving, loading and getting into the car. But seriously, the most fun we've had in a while! I'm really appreciative of Nate and my Dad that they would wear themselves out so much for us and our kids. They both looked exhausted by the end of the day. (so did I, but when do I not?). They worked HARD! I hope it wasn't too hard for my Dad, with all of our kids, and he'll still want to take us out again :). But really, what a great investment! I am so glad he got the jet skis and that we get to enjoy them :).
Sidenote: we needed sunblock. Everyone got fried! My feet plumped up like a couple of Ballpark Franks in the sun. Luke looks like we took the top of a mexican kid and stuck it on the legs of a Gringo. Erika's going to be "wearing her swim suit" for months. Noah was lucky he was wearing his life jacket MOST of the day, but his poor little eyes "couldn't close" when it came time to go to sleep. Kelly hasn't said much yet, but I saw how crispy she was. Charity got her first taste of Aloe Vera and frankly it didn't do the trick... her thighs are BRIGHT red. Bradley was smart and wore a shirt all day.... his poor face though. And Nate... well... he's his usual pink self. And Me.... I'm afraid I'm not going to look it when they tell me to get undressed for my c-section in a couple days (YAY, it's getting closer!). Nate says it will look like I'm wearing a white t-shirt and shorts. Lovely. But we had fun!!!! And that's all that matters, right? 8-22-12
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