The Saturday of the family reunion we had planned a picnic in the park. However, since we experienced the heat and humidity of arkansas in the park the morning before and because it was our last day together, we opted for a day at Aunt Carol and Uncle Bill's condo. We brought the picnic to the condo, and spent the WHOLE day enjoying each other and the refreshing lake.
First thing in the morning, we spent a bit of time with the other Hamilton kids in the hotel suite and Kellan had a great time playing with Williams' blocks.
Uncle Jeff was geared up and ready to dive in, complete with a safety ring to protect his brain.
Aunt Penelope (Nana's twin sister) enjoyed some snuggle time with Miss Hailey.
Then we were off for fun in the sun!
The first up on the tube was Aunt Carrie and Lauren!
(She was a PRO! She had ridden with her Mommy the night before)
Hold on TIGHT!
"Lauren, how are you doing? Are you nervous? Lauren, are you sure this is ok? Do you think we'll fly off? Wow, this could get crazy! It looks fast from back here and we haven't even started going yet."
Yes, these are all questions I asked my 9 year old niece. She was a CHAMP! Nerves of Steel! I was a bit panicked, but she was fearless. She also outlived everyone: her Mom, Aunt Carrie, Aunt Lindsey and finally, she rode with her Daddy. All three of us girls commented on how sore we were the next day but Lauren didn't say a peep. She's my HERO!
Brian and Kaden were our wingmen on the wave runner.
Well, this isn't too bad. We passed the time holding on tight with a bit of casual conversation.
Then they hit the gas!
WAHOO!!!
"AHHH!!!!!"
"Hold... On.... Laurennnnn!!!!!!"
Whew! We made it! Well... Aunt Carrie Made it. Lauren was ready for her third co-pilot. When we switched it up, Brian and Kaden switched out the wave runner. Drew (Keith's cousins son) hopped on and we talked him into taking Oliver with him. Oliver couldn't get enough of the wave runner and jumped at the chance to ride it. Plus, Drew was great with the kids and he is a life guard so we knew he was in good hands.
It only took about 5 seconds before Oliver had his hands on the handles and he was the driver.
Drew was a good sport and took great care of Oliver.
Lauren and Aunt Lindsey loaded up on the tube and we were off and running.
Kaden preferred a leisurely ride on the boat over the wave runner. That was the best part is there was a little bit of something for everyone.
Kellan preferred the leisure life of the boat too. He was so thrilled watching his mama tube that he passed out in his Daddy's arms.
Truly, he did love the boat. Whenever he saw us loading up he would say "boat, boat, boat". When we left the boat he said "bye, bye boat". It was SO sweet!
To give perspective of the lake, the greenery and the fun; Lindsey and Lauren are tubing on the right and Drew and Oliver are in the back on the left.
Drew and Oliver loving life in the fast lane.
Hey, hey, there are the speedsters with Oliver back in the drivers seat.
It was time to switch it up again.
Brian and Lauren loaded up the tube while Carrie saddled up the wave runner.
Wahoo!!!
I have a NEED for SPEED!!!
We headed back home just in time for our picnic lunch relocated to the condo. It was perfect and fabulous to just hang around with everyone at the condo.
The kids couldn't be more happy at the kids table after a great morning on the lake.
Kellan loves black olives and Aunt Stephanie introduced him to putting olivers on his fingers.
We had tried this with Oliver but he doesn't like Olives so it never worked.
Kellan can just add this to his list of being the "poor second child" since we missed teaching him this trick. Thankfully, Aunt Stephanie was all over it because it was a big hit for Kellan.
One... Two... Olives
Yum... Yum...
All Gone!
After lunch, we tried to get Oliver to try riding on the tube but all he wanted was to get in the lake. A quote from Oliver, "I just want to swim in Lake Hamilton Lake."
So Cute!
He loaded up with his life jacket and tube and Jumped In!
Drew had a motorized thing that would pull you through the water. He offered it to Oliver and as I nervously watched, he took off (with Daddy and Drew by his side) and he LOVED it!
Then Daddy drove it back and Oliver was the trailer on Daddy's foot.
NEXT!!! Lindsey and Stephanie loaded up and were ready to ride.
This time, the tube was pulled behind the wave runner.
Then they were off!
Wiley got a ride on the wave runner with Will too!
Sister-in-Law self portrait.
Lindsey and Carrie
Oliver spent 4 HOURS floating in Lake Hamilton Lake. The other kids joined in and even the Dad's strapped on life jackets to float around.
Oliver Loving the Lake!
Even William got in to float around with his Daddy.
(Kellan is still deciding if he likes the lake. He opted for a nap instead.)
Oliver got some serious tan lines during his day on the lake. We tried showing them off with some muscle flexes but it didn't quite show off the dramatic differences.
One thing is for sure, this boys got one pasty white back side.
After an amazing day on the lake, the kids vegged out with a movie. What you can't see is that William and Kellan were rushing the door and shut me out. Yes, the 22 month olds shut the door on me! I guess it was KIDS ONLY!
That evening we took Kellan down to the grassy area for a stroll. Kellan really loves to be outside.
He was looking extra handsome in his polo in the sunsetting light.
Before long, the big kids were racing back and forth.
Kellan was bringing up the rear.
He tries and tries to keep up with the big kids and he loves playing with them.
I asked Oliver to give me a smile to show me how much fun he had that day.
Kellan standing on the dock.
I don't know if it's the way he is standing or his striped polo, but he sure reminds me of my Grandpa Garner here.
Showing his Mama his Baby Blues.
Oliver loves running and he wants to be the fastest so he practices and practices.
For one last hurrah, a group of people went out on the boat. There were a few people that hadn't been out yet, but they managed to make some space for our lake lover, Oliver. In the very front is Uncle Brian then to the left is Kaden and then Oliver.
Back at the dock, Kellan and William were having a great time together.
It gave Kellan a chance to tackle his Daddy.
It gave a chance for Mommy to take a self portrait.
We had a GREAT day on Saturday with the WHOLE family. That night, as I looked back at the photos I realized that I didn't have photos of many people outside of the kids so my mission for our final morning was to get more pictures. I think that is a mission I can accomplish.
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