Our 1st Family Vacation

We were fortunate enough to get to go on a vacation this year, this is our first vacation in about six to seven years so we (for Kerry and I)were extremely excited. Kerry and I decided to take the trip down to Lake of the Ozarks with the boys and my parents. We have never really taken the boys past Bloomington so we really didn't know how the five to six hour trip was going to go over with the both of them so we thought we would leave on Friday night in hopes that they would fall asleep around their bedtime and sleep most of the way down there. Boy! were we ever wrong. Gavin being the talker that he is, not sure where he possibly gets it from, talked the entire five and half hours down there unless he was eating or drinking his milk. Griffin cried for about an hour because he wanted held to go to sleep and he did end up falling asleep about an hour before we arrived. Not too bad for our first trip. The weather was beautiful most of the time. Only one day that really was stormy so we went to the enormous and awesome outlet mall they have there. We got some really good buys for the boys' birthday gifts coming up in October. Most of the time we played in the water. You could find us either learning how to swim, jumping off of the dock, riding the jet skis, or just lying out in the sun. We took both of the boys out on the jet skis and they both adored it. Griffin fell asleep more often than not but at least he enjoyed the ride. Gavin thought that it was like a 4 wheeler in the water. I was a little worried the boys wouldn't be so cooperative about wearing life vests most all day long but they did very well with little to no complaints.

Once Gavin was on the jet ski it was rather difficult to get him off. He was easily calmed down though with learning how to fish. A task I really haven't taken much interest in but was glad someone has shown him the basics. Papa 4 wheeler caught one fish with him and Mama Kathy caught another fish with him. He was so excited that he could hardly sit still.

Griffin enjoyed a turtle raft that he could just sit in and let the waves roll under him. He was a great trooper. He was a little ify on the water the first couple of times but warmed up to it quickly. He also enjoyed an inter tube that he could stand up in. He thought it was funny to float out away from you for a while and then be rushed back to you. Such a cutie pie!!

We ate at some really great restaurants that had really good food. Gavin didn't eat a whole lot but what is new with that. I was just thankful I didn't have to cook for a couple of times. I love to cook but on vacation it is really nice to eat somewhere out for a change. My goal at the beginning of the week was for Gavin was to jump off of the dock into the Lake. On Thursday night with Kerry and myself by his side HE DID IT!!! We were thrilled. He still talks about it today. He did it once and didn't want to do it again but at least he did it. Gavin also learned how to swim a little. Papa 4 wheeler was helping him with his skills.

I learned that I can still do back flips off of the dock and Kerry learned that he should have put sun tan lotion on the last day instead of not and then burning. In the end, we had a great time with my parents, with the boys, and Lake of the Ozarks is just as much fun as we remember seven years ago. We really enjoyed ourselves and I know that both of the boys did as well. We are thankful that we got the opportunity and hoping to return soon.