"Fish On"

We left the house at o'dark-thirty and drove to the Coast to go on our friend Stephens boat for a day of Tuna fishing. Any of you that know me, know that I am scared to death of fish, the worst being the tiny live-bait fish you actually pay good money for before putting out into the big-wide ocean. They creep me out, all wriggly in the net, then you look in the holding tank and there are millions of them circling-waiting to jump out on me. I did survive this part, but no, I never baited my own line or touched any of the little demons. That's what I bring the men for.

So, barely past o'dark-thirty we headed out, over the Columbia River Bar, to sea, where we did find Tuna. They are so beautiful when they swim by the boat with their deep-blue sparkle and strong tail flashing. Now, about that beautiful-strong tail, it creates a problem, especially when you have to be as strong as the 3-6'3"+ guys on the boat. Those suckers can swim, fast and hard. After reeling in the first 2, you practically cry when you feel the tug on your line and hear the line whizzing out of the measly pole in your arms, and are forced to yell, "fish on!" Then you start the fight. Pull, reel, pull, reel, pull reel, getting close, I see it, yell "got color" then the beautiful sparkly thing you worked so hard to see, gets a second wind and dives while you watch helplessly as line goes out making that, now annoying, whizzing sound. Pull, reel, pull, reel, pull, reel. My arms hurt and my stomach is bruised from wedging the pole into it because I don't have big strong biceps like the sweaty burly men beside me. No way will I complain, or ask for a belt though, must "man up" and I do.

Sometimes it really gets fun, when you all have "fish on" and the fish decide to mess with us human types. They start swimming circles around each other, causing me and sweaty-bloody-burly men to do some form of a square dance with poles and invisible fishing line trying not to tangle up. Like I said, this was fun! I am sure if the Tuna didn't have some hook stuck in its throat it would have a great laugh at us do-si-do-ing.

34 times we did this, and for those of you who don't know, that's a great day of fishing. OK, I personally didn't reel in all 34, I am probably responsible for 8ish, but today I feel all 34. If anyone ever needs a really good lower back and bicep workout, get a guide and go out. I highly recommend it. For all the pain, there is nothing like the rush, when you hear a line start whizzing, then another and suddenly you're there in a school of Tuna for a couple of hours near tears, covered in blood and wanting more.

If You're Wondering Why We Love the Lake

That is Austin impersonating Superman and my hubby whirling him into Neverland. And yes, I video'd it.

A Boating We Will Go

We put a boom on our boat creating a ton of fun for the kids. The best part was Isabel water-skiing off it. As long as the water is warm she'll play with us, but the slightest hint of cold air or water and she's out. That little body just doesn't hold any heat in. Taylor struggled getting up on the ski's and learned it's just as much fun to get drug around in the water. Then there is Cole. He loves it all and exhausts us all. The best part is watching him watch Austin wakeboard. He jumps and stands in the same position mimicking his every move. Maybe next weekend we'll see if he can hold onto the boom and ride the kneeboard a bit.

Just Can't Do It

So much fun stuff lately and fun pic's to go along with it all. Want to share, but I am so tired, it's just not happening....yet. Sorry g'mas and friends, I'll do it, I promise!

These Are Not the Parents I Grew-Up With

I am having family association issues!

Who are these people?

I do recognize my uncle on the left, who, by the way, always told me I reminded him of Farrah Fawcett. Thanks Kelly, you always gave me a good ego boost. The couple on the right claim to be my folks, strange......

The Boy

Not too sure about the nakey bum on my blog, but it's too cute to pass up on. Cole is, like his dad, obsessed with waterskiing and boats. We have to drag him everywhere around the house holding onto the rope and boat seen below. Actually that's not true, the rope mysteriously got lost recently. Ooops! He "reads" the boat magazine all the time, while enjoying a nice cold......milk. At the lake he finally got brave with Cousin Au-T and went swimming and we had to strip him after because he couldn't walk with his swollen diaper on. Thus, the nakey water-ski pics. I'm taking bets on who will actually ski first in our family, and my money is on the two-year-old.

You must hold the rope and the boat and the boat must be facing the right way! It was fun the first 100 times.

The best part was watching his little cheeks shiver with the cold air!

Super Seven

The tiny thing that made me whole turned 7 on Friday. She fit perfect then and even more so now. Isabel has this gift of being able to cuddle into you and conform her body to melt into yours. HOWEVER, she is becoming a typical girl. Distracted by anything shiny, talking non-stop, telling stories with no point that last forever. It's awesome and completely exhausting all at the same time. Sister Taylor has been at g'mas for a week and we've never realized how much they play together. Come back, Taylor! Happy 7th Isabel, Love You!

A freak thunderstorm hit the night before Isabel's birthday and with the standard issue hyperness came a whole different wave of crazy. I think the static from the storm went directly to her brain. We thought we would have to sedate her to get her to sleep that night.