A Memorable Memorial Day

What a great day it was today.  We woke up early and the boys (including Russ) put up flags throughout the neighborhood with their scout troop.  It is nice to wake up and see the streets lined with big, beautiful flags.  We truly are a blessed nation thanks to those who fought and continue fighting for our freedoms.

When the boys got home, we dressed in our swimsuits, gathered our sunblock and beach towels and headed for Sand Hollow Reservoir for some water-skiing, wake-boarding, knee-boarding, tubing, boating and some all round good times.  Dayna and Jeremy invited us to spend the morning with them on their boat.  We were so excited.  

When Russ and I first got married, we had a boat and spent so much time on Deer Creek, Utah Lake, Lake Powell, etc.  We miss those days.  Garrett had such a hard time sleeping (especially in the car) as a baby/toddler... however, he slept like a champ on the boat.   Sometimes we would go to the lake just so he could get a good nap in.  Russ was a beautiful water skier back in the day.  We would ski in the morning, fish in the afternoon, and ski again in the early evening.  It was a wonderful life.  Well that was 11 years ago.  We haven't been on a boat since then.  Our boys have no memories of those days, and Gracie was still a twinkle in her daddy's eye back then.

Today, Dayna started off the fun skiing.  She had to show the boys how it was done.  She made it look super easy and was showing off with some huge rooster tails.  However, this was my only picture not completely blown out...

Russ skied next.  I think he was nervous.  It had been 11 years since he had last skied.  After his first attempt to get up, we adjusted the weight in the boat.  At his next attempt he got up.  He made a few good cuts, and exhausted quickly.  I think I will be hearing about his sore muscles for the next 5 days.  I was pretty impressed that it all came back to him so quickly.  Good job Russ!

Next, it was Garrett's turn.  He has never attempted any type of water sport.  We decided to try him on the wake board.  Here is a video of his first attempt at wake-boarding...

Jeremy went next.  He showed us what wake-boarding was supposed to look like.  He was cutting hard,  jumping the wake, and finishing with some spin action.

Then, we finally talked Grant into trying the knee-board.  He figured out how to get himself up on his third attempt.  Once he was up, he was a pro.  I think he loved wake-boarding.  

Then Garrett tried the knee-board.  I think he had a much easier time with this.  He couldn't be shown up by his younger brother, so he tried to get a little fancy.  He did some little twists, went out of the wake, etc.

I think the kids were pretty impressed by the whole boating experience.  Thanks to Robinson's for a fantastic adventure.  The boys will be talking about this for weeks.  Grant is already talking like he is ready to coach others on how to do it.  Hahaha!  I had surgery this past week and am still on a few restrictions.  Although I didn't get to participate in the water sports, I loved being on a boat again.  It was a beautiful morning.  Couldn't have asked for better conditions.  

After the lake, I took Gracie to a swim party with her friend Rachel.  They swam in the pool and jumped on the trampoline for 4 hours.  Needless to say, I think she will sleep well tonight.

We topped the day off with a BBQ at Nana's and Papa's.  We ate great food, watched a little basketball, and enjoyed some good company.  Tonight we are exhausted, but quite happy.