Camping at the lake with the Settles

This Pontoon Boat thing is really fun!  We are loving this boat and will never go back to a different kind of boat.  We camped at the lake again this past week and spent a great deal of time on the boat.  For the first time this year, we had our annual camping trip with Becky and Stuart Settle and their boys Lucas and Mason.  We so enjoy camping with them!  As you can see in prior posts, we try to camp with them each year.  The kids always seem to take about 10 - 15 minutes to warm up to each other, but then they pick up where they left off.  As if we are able to see them more than once or twice a year.

We tooled up and down the lake as well as dropped the anchor and jumped and floated in the 25 feet of water.  One day we went to a beach area on the lake and had it all to ourselves.  And of course, had to ride to get ice cream in the boat one night.

Having S'moreos, making our traditional Doritos taco salad in the bag and hanging out with one of our favorite families, made our camping extra special.

Lucas hanging out in the lake

Mike and Emily floating in the water

Stuart

Ryan on the boogie board

Becky, Stuart and Lucas

Mason

Lydia's Target version of a Paddle Board

Doing a front flip off the "Paddle Board"

Lucas and Lydia

We did some fishing while we were there.  Poor Stuart ended up having to help all five kids get their worms on their hooks.  All five kids fished and we had three catches total.  Fun times!

Emily waiting on her catch of the day

Lucas and Mason fishing

Lucas and Stuart

Lydia waiting to reel in a big one

Becky on the porch making pancakes.  She let the kids make and flip their own.  It all turned out really well and the kids LOVED them!!

Lydia's big pancake

Mason's big pancake

Ryan and Mason riding into the sunset

L to R:  Lucas, Emily, Mango, Lydia, Ryan and Mason--the gang's all here!

Emily and Lydia having fun walking Mango

 Mason

 Lydia

Emily

Fish on!  Good job Lucas!!

Mike and the kids fishing

Reeling one in

Circus time with the Settles!

L to R-Emily, Mason, Lydia, Lucas, Ryan

The Circus with the Settles is always a fun time!!  We have been the past few years, but missed last year.  The kids love getting together and they have so much fun!!  Becky, Mason and Lucas's mom and my friend, tends to enjoy the circus a little more than the children I believe :).  It gives us a good excuse to get together.  Sadly, this time we had to cut our trip short because of a projected snow fall that was due to come.  It came, but not as early as we thought and we would have been fine waiting until the next morning to drive home.  Of course.

Checking things out . . . LtoR-Mason, Emily, Lydia, Lucas, Ryan

8 motorcycles in the steel ball!  Ryan's favorite part!!

Love when they do this!

Our Annual Trip to Carter's Mountain Orchard

 Several weeks ago we took our (becoming) annual trip to Carter's Mountain Orchard in Charlottesville. This year we went with our good friends, the Settles. We all had such a super time!! Such a great tradition each year!

 

Camping with the Settles

What a terrific weekend!! The five of us went camping with my friend, Becky, and her family. Our kids are ages 6, 5, 4, 3 and 3. They absolutely love each other! This is the second year we have gone camping with this family. It is so much fun!! We went to Christopher Run Campground at Lake Anna. There is a great swimming area at the lake along with a little beach. They have a playground and some great fishing. Ryan and Lucas (Becky's 6 year old) both caught their first fish! Ryan actually caught 4 fish before the day was over! We were all pretty proud parents! Stuart owns a sailboat and he and Mike took it out on Sunday, before we left. His plan was to take the rest of us out as well, but when they returned it was getting late and starting to rain. Hopefully next time:). On Saturday morning, for breakfast, Becky brought ingredients to make "boiled bag omelets" that the kids could make themselves. They had such a great time shaking their bagged omelet and ate every bite! Never thought I would, but we sure do LOVE camping!!!