Baby's First Boat Ride

I told you we had a fun-filled Memorial Day weekend!  And we did.  Russ got off work Saturday morning and drove over to spend the weekend with us.  After attending the funeral of a good friend of Russ's dad, he met up with us for a Memorial Day weekend boat ride!  Millie Janalee's first boat ride.

Lee and Kristin invited us out on the boat, and we jumped on the opportunity.  I asked my parents if they wanted to come with us and keep Millie Janalee company in the shade.  Ha!  They jumped on that opportunity too.  They always jump when it involves Millie Janalee.  The plan was for my parents to take Millie Janalee back whenever she got tired or was just ready to get off.  Gosh, I'm so thankful for grandparents!  Aren't you?

I paced the floor all morning waiting on Millie Janalee to wake up from her nap and for Russ to come back from the funeral.  If everyone could just stick to my schedule, I'd be such a happy girl!  Haha!  Millie Janalee jumped on the boat with us just as happy as she could be.  Until the life jacket went on.  And, I don't blame her!  I felt so sorry for her, and then I realized she was hungry!  Oops!  In all the excitement, I forgot it was past her lunchtime.  Susu and Pawpaw took care of feeding the hungry baby while Russ and I enjoyed the sun.  Again, thank you Lord for grandparents!

Millie Janalee and Pawpaw trying to rig a way to be comfortable in this life jacket.

Yummy!

After Millie Janalee partook of her lunch, the rest of us began to dig in the coolers for our own lunches.  We fixed sandwiches, ate chips and dip, fruit, and more.  Just the kind of thing we like to do when wearing our swimsuits for the first time this year...eat!  Just to see how far they will stretch. 

Susu is so funny!

When everyone was fed and hydrated, we began hitting the waves again! 

Sheila and Dustin

Russ and Kristin

Captain Lee!

Millie Janalee loved watching the water behind us and the wind in her hair!  Who woulda thought that a full baby is a happy baby?  Sorry, baby girl.  Mama got too excited!  We fed her a few more snacks to keep her happy while wearing her life jacket, and we let her take it off when we weren't in motion.  I thought I was gonna be a nervous wreck having her out on the open water, but it turns out she's a pro at this whole summer thing!  It's a good thing...because we do summer up right around here!

Watching the waves we made

"The sun is so bright!"

"Hey Uncie Lee!"

"This is the life!"

You might say that we are spoiled.  We grew up on the water.  Not because we own a boat or a lakehouse.  Because we always had friends who did.  When my sister, brother, and I were younger, we spent many holiday weekends and summers in a nice lakehouse riding on wave runners and in pontoons.  We've rented boats and houses when we needed our fix.  Spending time at Pickwick is certainly on mine and Russ's list when all this "doctor training" mess is over with once and for all!

(Side note: Russ will be 33 years old when he officially finishes school/training.  He deserves time on the lake!)

Me and the hubs

The sun was bright, and the water was just fine!  Lee is always so good to navigate us away from the crowds to avoid being knocked to kingdom come with the waves and crazies!  It was such a relaxing day laughing, dancing, listening to music, visiting, and taking in the sun!  It's always a fun time with the siblings on the lake!

Sistas...Sheila, Kristin, and me

When Susu and Pawpaw decided it was time for Millie Janalee to return to land, we all got a few extra minutes of playtime in with her cute self.  I'm so glad she is such a happy baby and loves all the things we do.  Even if it's only because she's too young to know better.  Russ and I always want Millie Janalee to experience things with us because she's just so fun to watch!  This makes it a little difficult for the grandparents to get alone time with her, I've been told.

Millie Janalee with Auntie Kristin and Uncie Lee

Mama and Millie Janalee saying "See ya later!"

After dropping off the grandparents and Millie Janalee, Russ and I enjoyed some much needed fun time on the boat!  After riding around a while, we tied up with another boat full of people and enjoyed our time while the sun was still out. 

Well, most of us enjoyed the sun...

Sleepy Dr. Russ

It was a fun start to the summer!  Thank you so much, Lee and Kristin, for inviting us along!