On A Boat...

One of my favorite memories from when I was a little girl, was when my grandpa would invite our family to go out on his boat fishing.  As a young girl, I didn't really have the patience required for fishing, but I was willing to put in my time as I knew in the end, my patience would be rewarded.  It wasn't with a prize winning catch after hours of fishing.  Oh no.  My reward was that at the end of the day, my grandpa would drive his boat as fast as it would go across around the reservoir.

I still remember sitting on his boat with my orange life vest resting heavily on my shoulders, catching my breath every time we hit a little wake or every time he made a sharp turn.  I can almost feel the wind in my hair, the spray in my face and the butterfies in my stomach that made those trips on Grandpa's boat such a treat.

I think it was from those early boating trips, that I made the decision that someday I wanted to own a boat.  When I was a teenager, I loved church activities that involved boats and I was so grateful to have friends whose parents owned boats.  I looked forward to trips to Bear Lake and Deer Creek Reservoir and although I was never a great water-skier or wake-boarder, I was more than happy just to go along for a ride on the boat.

All through my childhood and teenage years, I begged my dad to get us a boat.  Unfortunately, my dad was not a fan of boats and he assured me that he would never buy our family a boat.  He may or may not have said something like, "It would be much easier for me to just flush my money down the toilet."  Luckily, however, after several years of begging and pleading from me and all my siblings, my dad finally agreed to buy a boat.  The next day he came home with a 3-person canoe.  As much as my dad loved it, it really wasn't what any of the rest of us had in mind.

How my dad pictures family boating. Unfortunately, he has eight kids and owns a 3-man canoe.

Since marrying Andrew, I have often brought up the idea of buying a boat.  A few years ago, we went to Hebgen Lake with my aunt, uncle, some cousins and their kids, and our three oldest children.  It was a great week spent on the water, watching our kids squeal their heads off as Steve pulled them behind the boat.  Andrew and I both renewed our relationship with wake-boarding and slalom water skiing.  It was such a great way to spend time together as our little family and with my cousins.  I  came home from Hebgen determined that someday we would own a boat.

Well, finally this past spring, the stars aligned and my wish came true.  Somehow, just in casual conversation with friends, we found two other families who were interested in buying a boat.  None of us, has any real "boat experience" so the idea of sharing the costs and the responsibility was very appealing.  And so, two days after making the decision to do it, we were the proud and somewhat nervous owners of a boat.  The timing of it all just happened to coincide with Andrew"s birthday, so in my mind, I will always be able to say that I bought Andrew a boat for his 38th birthday!  

Happy Birthday to Andrew! Our first day on the water in our new boat.

So far, having a boat has been everything I ever hoped it would be.  I really can't think of a better way to spend time together as a family - we always include yummy food, fun music, great conversations, and we get to cheer each other on as we try new things.  I love it!  I am looking forward to years of waterskiing and wake-boarding  and cold-water plunges with my kids as we spend time together on the boat.  

Only Lucy would go boating with a tutu, a purse and a binky.

Loving the tube we bought from Costco - fun for family and friends.

It isn't often that childhood dreams come true - and mine may have been a frivolous one - but as my family cruises across the water in our boat, with the mist blowing up around us, I can almost feel the weight of that orange life jacket on my shoulders and I can definitely feel the butterflies in my tummy I first felt so long ago.  

Strawberry and Cheetos. A Fall Classic.

Last week Isaac and Henry were too sick to go to school, but not too sick to go fishing.  Sounds a little bit like Huck Finn if you ask me.  

Seriously, I had just called the school, early enough that I wouldn't have to talk to anyone, and left a message saying that the boys would be missing school for a family event out of town with their grandpa.  This was all true, Elizabeth's dad (Grandpa) invited us fishing on a pontoon boat (family event) up at Strawberry reservoir (well out of town).   

Not long after making the phone call we had to stop the car so Isaac could get out and throw-up on the side of the road, much like Henry had the night before.   Why didn't I just call the school and tell them the basic facts, that both boys were sick, and would miss school.  We wouldn't want this stomach virus going to other kids, even though that's probably where we got it.  We wanted to keep this within our family.  Plus, puking over the side of a fishing boat is quite common.  I've read "The Perfect Storm" and have seen an episode of "The Deadliest Catch".  

It was a great early start.  The morning sun was impressive shining on the back side of Mt Timpanogus.  It looked like the perfect day.

As we approached the lake, we dropped down into a cloud that filled the valley.  It was 22 degrees but we were prepared for the cold.  We headed out onto the lake with zero visability, in no particular direction, hopefully towards the fish.  

Henry was bundled up and optimistic.  It seemed no one was on the lake but then we came upon this lone fisherman who appeared to be posing for a gear catalog or a motivational poster entitled "Persistence" or "Determination" or "Lose Yourself in Dense Fog".

I looked over to find Henry comatose on the bench.  I guess he figured he'd wake up when the sun burned through.  

Seriously, he slept in this position for over TWO hours.

Then came the fish.  Last time we went fishing, it was more about just enjoying the scenery, the time in the canoe with my son and my father in law, but this time, we caught fish.  We also re-lived one of Elizabeth's favorite childhood memories: fishing at Strawberry with her dad and licking cheetos residue off her fingers all afternoon.  This time, no paddling, great company, cheetos, and a surplus of willing 18 inch long cut throat trout.   And then the sun burned through.  What a sick day.  I've read fishing t-shirts and bumper stickers about this kind of a day.  Now I get it.

Jon, and his brother Steve reeled these in at the same time.  Steve's would not hold still for the picture and tried to bite his finger off, which is why he cannot stop laughing.

Henry chose a special white lure and sure enough, together we caught one.  He loved reeling it in and was very proud of his lure selection.  Here is his fish, just as grandpa was about to throw it back it flipped out of his hands for the picture.

Isaac was very patient, and had endured our last fishless day, never getting frustrated.   He was casting great and having a great time and knew his time would come.  His first one somehow broke the line just as we got it close to the boat.  Finally he yelled out, "got one" and sure enough, reeled in a beauty all on his own.  He was pretty happy.

It was beautiful sunny day and will have to become a November tradition

A Tribute to My Dad...

Dad,

I have always felt lucky to have you for a dad - and here are just a few of the reason why....

I have always known that you love me.

When I was down, you always encouraged me get back up on that horse.

(At the cabin - 1976.)

You have great jeans   -   I mean genes.

(At the cabin - 1972.)

You support my family in all the things we do.  

(Henry and Grandpa at Lotoja.)

You love Mom.  Thank you a million times for that.

(Mom and Dad on their 40th Anniversary - June 2008.)

You appreciate the little things - and the big things.

(Grandpa and Lucy - 1 hour old.)

For all the things you have taught me, and all the things you do, I love you, Dad.

Happy Fathers Day.

Love, 

Elizabeth