Hagen hunting with Ryan...mans trip

Ryan and Chad have been friends since High School.  Chad was there for Ryan when his Dad died and so has Chad's Dad Charlie.  Chad is like a brother to Ryan and I love that they have boys that are close in age to enjoy man things with together.

 

 There is lots of fishing.  There was another guy there with his son and daughter that I don't know.

 This is what memory building looks like...two guys in their elements.

 Lots of eating junk and staying up late...you know, the good stuff...

 Lots and lots of fish catching...

 Peeing in the pond you are swimming in...I have a picture of him peeing on every man trip he has been on...thanks Ryan...

 Friends that don't even care what you just did and love you anyway.

 Grasshopper netting...

and more fishing..

 Here is Ryan and Chad with their boys Hagen and Christian.  Hagen is 6 here and Christian is almost 4

 the kid crew...

 Nightly campfires to discuss politics and the worlds problems... and reading with a good friend...since you now know how to read.  ;)

 To say he is exhausted is an understatement...he loves these trips and comes back sweet and more mellow.  For a day...I mean, I wish it would last longer but it doesnt.

Here's hoping for many more years of this!

4th of July - part II

We left off at the best wings in the world...it was Uncle Rick, my Dad and Mom, and Auntie L.

The kids had fun playing on the beach there and enjoying virgin strawberry daiquiris

 Hazel promptly fell asleep on the boat.  We were worried about her over heating so I unzipped her...she looks like the guy from weekend at Bernie's!!

 This is a HUGE catfish!!!  That's as close as Hagen was getting!!!

 This is more his size...

 Picture of the lake house from across the cove...

 Papa always gets good pictures with the kids...

 Man boating trip...

 So, this may not look like a good parenting move but it was big.  Hagen had his first shot and I took one with him!  I could NOT believe he was really going through it and so I had to follow through too!  It was a shot of sprite with...a minnow in it.  A live minnow...

 Mom's face says it all...he was SO proud of himself and was shocked I did it too!  It is way better than doing an oyster or something...ugh...

Hazel got to drive the best boat on the lake.  This is Bruce...married to Vicky.  The own Mimosa and lived above the small store for years.  He told her for a long time that he would someday build her dream home.  he did...and damn is it ever a dream home.  2 lots...on a point...just simply beautiful!!! 

 This man worked hard his whole life and deserves anything he gets...well done

 Mom and I...tipsy after dinner and drinks...

 here's the crew.  We are heading out in the morning so we are about to say our goodbyes and pour ourselves in bed.

 The lake is just awesome.  I have such a feeling of calm there that I can't explain.  No schedule...just chilling.  It will be even better when the kids can make food for themselves!  That is the only "scheduling" we have to keep on.  Why do they eat all the time?!

C

 

Lake of the Ozarks for 4th of July - part I

Lucky us we went BACK to the lake for our own little family vacation.  I got an extra week off this year from my company for being there for over 5 years so we took it!  We were actually here for 1 1/2 weeks...it was WONDERFUL!!!

 

We started off where we normally do...drinking...run runners to be exact.

 

 I love these ladies...

 There was a place where the kids could feed the fish...giant carp and catfish...yuck.

 Hagen was stoked to drive Uncle Tommy's boat.  This is a big deal...Tommy is very particular about his boat...it is the cleanest boat I have Ever been on...

 I got a family picture on the swing at Mimosa...trip complete...

 Hagen's first sparkler...he burned his hand right after this pic was taken...the cup was to protect from the sparks, but the end of the sparkler came into the cup...parent fail...

 These two love to fish...Hazel's is a fake rod and reel but she will just sit and follow Hagen around...WHICH is unsafe so we have to watch to make sure she isn't in the line of fire if you know what I mean.

 Evening time is just so beautiful at the lake...the water is calm...the ducks are out for dinner (we feed them bread)...and it is just peaceful...I LOVE this time of day at the lake!!

 Hazel's turn to drive!  This time she is driving Uncle Rick's boat...I don't think she likes it do you?

 Snuggling up to Auntie L

 So Uncle Rick brought this over from his dock (right across the cove) and Hagen was in HEAVEN!  See him disappearing over the back?  it was a blast!!

 I let him get his hair cut however he wanted since it is summer and it will grow fast.  It is BUZZED! Shelley kept asking me if I was SURE I wanted it...I said not a problem. Now I know why she was making sure.  And No...it didn't grow back fast like I thought!!  Lesson learned

 Hazel in fish heaven

 

 Papa in Fish Heaven!

 Hazel in her won little fishing world

 Due...this is the best vacation EVER!

 hitting the club...

 It is another restaurant on the lake that has by far the BEST wings I have EVER had in my life...honestly they are making my mouth water just thinking about them...so damn good!!

 Sweet baby boy with pretty blue eyes... and...No freaking hair...

Slipping and Sliding...our backyard water park

We are home bodies...we don't like leaving our area.  What we LOVE to do is turn on the music, pop open a beer (or juice box) and hang out in the yard.  It is nice that Hazel is now older so we don't have to worry about her as much, but we still make sure that one of us is out there when they are swimming/sliding.

 This blow up pool is seriously awesome...it is pretty big!  It doesn't look like it in this picture but it is a great size.  See Hazel in the background perfecting her form?

 The slip and slide we got was a hand me down from a few years ago.  REally?  A hand me down slip and slide?  I was not a fan of keeping it since I had JUST had Hagen when we got it.  The guy swore we would want it, so we kept it.  It is by far the BEST one out there! The green part is blown up too so the impact isn't bad!!!

 It has a little pool at the end that isn't much but when you are doing yard work or something and need a quick cool down, just slip your way to cool town...its awesome...

 They just take turns going down...sometimes together which means Hagen slides and hazel walks and falls on her ass and laughs.

 Baby booties that are no longer in a diaper are just DARLING in suits!!!  Sweet cheek!

 See the form...here I think she is running because Hagen isn't running with her...

 Look at the air...

 such a girlie

 This is the best...Daddy bowling.  He throws them down and they FLY! 

 Hazel was a fan this year...

 Sweet baby is loving the water since swim classes!!!  yeah!

 Look at that cute bun...

It's a totally relaxing day for me...not much for Ryan when he has to bowl the kids...it wears him out.