The family vacation this year convened at Lake of the Ozarks, or as the kids call it, House with the Lake in the Backyard.  After decades of travels and vacations, Vacation Pig still is holding her figure.

The kids drove down with their Auntie Jen Jen and Auntie Amy while Steven and I were picked up in St. Louis by Ashlyn and Auntie Jewlz.  We met at our normal rendezvous, Ozarkland.  Land of useless toys and nick knacks.

 

Once we arrived and unpacked there was no time wasted.  The kids immediately jumped off the dock into the warm summer lake and we weren't far behind.

If you don't see the video below, click on the following link.  Reghan's Jump - July '17

This year the kids began to take notice of the various games in the game room.  Particularly the pool table.

The game room has a full bar which the kids utilized during their intense pool and card games as they chugged their root beer floats.  Even us adults upstairs couldn't resist them.

The sunblock companies came out ahead this week with the amount we went through.

Auntie Jen Jen and heath started a week long origami effort.

Morning fishing in pj's off the seating area didn't result in much...yet...

Ashlyn and I had quite a bit of girl time to catch up.

While another mother / daughter duo caught up as well.

Tubing, tubing, and more tubing.

The pajama fishing moved from the edge of the water out to the dock where the fish started to bite.

Auntie Amy turned 40 in June and we brought in her party boat full with decor and libations.

The kids were waiting for it so they could dress her in her birthday garb.

Ready to go.

The kids steered for a good bit of the time when not on the big lake.

While the rest of us enjoyed the ride.

They still have it.

Happy to be out.

Big Mable made an appearance and rarely rested.

Then lunch at one of the restaurants on the lake.  Luckily it was a weekday so we had a slip to pull the boat into and could get a table quickly.

Reghan ordered the crab legs and devoured them in no time.

Then back at it.  Love this girl of mine.

She made sure to keep Auntie Amy's birthday celebration going.

Represent.

 Auntie Jen Jen and Auntie Jewelz did pretty good on the big girl.  That is till they flew off.

Lot's of sun time.

Auntie Jen Jen and Ashlyn awoke one morning and continued the celebration with some strong morning moves. 

If you don't see the video below, click on the following link.  Auntie Jen Jen and Ashlyn's Morning Wake Up Dance - July 17

Morning breakfast was usually had down under the pergola and one morning Heath showed us our to make origami boats which he promptly put in the fountain to add to his armada.

One of the highlights of Reghan's week was getting up early to go morning fishing with Poppie.  She not only caught one fish but quite a few and large enough to fry up for dinner that night.  They were delish!

As always, Ashlyn was first up to help in the kitchen with her magical way of doing dishes to add a special somethin' somethin' to it.

We went into town for ice cream one night and Ashlyn and Daddy danced to the music before we headed off to Miniature Golf.

After Nonnie and Poppie took a quick helicopter ride we hit up a couple of the touristy shops and ended at an old as dirt Arcade.  It was hot and muggy inside but they had games that were easily 20 years old if not older which were fun to take a stab at.

Back to the house for our last full day.

Nonnie and Poppie had three sparklers left from our wedding almost 13 years ago.  They brought them along for them to be the first sparklers of the night the kids got to light.  PSA - Although the sentiment was really suite, we quickly learned that sparklers of that age are very volatile and shouldn't be lit.  Needless to say, we're still nursing a burn on the bottom of Ashlyn's foot from one of them.

Glow sticks were next on the agenda.

If you don't see the video below, click on the following link.  Alien Attack - July '17

It was a pure joy to be with everyone and we already have our sights set on 2019.