The Oley Family: 4th of July

We spent the weekend at Nana's and Papa's lake house this year for the 4th. We had a BLAST! We got there at around lunchtime on Friday and ate lunch. Then it was off to the "pool" for the kids!

Marek trying on his new goggles. . .

Madelyn with her goggles. This made us all giggle. She sort of looks like Cameron Diaz!!

Mads showing off her festive nail polish ala Mariana.

Mari and I went for a ride on the scooters! It was Mari's first time and she did great!

After napping, the kids wanted to swim in the lake. We've never really done this because none of the adults wanted to get in! Daddy was a trooper and went in with them . . .

Marek and I relaxing in the hammock chairs. . .

Then the craziness ensued. Madelyn wanted to jump off the dock - she is fearless . . .

(check out Tom's face)

Marek is a bit more cautious and wanted to start jumping from the ladder of the pontoon first . . .

My big boy . . .

(Check out daddy's face again)

He was hooked!

(Tommy looks more relaxed, too!)

He was then ready for the big time - both of my children are FEARLESS!

Daddy needed a rest after hoisting the kids up to the ladder for over an hour so he and Papa took the kids for scooter rides! Just up and down the road, of course. . .

Marek "kicking the tires" and checkin' out the bike first . . .

Madelyn with daddy . . .

Marek did NOT want to stop to wave to momma - he wanted to keep going.

The Whisenants arrived just in time for dinner. Mom made hot Dagos and they were so good!After eating, it was time for a boat ride!

Marek and his God mommy . . .

Jason was a kid magnet! They all flocked to him during our excursion . . .

My big boy watching the wake created by the motor. He was mesmerized (ok - and a bit exhausted from the day)!

Madelyn needed to take a little potty break . . .

The next morning we broke out the bubbles after breakfast . . .

Showing off their patriotic tattoos . . .

Papa, Mari, and Nana were so patriotic in their matching outfits!

Next it was pool time! Marek showing off his best belly flop . . .

Pure entertainment for just $30!

This of course led to jumping off the dock, again! Landon didn't want anything to do with it - he was fine in the "pool". Dylan is very cautious and got in a few times from the ladder and worked his way up to the big plunge!

("Crouching Tiger" pose)

Nana had beef brisket for lunch and had cut the watermelon in the shape of stars! She's amazing . . .

We didn't think the Posts were going to make it because they moved into their new house this weekend. They surprised us Saturday morning with an announcement that they would be joining us!! They arrived for lunch and then it was off to the dock again . . .

Mads was first . . .

Then Chase . . .

Then Dylan . . .

and finally, Ashlynn . . .

(Marek was napping)

Steph and Chris, being the avid boaters they are, brought their "floating island". And yes - it wasn't easy for the two preggos to get on this thing! It was comical, I'm sure, watching the entire process!

Kelly joined us on the float after a while.

Does anyone remember these?!?! I LOVED doing these hot pad looms as a child. Papa had found some of these kits at the store and bought them for Madelyn and Ashlynn to play with at the lake. Us girls used to make these for all of our Aunts and Grandmas for Christmas. Ahhh memories . . .

The cousins brought their bikes so while some of the other kids got rides on the scooters, Madelyn and Marek confiscated two and were off!

Dave & Terry (and their niece Allie), John & Ellen, and Mike & Judy all stopped by on their boats and jet skis to say "hi". We decided it was a good time to sing happy birthday to Marek. It's hard to believe that in just 3 days my BABY will be 3 years old.