Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Trip Stop 4: Lake of the Ozarks (Camdenton, Missouri)

 We took a jaunt from Jefferson City down to the lake!! Kim's Uncle Mark and Aunt Kathy have a condo on the lake, and they were at the condo for the 4th of July holiday. Kim's cousin, Laura & husband Andy and kids, Drew, Luke, and Chloe were there, too. We had an amazing time together ... this family really knows how to have fun!

Right after getting there, we went for a ride in Uncle Mark & Aunt Kathy's pontoon boat. What a treat to get out on the lake! Both boys really liked it!

 We took a stop at Bridal Cave. The kids fed the koi fish that were hanging out along the dock.
 Ian and Chloe (also age 4) were fast friends. Chloe's a little go-getter and took Ian by the hand, leading him where he needed to go. Precious!
 Uncle Mark & Aunt Kathy bought the kids some bags of "sand" that they could sift through to find "gold" and other "gems." Here, Ian checks out the pretty rocks left behind once all the sand was washed off.
 Matt even found some "gold!"
 Chloe found a pretty rock, too!
 Uncle Mark even let Matt drive on the way back.
 What a fun ride!
 Here, Luke, Chloe, and Ian pretend to drive Uncle Mark's fishing boat ...
 ... and pretend to drive the jet ski.
 After a yummy lunch, Ian was pretty excited about going fishing. Uncle Mark helped get the worm on the hook, and Aunt Kathy showed Ian the fishing technique. What patient teachers!
 Chloe and Ian wait patiently for a bite.
 Success!
 Next, we took turns getting pulled in the innertube. Ian was a little tentative at first and said that the ride (even though we were going slowly) was "very bumpy!" He quickly adjusted ...

... and asked to go out again when it was Daddy's turn.
 I love Ian's hair in this picture. :)
 After the guys finished their ride, Matt went on a just-slightly-faster solo ride!
 Then, Chloe and Ian wanted a turn just the two of them.
 This picture cracks me up ... Chloe wanted to go faster while Ian wanted to go slower. :)
 Here, they both look pretty happy! :)
 Then, we went out on Uncle Mark's jet ski. He's a great driver and took us on lots of fun twists and turns. Matt went out on his own a little later.
 Then, we went swimming in their condo pool and enjoyed a fabulous dinner together before heading back to Jefferson City. Ian was literally asleep before we left the condo parking lot. What a busy day.

Thank you, Uncle Mark and Aunt Kathy, for your gracious hospitality. You knew just how to make a little boy's day! We all four enjoyed our time on the water and catching up with you! So nice to see your beautiful family, too, Laura!

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