Labor Day & Hope's 10th Birthday

Yay! It's Labor Day and the guys are off. So we all decided to go to the Red River again to play. We were meeting the Nash's there (since they had never been), and Sky's friend Collin.

 

Collin is a member of the armed forces, so he said that if we picked him up at his house, he would take us on base so that we could get some really good inner tubes. So, we picked him up, and we all went on base. Unfortunately they didn't have any of the really good ones because they were "out of season", but we were able to find a few water rafts that would work.

As soon as we got there, the guys jumped right in. They didn't waste any time. The water was pretty cold, too.

We got there early, and then the Nash's finally showed up (we were beginning to think that they got lost). They brought Obrahm, too. (He's the one in the white hat). He doesn't swim, so he just watched everyone. But it was nice to see that they included him. I don't think that he ever gets out and does anything fun.

Brandon always likes to get away and do different things, so he was really happy just playing in the water. He is one who enjoys life to the fullest!

Bart joined him right away, while I went to go change into my swimming suit.

The water was extremely low today. We haven't had much rain at all. There were places in the river that you had to stand up and walk over - then you could continue floating down the river. At one point when Bart and I were floating together, it got so low that my knees got drug on the rocks!

Brandon was being a goof ball, and was wearing these arm floaties for awhile. Anything to entertain us! Love this guy :)

Collin was the first to use the rope to swing out into the river. He made it look so very easy. He was so fun.

Then, it was Bart's turn. He acts just like a little kid, and has to do everything that they do. I think that the other guys were impressed that he would even do it - but he kept up with them the whole time! Now I know where Brandon gets it!

Then Hope wanted to go next. Brandon instructed her where to hold her hands on the rope, and then which way to swing out. He was really patient with her. Then she did it like a pro!

Not to be outdone - Faith went next. Brandon helped her too. She had fun.

Everyone was having so much fun, that Melody wanted to give it a try. She did it too - actually a couple of times.

 

Bart was a regular little monkey. He and Brandon went over, and over, and over again. They had a blast!

Jason didn't go on the rope. He kept an eye on the little girls, and he did help the girls and Melody get out of the water (cuz it got slick).

Hope couldn't get enough, and she went several times as well. This girl loves to go, go go. Brandon was always there to supervise. He looks pretty tough with those water wings on his arms, huh?

Then of course they had to turn it into a contest. Bart and Brandon would try to swing out from the rope, and then land in the inner tube. Bart missed it by [.] this much, but Brandon managed to nail it!

 

Faith went again....

 

But when she started to climb out of the river, she got water in her eyes, and she was wearing contact lenses. She was yelling to her Dad - that she couldn't see! It was pretty funny. She just sat there until Jason came and got her so that she could wipe her eyes dry. Awww. What a good Dad.

Bart trying to make it into the tube again....Brandon looking on to see if he is successful.

I girls kidnapped our rafts and were just making their own entertainment a little ways from where the guys were swinging from the ropes.

Jason and Melody coming out of the water. Melody realized that I was taking pictures, and was like - you better not post that!

 

Then we all took a break from the river, and had some lunch. It was Hope's 10th Birthday, so the plan was - Melody was going to bring hamburgers and hotdogs so that we could grill. So, we brought some salads to go with (what we thought were burgers). She ended up bringing cold cuts for sandwich's instead. What?! It was all go though, and we had plenty to eat.

While everyone was taking a break from the water and eating their lunches, Brandon and Bart were finding their own entertainment - yet again. They had some clay pigeons in the back of the truck. So, they took the clay thrower and started seeing who could throw the farthest. Then it was who could hit what tree, and it went on and on from there.

Hope blew out her birthday candles, and made a wish. We all had cake. (There was another cake that they brought, so there was plenty for everyone).

I think everyone had a great time. And, these 2 were krazy the whole time! Great Memories were made today. Isn't that what it's all about! Man I love my life.