So Long Summer

Labor Day is always a bit sad for me because it signifies the end of summer. Sure, there are bound to be some nice days still to come, but with football games starting (yay!) it's usually the last real lake weekend. This summer's unusually cool weather made it go by more quickly than ever. I know there are folks who loved and appreciated the cool days we had, but I miss those humid, sun-soaked days when floating in the lake or enjoying a beverage by the pool is the very best way to beat the heat. It also warms my heart to have the family gathered on the dock, sharing a meal on the deck, and waking up under one jam-packed roof to the smell of bacon and Grandpa's pancakes. Love overflowing.

Jim and I began our Labor Day weekend last Friday when we enjoyed a late lunch at our favorite Nashville brewery, Big Woods. We shared their famous appetizer, pulled pork nachos. A perfect lunch!

Our kids and guests arrived in stages, and we enjoyed everyone coming and going as schedules allowed. Adam and Courtney invited her cousin James, and his friend Grant to join us, and they had some fun on the rope swing.

There goes Grant!

And there goes James!

Some were rope-swinging, and some were watching.

Noah just likes to explore.

One-year-olds aren't still for a minute!

Grant did some sliding...

and James did some jumping.

Grant's turn to jump.

And there he goes!

Then it was Courtney's turn. It's realllyyy high, Courtney! I know this because I've done it. Once. You can read about it here.

She did it!

Shylah and Noah.

Noah enjoying the dock. I know he may look a bit funny wearing a life jacket in a kiddy pool with no water in it, but the rule is that if you're a kid on the dock, you wear a life jacket.

There was some chicken playing on the water mat.

Everybody down.

James and Grant heading out for some tubing.

Kyle and Adam tried out the Big Mable.

Catching some air on the tube.

The boys, safely back in the boat. I didn't go along, of course. Tubing makes me too nervous. Even from the boat.

Here's Coco, who came with Kyle and Kristin and her 'sister' Moda, making it a 7 dog weekend. It's always fun to have our furry friends join us! Isn't she cute in her little life jacket?

Shylah received a belated birthday gift from some friends, which was delivered by Kyle and Kristin. Everyone needs a duck hat, right?

This friend isn't furry, but he was lurking around the dock on Sunday afternoon. Cleared everyone out of the water for a bit. :)

Adam, Grant, James, and Courtney before they left on Sunday.

Shylah making her buffalo chicken dip. Yum!

Cute little Noah on the dock.

The buffalo chicken dip was served on the water mat, and passed around for all to share. Except Emma.

We took an evening boat ride, and Shylah's brother Joe, and his girlfriend Kelly, entertained Noah with some songs and nursery rhymes. Kelly works at a day care.

Kelly and Joe.

Noah, Jennifer, and Bryan.

Emma and Jim.

And by the time we got back to the house, this little guy was fast asleep. Night night, Noah.

Kyle and Kristin and the pups headed out on Monday.

As did David, Shylah, Sammi, and Tyler.

And there's Jim, way down there on the dock, lounging on a chair as everyone is packing up to go home.

Noah stayed to help us clean up, and we did a little rocking on the deck.

A little walking around the chairs...

a little smiling at Granny...

and a little attempt at climbing.

The end of the day…

the end of the weekend…

the end of the summer.

God is good, all the time. 

Amen.