Our Last Trip to Independence Lake for the Season

Josie, Joshua, and I took what will probably be our last trip to Independence Lake this year. It was in the mid 70s outside and we thought that since the leaves are already turning that we should go. The three of us had a nice drive in our new van. Instead of handing things to the kids we have to toss them the length of the van (the things, not the kids).


Michelle stayed home with Adam and Isaac. They have not been feeling well lately. They have an upper respitory infection that the pediatrican advised Michelle to "keep doing what you're doing" to take care of. This is small comfort when they are not sleeping during the day or the night. Michelle's time with two fussy infants was made much more bearable -- pleasant even -- with the help of a friend who has quickly become one of our favorite people. We feel very blessed to have come to know such wonderful people here.

At the lake Josie and Joshua worked on their sand castles by the water's edge. They are both becoming very proficient in making castles with moats. They tried out their new goggles too -- just for a minute, though. The water was a little chilly for them. Joshua, however, was a trooper and played in the lake with me for some time.

When they were done with the water we played on the playground. Sometimes I forget how fast and athletic they are. We were playing tag and I was "it" -- as usual. When I got close to catching them they would leap off of the play structure, which is set (in parts) some three feet above the ground. Sometimes I really tried to catch them , but couldn't. I'm not sure if that means I'm getting old and slow or that my kids are just really fast. I lprefer to think it's the latter.





In the video you'll see Josie and Joshua on the tire swing at the lake. Josie's spinning the swing until Joshua tells her to stop, then they switched, and Joshua spun the swing. When I swung them they kept calling for more speed, which I couldn't muster. I think that they have gotten used to the tire swing at the Millpond Park in Saline which is taller and can go much faster; fast enough to have them spinning at chest height (my chest, not theirs). Sometimes they stay on for almost half an hour. The tire swing at Independence Lake, however, was no match for the big one, but they figured out how to have fun anyway.

Josie and Joshua climbed into the house through an open window in the front room when we got home. Josie had picked some pretty, yellow flowers in the parking lot at the lake and gave them to Michelle. We had a quick bite to eat and jumped in the bath. Joshua rested his head on the edge of the tub and sighed. Thanks to a good friend and some Josie-Joshua-Papa time I think we all had a pretty good day.