Memorial Weekend {2014}

The real reason for memorial day is celebrating those who so selflessly served our country. So we started the 3 day weekend with a visit out to do just that with my Mom and Elena.

I enjoy the cemetery that my grandparents are buried at so much because of the beautiful display of flags on Memorial day. It just breathtaking and I love being able to explain to Elena what all the flags mean. She now wants to join the service so that she will someday have a flag flying on Memorial day. :)

We also took some flowers out to my Aunt's grave.

Love the Garden of the Cross where they are buried.

Then we went and found my Grandma's flag -

 and my Grandpa's!

I just adore this picture of my Mom and Elena.

Robert was supposed to be traveling for work the entire weekend :( but we still planned to head out to the lake with our friends like we usually do. But the weather turned bad where Robert was at and he got to come home!!! Yay yay yay!! The kids were beyond excited!!

 But Dom was a little unsure of the cold water at first!

 But he got more comfortable very quickly!

 Elena took to it like the little fish that she is!

Then we got on the boat - and Dominic was in his element! He loved it and did not want to get off!

 Drake showed off his skiing skills and although Elena went all the way around the lake last year, she fell once this time and was done with trying. Oh well! Maybe next time!

When we got back to the beach Dom was even up for giving it a try (pulled by Robert!) He did great!!  

They have this new totally awesome giant float! Seriously a couple grown adults can stand on it in the middle of the lake! Awesome. 

They also had a surfboard! That Elena and Presley enjoyed thoroughly!

We grilled, relaxed and even got in a little grown-up time with our friends after the kids went to bed. 

 Then we woke up to this...seriously? How perfect!

Slumber parties at the lake and cinnamon rolls for breakfast = happy kiddos!!

and its a holiday so you also have to start the day with popsicles!!  

 and playing in the water!

and more popsicles!

 

Then it was time to head out to the boat again - Dominic was saying "boat, boat, more, pwease" from the instant he woke up!

 

 Dominic wanted to go on this awesome tube - and we were brave enough to let him (in fairness I went with him last night for a quick spin and he did great! Were not that crazy!!)

 He LOVED it! Did not want to get off!

 Even when the ride was over. ;)

 During the middle of the ride (and in the middle of the lake!) he threw his hands up in the air like this! Ahhh!! We all screamed at him to grab the handles and thank goodness he immediately did! I guess he was having so much fun he felt the need to throw his hands up! Silly boy!

 After a break and some snacks we headed back out. How awesome is this contraption by the way? Genius.

 

 This time we stopped to do a little swimming.

 and being the only Mommy on the boat this time - every single little one ended up on my lap! :) Gotta love a mother's touch!

Then we tried Dom on the skis one more time and this time I got a video! He just might be able to go behind the boat by the end of the summer!!

 He truly just loves the water - just like his big sister!!

 We had such a fun time and are so thankful for our generous friends Nate and Mary to invite us out! Check how much the kids have grown over the past years -- {2013} -- {2012} -- {2011}

When we hit the road to head home I think Dominic lasted about 2 minutes before he was out!

 and then we all went home and took a 3 hour nap! That lake will wear you out!  

 

Happy Memorial Day!!