Smart Fish

Yesterday we spent half the day trying to catch some slimy stinky fish out of the Pine Valley Reservoir. After baiting each line and casting into the sometimes still lake, we would patiently wait for the bobber to disappear. Well some of us were patient. Others... not so much. Many times we would see the bobber vanish only to pull in a half eaten night crawler or an empty hook. Miranda would then observe excitedly "hey, you caught a worm". We caught many worms. I don't know what we are doing wrong. I think we may need fishing lessons. Because too many times yesterday the excitement that came as a tug was felt on the line was soon replaced with disappointment, as a wriggling half eaten worm broke the surface of the lake. It was only more devastating as the realization came that we were the only group at the lake not catching the little buggers. What did they have against us? Needless to say, we left the lake a little broken hearted that we were robbed of all our bait.

Things started looking a little brighter as we spent the rest of the afternoon swimming at the Fry's house. It got a little rough as Nathan began teaching the boys a made up game that was something like basketball. Points were made by shooting the ball into an inner tube. The boys would stand outside the pool, and Nate would start the game by throwing the ball and the boys would jump in. They each had a different inner tube to shoot into. If it went into someones tube other than their own, it didn't count. When a point was made, they would get out of the pool and start again. We did have to make up some rules like: you can only touch the ball, not each other. Miranda and Amy played ring around the rosies and tried to stay out of the way as the boys splashed around. A favorite highlight is when Nate takes one of the inner tubes, or one of the kids, and makes waves by bouncing up and down. "Make waves Daddy".

We finished our day by driving up to Formaster Ridge to watch the fireworks. We sang patriotic songs on the way, then set up our chairs in an empty lot and waited for the show. During the amazing display, Miranda fell asleep, Landon was on the verge, and Byron wondered, with his feet curled up on his chair, if there were any tarantulas up there. Preston also ended up with his feet on his chair.

We had a fabulous day celebrating this land of the free and home of the brave. We feel blessed every day that we have the privilege to live in this great land.