Trying out the new wakeboard at Harrison Lake

With our two older sons gone to Idaho with their Nana for the weekend,our usual wake boarding crew was down a few members. Since the weather wasn't too great on Saturday, Brandon and I decided to go to Missoula for the day to the Fair. Horse racing returned to the fair for the first time in 3 years, so it was good to watch the races again. After a little shopping at the teacher's store, which Brandon was thrilled to do, I promised him a trip to Bob Wards. Brandon and I have a terrible habit of buying impulsively when we are without kids. Campers,boats,and motorcycles all were bought on a whim when we were shopping without the boys.

Although we know this is our weakness, we went to Bob Wards and had to check out the end of the summer sale they were having on wake boards. After a few phone calls to his buddies, Brandon was convinced that this wake board was too much of a good deal to pass up. Deciding it was cheaper that our usual impulsive buys, I agreed it was a well deserved treat and we bought it.

With a new wake board to test out, a trip to the lake was necessary. A few phone calls to family and friends, we were on our way to Harrison Lake again to see if the wake board was all that it was cracked up to be. Needless to say, the board was great and all enjoyed testing it out. Since it was a step up from our old board, I was a little fearful that it would be too much for beginners like me. Although I didn't try it out on Sunday, even first-timers were able to ride.

I put together a little video using Movie maker since I took videos instead of stills. I am apologizing ahead of time for the random music heard in the background. I swear, Flash Dance was not my pick for the ipod, but it is a funny one to listen to on the lake.

Against my better judgement

O.K Molly, against my better judgment, I am posting Brandon's dance clinic from Seeley Lake. He is so going to kill me for figuring out how to post this. Enjoy!!

P.S. I don't take him dancing in public often!

Update on our Seeley Lake Fun

Since I have better computer access, I can finally update my blog about our week at Seeley. Each year our family and some family friends rent a lake house and spend a week enjoying the sun and water. This summer we decided not to go to Flathead Lake as we had done the year before, and instead opted to go to Seeley Lake. The weather cooperated and we enjoyed all 7 days doing what we love to do...boating.

My oldest son, Kadon, spent countless hours in his little fishing boat, that we fittingly named "My little dingy." He was excited to catch his first pike early in the trip. The rest of the crew spent time wakeboarding and wake surfing. My middle son, Wil, finally got up on the surf board that his Uncle (Uncle Fun) made for him. We weren't quite sure if it would work or not, but Wil proved everyone wrong.

The highlight of the trip was my husband and our friend's 10-year old daughter's dance performance on the back of the boat. The two plotted to pull the boat into the beach area that had the most people and turn on "California Girls" and dance on the swim platform. I snapped a few pictures and even got a little video before the "performance" ended. Everyone laughed hysterically and I now see where Wil gets his sense of humor.

Although I didn't think I could possibly get tired of boating, I do have to admit that I was happy to return home. It was nice to see our dog and just get back to civilization. I am posting some pictures from the trip. Hope everyone had a good week....we are almost finished up with our classes!

Vacation at Seeley Lake

We didn't get out on the water this weekend because we were getting ready for our week long vacation to Seeley. We arrived on Sunday afternoon and after we got settled down, we put the boat in the water. The lake is absolutely beautiful with tall trees surrounding us. So far the weather has been great and everyone is getting their fill of the water. We bought our oldest son, Kadon, a little 7 1|2 foot boat to fish in and he is learning quickly how to row. Wil is having a blast wakeboarding, and even our 5 month old son Kuley got in the water for the first time. I have done a little wake surfing but did get a good rope burn when I crashed and rubbed the rope through the bend of my arm....with all that grows in the lake, I am going to be a spectator for a couple of days and let my burn heal. I have been taking lots of pictures and will post when I get better computer access. Take care~ Kacey

Harrision Lake

Since the weather has been absolutely wonderful, my family and I took full advantage of it and headed out for the lake Friday. Since it was rumored that our typical spot, Canyon Ferry, had some blue algae, we decided to go to Harrison Lake. It is a little shorter in distance and is a much smaller lake. However, the water conditions are usually better...less boats means less boat chop for water sports.

It was wonderful to spend time with family and friends and we almost filled the boat up with both. One of the reasons we wanted a new boat was for more seating. So with a 16-person capacity, no one has to stay on the shore. I uploaded some pictures I took of various water fun and put it in an animoto to make a video. I hope you enjoy! P.S. My middle son, Wil, thought that bringing a bright orange mask would make for some good laughs and head turns from other boats. And let me tell you, he was right!!!

Finally....Enjoying some time at the lake

After getting word from the Montana Boat Center that the boat was finally fixed, we quickly got the camper ready and headed for Helena. I couldn't believe it was already mid-July and this was our first time spending the weekend at Canyon Ferry. After getting a late start, we decided to get a campsite first and then head back to Helena to get the boat. We got the only site left in Hellgate Campground. It was far from the water, which was going to be an issue when we picked up the boat.

On our way back to Helena, our friends called and said there were spots open in Goose Bay. We told them to save us a spot while we went to Helena for the boat. After picking up the boat and heading back to Canyon Ferry for the second time in the day with 3 energized boys in the backseat wondering "Are we there, yet?", our good luck streak came back to haunt us again. In our excitement of having a fixed boat, we gassed up the boat, but my husband forgot to put gas in the pickup. By the time he noticed, we were too close and decided to chance it remembering that we did have a little gas in the can for the generators.

It was just then when we noticed smoke billowing up from the lake area. It was obvious that a fire had started and with the wind on Friday, the fire was moving rapidly. Fire crews and engines tried to get by the Los Angeles-like afternoon traffic of trucks, campers, and boats heading to the lake. As we inched closer, I feared the fire would prevent us from crossing the dam to get to the camper. "Why us?" kept running through my head as I thought about all the trouble we have had to try to enjoy some relaxing time at the lake.

After about an hour of slow moving, we finally reached our camper and moved it to the new campsite at Goose Bay. The mosquitoes were so thick you couldn't stay out long so we set up camp and went to bed early. (P.S. at this point, the camper started to act up and we had no hot water or fridge)

Brandon got up early and headed back to the Marina to get some gas in the pickup only to realize that because of the fire, there was no power at the Marina, and he would have to take his third trip to East Helena for gas. Finally he returned and we decided to make the best of the day. With lawn chairs and a cooler of snacks, we headed out to the water for the first time, still worried that our boat might not be entirely fixed. Doubtful, we loaded up and hit the water.

After a full 10 hours on the water, we finally got what we wanted ~ a great day on the water with family and friends. The boat ran wonderfully and we all had a great time wake boarding and wake surfing. At this point, it didn't matter what trouble we went through to get to enjoy the day.

Cross Your Fingers

Well, we have finally heard back from the Boat Center and they are thinking our whole boat issue has been a loose wire from the sub woofer and alarm system that the former owner put on. They are taking it to Canyon Ferry Lake this morning and hopefully we will have it on the water this afternoon. Crossing my fingers and hoping that this was the voltage issue that was putting the boat in safe mode.