Fishin' and Kayakin' on the Wapsi

We got adventurous and took the kids on their first kayaking trip for 2016 a few weekends ago. This was also the first time the boys got to go fishing with Grandpa and try real fishing poles!

The boys were SO excited to try their new fishing poles from Grandpa.

Madison loved showing the boys the worms.

Grandpa was such a trooper and got all the kids poles ready and baited.

Madison loves fishing.

Tucker.

Carter.

 Tucker watching Grandpa

 Cooper

Each li'l guy got to go for a kayak ride with Dad.

Carter

Tucker

 Carter LOVED fishing. Eventually we took the hook and bait off the poles, and the boys had a blast just casting their bobber out and reeling it back in. Carter did this over and over and over for a really LONG time.

Cooper with Dad out in the kayak.

Madison got brave and climbed this tree.

Finally, Grandpa got a little bluegill so the kids could see the boys could see their first caught fish!!!

Carter

Cooper

Tucker

Madison enjoyed her ride with Dad, too!

It was a fun day for all!

Madison stole my sunglasses and thought it was funny.

Josh had basically drag me out to enjoy the outdoors, but luckily for my kids, I love them so much that I was willing to do it. And, of course their smiles and reactions to everything made all the work we had to do worth it. The kids really enjoyed the fishing and kayaking and being outside all afternoon! Thanks to Grandpa and Grandma for coming along, too!

I am sure this is was the first of many kayaking/fishing trips for the Smysers!

Birthday & Mother's Day Weekend 2013

Just wanted to recap this last weekend. We celebrated a lot since my birthday was on Mother's Day. I wish I would have taken even more pictures...but oh well.

 

Josh got me a new laptop...this is my first post from my new laptop. It's going to take a while to get used to...it has Windows 8 and is touch screen! I feel old trying to navigate and figure it out. LOL.

 

Anyways, on Saturday after Josh did a bit of work, we decided to go to the zoo. BUT...the zoo was PACKED...no parking spots were open. :( So...we skipped it. We drove by Madison's preschool that she'll attend this fall and she played on the playground for a bit.

 

 

We headed to Teske's and the highlight of her (and Josh's) day was holding the baby bunnies! SO cute!

 

Of course Josh wanted to take it home...but I said NO. I have to admit watching her hold and cuddle the bunny was pretty precious.

We decided on a whim to start a garden. So...we bought some watermelon, pumpkin, and strawberry plants. Wish ME luck! A post on our garden will happen sometime soon...

 

After that we headed to VandeVeer to feed the ducks. Here they are goofing around!

 

Later they made me cupcakes! Madison was great at supervising her Daddy.

 

M was in charge of the sprinkles. Her favorite. We took them to my family dinner that night.

 

We enjoyed a cupcake together before our family birthday dinner. We match! She requested I wear my zebra shirt (when she thought we were going to the zoo).

 I was too busy visiting to take pictures at dinner. Whoops!

 

On Sunday, Mother's Day, we met Tracy, Louie, Bev, and my Dad for lunch. Here's M with the caterpillar and coffee mug she painted for her G'ma and Great G'ma.

 

Then...it was off to the lake for kayaking! It was a bit chilly. BUT...the highlight of the trip was the baby turtle that Great G'ma Bevy found for M. SHE LOVED IT!

 

I was a little grossed out...but she loved holding it.

 

What a cute baby turtle!

Bev asked her what she wanted to name him. M said, "Ummmm. Ummmmm. Turtle." Haha! 

 

I love her face in this picture. I think it was coming out of his shell or wiggling his feet or something.

 

So, Turtle rode on the kayak back to the shore to show Grandpa Dave and Great Grandpa Louie.

 

Then...it was time for some fishing! Of COURSE she caught a fish. She always does!

 

So proud! Don't worry...we threw him back in!

 

We let Turtle go, too. Bye, bye!

 

My girl and me. LOVE HER!

 

It was a wonderful Mother's Day and Birthday weekend. I can't believe I'm 31...but I'm excited to see what this next year of life has in store for me!

Here Fishy - Fishy!

Last Sunday was one of those days that I wished would've never ended.

We spent the day at West Lake. 

It included the following:

Family - even Winky!

Kayaking.

Turtle Sightings. 

Fishing. 

Sun with a Slight Breeze.

French Fries (M told me to add this.) :)

A rare picture of my Dad being silly!

Winky!!!

I love our double kayak. Less paddling for me!

One of the 6+ turtles we saw while kayaking. M wanted pictures of all of them. lol!

Fishing time. Good thing Grandpa came along since Josh and I do not like touching the worms!

Love!

The first fish! M caught the second one and got all the bites after that.

Here she is reeling her fish in all by herself. Her focus was adorable. She would say, "Here fishy, fishy. I have a yummy worm for you!"

She finally got brave and enjoyed choosing the worms to bait her hook.

The last ride of the day. She loves spending days like this with her Daddy!

Here's to many, many more days like this Spring and Summer. Who wants to join us next time?!