BRRRRRR Lake

Bear Lake is famous for raspberry shakes. So we stopped at the first place we could on our way into town. S, J and G were tired of the car anyway, so it was good to stop. This trip to Bear Lake was the first where we've had our own cabin, which turned out to be awesome, since it was right on the lake. Plus, it had a huge back patio and a hot tub. The hot tub was the biggest hit, particularly since even at its warmest, Brrrrrr Lake is not warm. It was so not warm that Toots refused to get in the water. Even walking out to the boat from the beach, Toots made me carry her on my back. Redonkulous, but what can you do?

 

 

It was also amazing to hang out with all of the cousins on the boat. Sadie again chilled with Grace and Mills, usually in the bow. Ethan went wherever he wanted, as did Holds and Nathan. MJ and Rich I think were on the boat for the entire two days we had it rented: they were the resident grabbers of waterskiis and ropes. Abby snapped this hilarious photo of Chris and D-Max, who was very concerned about Holden's safety while riding the tube!

 

The beach (well, a "bear lake beach") acted as a magnet for Jack: It has water and sand (and a lot of rocks). So he spent most of his days down by the water, digging, building and transporting with beach and construction truck toys. He and Ethan were pals for that. Dunc-Max also enjoyed hangin' with J on the beach. Sadie spent her time hangin' with Grace and Mills, whom she misses since we left the DC area.

The other great thing about Brrrrr Lake was that G and I (that is me, Chase) got to spend all sorts of time bonding. That time was primarily between the hours of 4 and 8 AM, when the rest of the cabin was sleeping. One morning, G and I headed out on a long walk. Another morning, we sat and watched the sun rise (and wished we'd had the boat so we could have taken advantage of the glassy water). On the last morning, G and I took a drive....all the way around the lake. G fell back to sleep for most of it, and so I just listened to Coldplay and enjoyed the views of the lake from all vantage points possible! It was, well, good father son time, I guess.

Sadie gets the prize for looking the silliest in her goggles.  It's pretty steamy behind those lenses.  She wore them almost the entire trip.  Uncle Chris started calling her "goggle Sadie."

Monday brought some sweet waterskiing, made possible by our boat rental and by unusually quiet winds. Man I miss waterskiing. And I miss being on the boat with my bros and with Toots! I love it out there--it's just so relaxing!! Although not yet waterskiing, Sadie and Jack both made it on to the death tube. I coaxed Sadie by telling her the tube was like a pony, and she was being a cowgirl to ride it. I coaxed Jack by promising black nibs, which he ate a whole bag of. He did not enjoy the tube ride, which lasted only a few seconds! Further, once he got back on the boat, Toots placed all the guilt and blame on me by telling Jack that "Daddy made you do it!", all while consoling him and drying his tears. Nevertheless, both were brave and did it. Both were also very excited to get back in the hot tub.

Other highlights of Bear lake include smoothies from CC, late-night hot tubbing, an FHE around the fire pit, Scattegory arguments, Curtis as a chef, CC holding G, and the arrival of the Froot Loop bandit. Definitely a fantastic time for all involved!! Thanks Pops and CC for hooking up the place!