Ruttger's Bay Lake Resort Family Reunion

Last weekend, we went on our 2nd annual family trip to Ruttger's Bay Lake Resort for a really fun weekend together.  Kevin, Keng, and Owen flew in from California to join in the fun and our across-the-street neighbors from when I was a kid and our really good family friends, Tim and Angie Casey drove up from Iowa for the weekend!  We had a blast!

We arrived Friday afternoon and got settled in and ready to head out on the boat.  Unfortunately, there were some delays with getting the boat in the water.  The DNR inspector at the boat launch found some small bits of zebra mussels on the boat motor and wouldn't let the boat go in the water until it was cleaned by a specific decontamination site (which had nobody there when dad brought the boat there as directed).  It was frustrating for dad and Brian, who ran around trying to get the issue resolved, but the kids had fun doing other stuff anyway.

Candyland with Uncle Kevin!

Then off to the pool...

Sarah was so excited to kick her feet in the water.

Swimming with Mommy.

Austin loved jumping right in.

Daddy got a workout throwing Austin around the pool.

Then we hung out on the patio of our condo/cabin while the kids enjoyed some loaded water guns!

Kevin and Owen enjoyed their bottles.

After dinner we got to celebrate Keng's birthday with special cakes mom brought.  The kids helped Auntie Keng blow out the candles.

Uncle Brian got to meet Owen for the first time on this trip, since he wasn't able to go with us to Chicago for Grandpa's birthday party when we got to meet Owen.

On Saturday, Brian and Dad got up early and got the zebra mussel issue resolved and got the boat in the water while Kevin and Steve picked up the jet ski.  Then we hit the water...

Sarah was excited to get on the boat.

The Captain!

Brian started us off on the water skis.

Full of smiles.

Austin stayed on the jet ski the whole day again (just like last year) except for the last 15 minutes or so when he just tired out.

Austin and Uncle Kevin started out on the jet ski.

The jet ski riders jumped the wake of the boat and followed along with the skiers.   Check out Brian skiing and the jet ski in the background.

Sarah even went tubing!  What a huge change from earlier this summer when she was scared of the boat and insisted I hold her the whole time she was on the boat.  Sarah went tubing with Nanny and Auntie Michelle and had lots of fun.

We got Keng out on the boat.

 And Tim and Angie too.

More jet skiing - this time with Daddy.

Kevin got to show off his skiing skills too.

 Michelle's turn.

Auntie Keng joined Kevin and Austin on the jet ski for while too!

Great photo of Michelle and Brian.

Time to return the jet ski.

Snuggle time with Owen back at the cabin.

Saturday night, we had a campfire and roasted marshmallows to make s'mores.  The kids had a blast running around outside well after their normal bedtime.

They giggled like crazy when Uncle Brian jumped out from behind a tree to "scare" them.

Then they joined in the peek-a-boo and found it hilarious every time they jumped out at us.

A look at how big I'm getting...I was 35 3/7 weeks along at this point.

 Mmmmmm....s'mores!

Sunday morning, we got to Skype with Jenny in Switzerland since she couldn't join us for the weekend.  It was great to see her, even if only electronically!

Owen saying hi on the webcam.

Austin got to hold Owen for a bit...this lasted about 30 seconds before Owen fussed about it.

Heading out for our last day on the lake.

 Brian showing off by holding the rope with one hand behind his leg.

 Sarah driving the boat with Grandpa.

 Swimming time!

 Austin enjoyed getting thrown off the boat.

 And swimming with Daddy.

 A bit more skiing...

 And a last tube ride...

 Then we were all tuckered out.

Despite the noise of the boat engine, the bumps on the water, and the wind and sun, Sarah just laid down on my chest and went to sleep.  She was just "out of gas."

After a very late "lunch" around 5pm, we treated the kids to some ice cream, then headed home.  Austin fell asleep within 2 minutes of getting in the car, but Sarah chattered, fussed, and played the whole way home.

We had a wonderful weekend with family!  Thanks to Mom and Dad for such a great gift.  Time together is worth more than any other gift we could imagine.