This summer we spent a lot of time in the pool because it was so HOT! Haley loved it. It was truly the only thing that kept her from fussing in the evening. And now she sits up so well in the baby boat and Nat loves to jump off of the deck. I have some pictures to share later and pictures from other summer activities but for now, I'll share pictures from our summer vacation.
This year we did something a little different. Typically we spend the week at the beach. However, when we went to book our favorite beach house, it was booked. Disappointed, because it was perfect with a sunroom for Nat and Hannah to escape adult company for board games, Nintendo DS and Wii and had the perfect dock for crabbing for the kids, I decided to look for something else. Not to mention, we were tired of dragging so much stuff from the truck to the beach (tent, umbrellas, chairs, cooler, towels, diapers, bottles, fishing gear, beach toys) that it was no longer feeling like a vacation.
In talking with a few people who mentioned Deep Creek Lake in Maryland, I decided to do a little research. Liking what we saw, we decided to give it a try. So glad we did! It was 10-15 degrees cooler because of the lake and mountains. Perfect for Haley! We were wanting to go to relax and having a house right on the lake and not having to pack up a day's worth of gear. Priceless!
So, on July 3rd, we departed the heat of PA and enjoyed the cool lakeside relaxation to be had at Deep Creek.
The Cabin
and the inside...
Dockside
It was here that we spent nearly every afternoon and evening... swimming, relaxing, boating, skiing, tubing, canoeing, chatting, laughing...
This was Haley on July 4th hanging out by the dock... The hat was Nathaniel's on his first 4th of July.
Haley giving the cool waters of the lake a try. I love her expression!
Jim showing off his stuff! Not bad considering he's 44! The kids were impressed.
The kids first tubing experience... and the first lesson should have been one of getting on the tube and after several laughs, we pulled the tube into the boat and let them jump on from the boat. And then the fun began... And I will admit, I have not laughed so hard in such a long time.
We had a floating dock and were situated on a long inlet where everyone came to ski and tube. Haley loved sitting on the dock as it bounced up and down with the waves.
And everything was shaded too. Here she is enjoying an afternoon nap in the wagon.
During the evenings, it was calm enough to take the canoe out on the lake. With the boat still docked, we'd go sit in it and enjoy the rocking motion of the water. Haley enjoyed this too.
One of the reasons it takes me so long to post is the processing of pictures. Generally I sharpen them some, brighten the colors, bump up the contrast... It gives me practice and does really enhance the pictures. All of the pros do this and sometimes when you've messed up, it gives you the chance to still save the moment.
For instance, as they were coming across the lake, I shot a few and had some of them overexposed, so with a little help in Photoshop, I was able to save it. With a different crop and some darkening and other minor edits, a bad shot can become something worth saving.
before the edit...
after the edit...
Jim, my niece and my sister
Jim caught a fish one evening on his way back to the dock while trolling with his line out behind the canoe.
Momma mallard and two of her little ducklings... Nat took bread down to feed to the ducks that came into our dock.
Jim and I went out fishing before sunrise on three of the mornings together. We saw this beautiful sunrise two of the mornings. The first I didn't have my camera (and Jim caught a 19 in. largemouth bass too) and the second morning I went prepared and the sun came up exactly the same way. I loved how visible the rays of light were coming through the sky.
On another morning, it was very foggy and the camera was calling my name. I would cast a couple of times and then grab the camera to capture the fog rising off the water, as Jim shot me that glance that says "Do you have to bring that camera everywhere?" It makes me happy... what can I say?
The sunrise picture above received an Honorable Mention and the foggy morning one below received a Third Place on a small blog photo contest for Deep Creek. I'm satisfied and Nathaniel is getting a free coaster ride when we go back out in a few weeks.
before editting...
after editting...
And this little fellow was a passenger on our boat one morning. It crawled out of the trolling motor one morning as Jim was running it. We learned later that day that it was a fishing spider because they're found in and around lakes. We just had to take it back to the cabin to show everyone else because of the size of it.
The sun coming through the leaves behind our cabin one morning.
Mornings fishing and hiking, afternoons sitting by the dock and boating, evenings by the dock and canoeing and smores and drinks by the fire...What's not to like?
Oh, and we did take Nat and Hannah out on the boat to see the fireworks. I was trying a new technique to get fireworks photos but due to the bouncing of the boat and lack of a tripod it didn't work out as hoped. Later in the summer, I was successful and got these with a tripod.
Swallow Falls State Park
We did take one day and visit a nearby state park with several waterfalls. It was a beautiful place.
Other vacation moments
Yes, Haley is small but she can still put away a can of spaghetti and meatballs. She has quite the appetite. And WHS parents, there has been talk about the tube again with the neuro in August, so once we sort out our thoughts on the matter, I may be seeking your advice about developmental benefits.
Haley taking it easy with Aunt Stacey...
My sister Erin and niece Hannah...
Nathaniel and Haley
Erin sharing a little helpful hint with me...
And yes, I am a perfectionist, always have been and hope to not always be one. It is oftentimes miserable for me and everyone around me. It does take much of the joy and spontaniety out of life but I'm working on that...
So often when I'm searching for the "why was Haley born with Wolf-Hirschhorn?", I'm reminded that though she was given what some would say is an imperfect body and developmental issues, she shows us daily that the simple things and love are truly what matters. She is my messenger from above that perfection is indeed overrated.
