Birthdays and Boating

Friday night we had a birthday party at my parents' house for Chris, my grandma and my uncle Dennis. It was fun to get to see everybody again! We had great food and my grandma's favorite banana cake. I hadn't had it in years and I forgot how really good it is!

We all spent the night down there and went out this morning on the maiden voyage of Dad and Mom's new boat. Well, their new old boat. Dad got lots of work done this winter and she was ready to go. And God provided a PERFECT day to do it! It was sunny and warm, and a little windy. But hey, it is February after all.

she's in the water

Captain Grandpa

Will's getting his sea legs

It was so much fun to be out on the river. We can't wait to take her out this summer and spend the night on the boat and swim off the deck. It will be so much fun!!!!

Captain Will

enjoying the view of the blue sky

making lunch in the galley

We had a bit of trouble with the fuel pump on the motor which required a trip back home for a new fuel line and a slow trip back to the boat landing with the trolling motor. It was a little rough (you can tell if you watch the video) but that just makes it an adventure! But if we had sped by we would have missed seeing a sight that we had never seen before on the Columbia and may not see again.

comin' in slow

A HUGE sea lion was just ahead of our boat, bobbing in and out of the water. As we were making our way back to the landing we noticed him coming up in the middle of a flock of seagulls. As we got closer we saw that he had a gull in his mouth and was taking it under the water and then bringing it up and shaking it back and forth. The other seagulls were diving in and pecking at him as he surfaced. It was a pretty cool sight and not something you would see every day! I am hoping my brother was able to get a good movie of it.

heading home

Thanks for the cruise Captain Grandpa and First Mate Grandma! We had a great time! She's a beautiful boat!