FLOAT-ish

many years ago 4 girls and two boys set out on a random weekend at the NRO campsite. we drank, we ate, we camped and we floated. we loved it and vowed to return the next year.

and we did. and we kept going back. until last year. things just got too busy. and we vowed that this year we wouldn’t let it get away from us. so i took on planning, then christina took over. and then the people at the campsite (we were going to try a new river this year) never answered the phone.

a few years ago we had talked about maybe renting a house boat, or a cabin and a boat for a day, as we are getting older, have more money and less patience for drunk 22 year olds. so, when time was approaching to make some final decisions, b and i having a lake house came into play. we all decided that since we all ready had the weekend designated for friend time, we were going to use it! we tried to rent a pontoon, but were too late in the game. it didn’t matter. there was still plenty of fun to be had, and 100+ degree temps are one thing that will keep this girl from camping.

nick and chris arrived around 2:30 and we all had our first adult beverages of the day. when we painted the living room on thursday night we had thrown some options on the kitchen wall too, and so somehow we all decided to paint the kitchen. a little before 5:00, kelly, mo and brad showed up and helped us to finish out the job. from there we went to the deck, which was bearable thanks to a quick rain shower. brad and nick made spaghetti for dinner, with garlic cheese bread and nick’s fabulous zucchini boats. shortly after we were done eating jill and brandon showed up. and then we got after it.

there were some drinks. and some deck sitting. and some dance central.

eventually we all made our way to bed. it was the first time we have had a full house and it felt great!

morning came around 9:00 and christina and i headed out to get bacon, OJ and ice for the coolers. when we got back we sent some of the boys to deal with the boat and the rest of us stayed at the house. we made breakfast burritos to go for the guys and ate ours at the house. kelly managed the construction of lots and lots of pb&j and turkey & cheese sandwiches. people began filling coolers with beer and kelly started mixing cocktails by the jug, to then be put into various plastic bottles (i so wish we had a pic of this). once everything was all packed up we headed down to the water.

first we went on a boat ride and almost everyone tried their hand at wake boarding. then we headed back to the dock for sandwiches, swimming, and the switch-over from beer to cocktails. brad, bryce and nick went out for a little man time and then picked up jill and did some wake-surfing. the rest of us marinated in the sun and the water and had way too much fun.

eventually it was time to head back home. we had tacos and a cucumber salad for dinner.  then most of us retired to the deck. mo and i laid down to look at the stars. jilly went to bed early. the rest of us stayed up for quite a while talking and laughing and telling ridiculous stories. there was no campfire, but the conversation was as good as ever.

sunday morning we all slept in, except kel, brad and bryce, who got up at 7:00 to wakeboard.

yeah right. i slept until almost 10. jill was up earlier, we woke mo up (she was sleeping in the living room, sorry mo!) and by the time the crazies got back from boarding, the rest were up too. after a veggie scramble and fruit salad, nick and chris hit the road. the rest of us vegged out for a while and watched a movie. then everyone loaded up and we followed them into town for dinner.

and then they left 😦

i miss you friends!! thanks so much for coming down and spending your weekend with us. i wish i could have the best of both worlds (lake living and all my people), but i know that is greedy. i will take the time that i am given and treasure it until i see you all again.

love.love.love.