Cagle Mills Lake - August 16

Neta - the proud architect!

Eric went to Alabama for his nephew's wedding, so we took the opportunity to go to Cagle Mill Lake. I wanted to go to Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, but when I looked at the weather I wasn't sure it was going to cooperate and I didn't want to drive three hours to play in a lake if we were going to get rained out. Cagle Mills Lake / Lieberman State Recreational Area is only 45 minutes away. I figured that was a better use of time and gas.

It rained on the way there, and was cloudy when we first got there, but then turned into a fairly good day on the lake. Here are a variety of pictures that were taken of the day.

Xela wrapped in her towel,
walking toward the lake.

I think that is Nate wading in the lakeshore.

Girls splashing in the waves.

Neta liked to jump over the waves.
Others just have fun doing whatever comes to mind.

Water brings out the smiles in the Scotts.

Aurora chasing the BIG ball from
"Grandma" Cartwright.

Splish, splashing together in the water.

Ball time!

They attempt to play a game.
Can't remember if it worked or not.

Volley!

Building a sand fortress.

Xela's waterfront property, under construction.

Nate and Neta attempting to make hand prints.
The waves successfully erasing them faster than N&N want.

Sand castles!

If you look close, you can see
the immensity of the boys' creation.

Nate found a triangular shaped rock and called it the titanic.
The Titanic is carving out its path. 

Ta-dah! Ro's castle is complete!

Graigry adding a mote to his fortress.

It was around 2:00 when the kids decided
that they were hungry. I had packed makings for sandwiches.
We made sandwiches, had chips, grapes and cucumbers.

Aurora attempting to deflate the ball
that I had spent 20-30 minutes blowing up.
That ball was LARGE and
took A LOT of breath to inflate.

When we were here a few years ago, we took a picture similar to this one. I can't remember if I suggested it or one of the kids, but we took an updated picture:

We played a few minutes longer after lunch and left around four o'clock for home.

Graigry & Nate turned Neta
into a Sand-maid.
You can kind of make our the tail.

There was still Saturday night prep to complete in preparation for Sunday church. We were able to spend time as a family, in the pursuit of "wholesome recreational activities" (see The Family, Proclamation to the World) and got some things done for Graigry's Webelos Traveler Activity Badge.

Have I mentioned that I enjoy very much making memories and playing with the kids? I want them to have good memories of their childhood and know that, even though I had to work and couldn't be home with them as much as I wanted, I love them and want them to be valiant in their beliefs and defender of each other.