Boat

I believe most of you know that last fall we bought a boat. It's a 1998 Searay, which we got a smokin' deal on, but needed a new engine. ....Enter: Joe! Man, I love a guy who can work with his hands!!! In March and April, we spent a few weekends in Spokane (where the boat was being stored). Joe, my dad (seriously could not get through life without him!) and our friend Dave Webb, who is a mechanic, put a whole new engine in it!

There were some setbacks (darn you, motor manufacturer and your crappy head gasket!), but we have successfully taken the boat out on the Columbia River three times now!!

Daddy and Ben driving

This is Maddie's "spot," she informs me. She also informs me that *my* Lion King towel (from the original release) is no longer mine...it is hers.

The ship's crew :) Poor Ben! He just doesn't do well with change. The boat is really loud when you start it out of the water, so he was sure it was in the water too. Today, on our third outing, he FINALLY put his hands down and realized it's not so bad. Now, I can barely contain him in the darn thing!

On the second run we thought we'd add to the excitement and bring Hammie. Just a boy and his dog, hanging out :)

Hammie also could not be contained...and we didn't stop her! She just jumped right in! Notice that her head is completely under water? Yeah, I don't think she was expecting that.

She started paddling like her life depended on it, and headed back for the boat. Joe graciously helped her back in.

She thanked him by shaking on him ;) After that, she wanted to jump in, but would stop herself just before she dove. I think we'll try taking her again when we can go to a beach and she can get out and run around.

It has been a long standing dream of Joe's to own a boat. Every step of the way, we've gotten SO lucky. The boat is BEYOND beautiful, especially for what we paid for it. Joe got a great deal (even with the crappy head gasket) on the engine. My dad and Joe were able to do 95% of the work themselves, and saved us a ton in labor costs. Now it runs like a dream!

The kids (and big kids ;) are enjoying every second on the river! Money is tight these days, no doubt. But it sure is nice to have a free (minus gas) way to beat the heat, get away from the stress, and just enjoy being a family. I think this boat will serve us well for many years to come :)