Monday morning, although not all that early, I decided to take the kids miniature golfing. The resort we were staying at had a little course and only NIcholas has ever gone. We told Steven we were going and he decided to bring his two oldest boys as well. We all drove down together in our car and as I was backing out, I ran into the mailbox. More exactly, the wooden post the mailbox was attached to. I was going very slowly, and I stopped immediately, but apparently, that was some seriously strong wood, because it left quite a dent in the rental car. Good thing we got the insurance!
We continued on, without further incident, to the clubhouse where we were all given our clubs and the kids got to pick out their golf balls. I have seriously never seen so many different colored golf balls before. Red, green, light blue, dark blue, purple, yellow, black, orange and pink. Every one was happy, they all got their favorite colors. Then we decided to split up the kids. Steven took my three oldest, and I took his two and Noah. This way the different families could get to know each other a little better.
The kids were having a great time at first, hitting the ball all over the place, except for Sam, who beat the pants off me. But there were people in front of us, and sometimes we had to stand and wait our turn, while the sun kept beating down on us. Did I mention we were in North Carolina in August? It was hot and humid, and the kids kept asking if we had brought water. Uh, no, that would have been a good idea, though. There was a drinking fountain in the clubhouse, but it wasn't as handy as a bottle of water. We took a nice long bathroom break in the air conditioned building, and then headed back out to finish up our 18 holes.
There was a bit of excitement, Sophie, Steven, and I believe, Sam all got holes in one. Also several balls fell into the water traps, but Steven managed to fish them out with his long reach. (Probably all that study of exactly how the human wrist moves also gave him an advantage on how to angle the club just right to use it to pop the ball right out of the water) There was even a cute little bridge to walk on over one of the little rivers. But all that excitement couldn't overcome the heat. We should have started at least an hour earlier. My crew gave out on the 16th hole, and we ended up sitting in the air conditioned car while the other group finished up.
When we got back, we found out that the other cousins had come over just as we left and were sad they didn't get to come with us. That made me feel really bad that I hadn't thought to call them first. Oma took some of the older grandkids out on one of the canoes and they ended up having quite the adventure. Not many of them knew how to row properly, so they spent a good deal of time going around in circles. Then they figured it out, but only in a backwards direction! She decided to use what she had and row backwards across the lake to the other house where David/Liz and family were staying. Unfortunately, the canoe began to take on water before they got there. Sarah freaked out and pretty much screamed that they were all going to drown until they arrived at David's. After that shocker, she refused to get back in the canoe and David very kindly drove her over in the car, even though it meant going the long way around. While Oma was going from one canoe to the other, she lost her balance and fell in the lake. It wasn't very deep, and she didn't want to scare the kids so she made sure to smile and laugh the whole time. Everyone needed a change of clothes as there ended up being quite a bit of water in the canoe, but they had a great time, except for Sarah. Nick will always remember the canoe ride with Oma.
We had planned to have a talent show for Family Home evening, but Chris and I went shopping in Hendersonville that afternoon and didn't get back until it was too late for that. We needed clothes for the family photos the next day, and then we just HAD to stop at Krispy Kreme and pick up a snack. Yes, for dinner that night I ate a pint of Ben and Jerry's New York Super Fudge Chunk in the car on the way home and topped it off with an original glazed KK. I just love vacations in America.
After all the kids had gone to bed, Marcie broke out her pillowcase full of games and taught Cristie and I how to play the Bean game. We may have also played something else, but sadly, I can't remember now. I do know that we stayed up until 2 am talking and laughing and sharing stories. That is always my favorite part of any get together, the hanging out and talking. Even as a youngster, I remember loving to hang out wherever the adults were gathered at Grandma Walker's house to listen to them talking and laughing with each other. Especially my mom and Aunt Sandy. No one could make my mom laugh like Aunt Sandy. Man, I miss that.
Anyway, it was a great way to end the evening (and begin the next morning). Especially since my children had lots of friends to play with so I could actually sleep in the next morning. Woohoo!