Palm Lake Vacation

So, I was looking for a family reunion vacation rental for Jason’s family when I happened to find this little gem – Palm Lake Retreat.  Our dream home!  Jason and I would both absolutely love to live on a waterski lake – especially a private one.  So, when we found this place only 30 minutes from our house, we were so excited.  Our dream home - available for rent!  We immediately rallied the Davis family and booked a trip only two months following, in August, with high hopes.  It definitely met our expectations and more!

This 5 bedroom home is on a private lake with our own water ski course (we won’t be doing that again – see why here).   The retreat has a pool with waterslide and diving board, hot tub, fire pit, volleyball court, one mile paved course around the lake for running, a two story lake cabana, a race track for bikes and two play houses for the kids. 

We spent our days swimming, exploring, running, soaking up the sun, shooting our sling shot, riding scooters, playing games, napping, playing on the boat and eating some tasty food.  We had an absolute blast and I think this will be an annual Davis family vacation – next year’s vacation is already booked.

 

 

 

 

Dawson improved so much at wakeboarding.  He learned how to wakeboard a couple weeks before our trip.  By the end of the vacation, he was so comfortable, you would never know he just learned.  He could stay up for 20 minutes at a time, make the tight turns with ease, cross the wake on both sides and even started jumping and getting a couple feet of air!

 

Taya is so fun on the easy ski.  She loves to dance.  Dawson wanted to try slalom skiing, so we got him some new skis.  He was able to just barely get up, but he couldn’t stay up.  Maybe next year…

 

Everyone loved the kayaks, paddleboats and go cart track.  We raced around on our bikes and scooters.

 

 

We compared this vacation to house boating – but it is SO much safer for the kids.  They had a blast and we never worried about their safety.  Some stray cats set up camp while we were there and they were instant entertainment for the kids.  Taya cried when we had to leave them.

 

 

Making smores – yum!

 

Look at that – Perfect glass to ski on 100% of the time.  Love it!

 

 

September Milestones

CAPRI

Our little Capri is growing WAY too fast.  She is now five months old and has started rolling over, eating solids and playing in her exersaucer.  She also loves eating her toes and hanging out in the bumbo while chewing on Sophie the giraffe.  She is perfect in every way and a true joy in our lives.  We call her “sunshine” because she brightens our day.  I wish I could freeze her in time and keep her this age.  I love it!

 

HOLDEN 

Holden is finally potty trained.  Hallelujah!!!!!  I seriously thought it would never happen.  We have been potty training off and on for 9 months and I have been SO frustrated.  But, we decided to give it another try so he could be potty trained for preschool.  I used the 3daypottytraining.com  method and it worked!  It was a huge commitment and we went potty about 60 times in 3 days, but it worked and gave him more control so we weren’t having a power struggle.  Yay! 

Holden also has been venturing out and trying new foods.  He is VERY picky and has a very limited menu.  So, we have been thrilled that he has added cutie oranges and turkey pesto sandwiches on wheat bread as a regular on his menu.  And tonight he even ate pumpkin pie – shocker!

 

TAYA

Taya learned how to ride a bike without training wheels.  She finally tried when we bribed her with a prize and she learned within 20 minutes!  She also started Girl Scouts, which has been so exciting for her.  She loves it and gets giddy for every meeting.

  

DAWSON

Dawson bought himself a pogo stick and learned how to jump pretty quick.  He is amazing – stairs, no hands and 1,300 jumps in a row without falling.  This kid has balance!

Dawson conquering stairs on the pogo stick.