Indian Lake 2012

So for any of my friends or family that wondered if I would ever blog again you will be in for a treat this time. Blogger has been updated for quite a while and we have had an Apple computer for a few months but tonight I found out how well the 2 work together to expedite posting photos to this blog! I look forward to using this new found knowledge to back-post several posts with ease :) 

This year after the big trip to Japan we didn't think we would have another vacation outside of a beach week. Well after looking at our schedules and re-looking at the time away we found we could get a trip to Indian Lake in before summer's end. We had not been for 2 years and really wanted to visit with the family that would be there as well as enjoy the place that is Indian Lake. This property was originally purchased by Brent's great-great-great aunts so you can tell it has been in the family for quite some time. It holds a special place in Brent's heart for all the time he spent there growing up and I have come to appreciate it as well in many trips I have made. It is wonderful to be able to create memories with our kids there as well! We first attempted the trip as scheduled only to find ourselves turning around after my being diagnosed with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Sam developing fifths disease. Although we were frustrated by our first attempt we were determined to try again. So instead of the beach week we did take 2 of the Indian Lake trip. The kids were champs! We drove straight through on there - 14.5 hours and not one meltdown! We absolutely love our van for trips like this - we have it packed such that the non-driver can get to the back to make lunches or entertain kids. We left so early on the drive up that we just plopped the kids in their carseats still in their pjs. 

I love this pic of Sam with his arms behind his head :) 

 We tried gum with the kids - Sam did pretty well - until he bored of actually chewing it :) We were unfortunately reminded that Sam gets carsick on windy roads. Next time we will try more gum.

 Our weather we pretty good the entire week. Most of the days were a mix of clouds and sun with spotty showers. The temps were considerably cooler than we left in NC which was a welcome break. Hannah had several favorite things to do as you will see. She has developed a fondness for posing.

 I love the light on the water - you might be able to see the sun peaking through on an island in the distance.

 Again one of Hannah's favorite activities was posing and here she is dancing and singing. She is fascinated with princesses and often pretends-play Ariel from the Little Mermaid. She assigns Sam as Flounder-boy or Prince Eric, Brent as King Triton and me as Sister since there is no mother in the movie.

 The water was pretty warm for Indian Lake but Sam prefers much warmer temps. In fact on the drive home he wanted to sit in the hot tub of the hotel where we were staying. We only let him stay in it for about 2 minutes so we didn't have a cooked little boy.

 Sam and Hannah both enjoyed playing with Legos when they weren't near the water (not sure how many kids have played with these - I am sure many have enjoyed them).

 Yes there is a motor on this boat (and a very nice and quiet newer motor at that) but it is also a rowboat that proved to be quite fun for the kids. Hannah wanted to see what she could do - she was surprisingly strong at it.

 Weeeeeeee

 Hannah, in addition to her posing, also has quite the penchant for directing. Here she asked to be photographed and I was instructed to make sure I got Uncle Mike in the background. You might be able to see that Hannah had not had fifths disease as I first thought - that is until Sam shared it with her - fortunately the rash (on her cheeks and arms) faded while we were in NY.

 Another of Hannah's favorite activities was laying on a towel on the rocks. She often asked for a towel to be folded as a pillow even. Don't you love the sky?!

 Another dancing demonstration.

 Sam had his own favorite activities - the greatest being rock-throwing. Good thing there were plenty of rocks! He did have to be redirected away from throwing rocks where countless individuals have cleared   - such as the picture below where we bring in boats.

 He also enjoyed the warm rocks.

 This proved to be a great spot to throw rocks. Aunt Wendy was smart as well to bring a pot down for target-throwing!

 I love this of Hannah looking out onto the water.

 And yes -she is sharp - spotted me taking pics and decided to pose again :)

 Sam and Hannah both learned the meaning of the word clamber - and put it into action often.

 "Hey look here" "No, no look here"

 "Oh yes, fascinating"

 So as you can see - another favored activity occurred with a thumb while lying on the towel :)

 Much time was enjoyed with Great Grammy! She celebrated her 94th birthday last March. The kids enjoyed talking with her, being read to by her and playing Kids Sequence with her!

 Brent's cousin Richard was up there - in fact because this was our second attempt we sort of crashed his time but he was very gracious about it. It was so fun to see him with the kids - he was great with them! They loved playing with him, throwing rocks with him (Sam) and being photographed by him (Hannah). He is a landscape architect in Maryland and on the side enjoys photography so Hannah thought she was something else when he broke out his special camera and he indulged her enjoyment of posing for the camera :) 

 Loved the light of the evening.

 A 2 fisted throw in progress.

 Richard at one point showed the kids how it was done - throwing in very large rocks. They loved it! Sam tried often to pick up these very large rocks but then went on to smaller - more manageable ones.

 Here you can see the rock in mid-flight.

 One of the larger rocks Sam managed.

 Too cute to pass up.

 Hannah enjoyed her fair share of rock throwing as well.

 Love this.

 A traditional hike in the Hubbell family is going up Baldie Mountain. It requires a trip across the lake and about 3/4 mile hike up to the top. We are proud of Hannah - she made it all the way up and all the way down without a single carry or wind-up.

 We are proud of Sam as well - he made it most of the way up without being carried! There will be a day when we have to run to keep up with them.

 Yea - we made it! Notice Sam's "Mad T-Rex face"and Hannah's pose.

 Taking a break from the hike.

 Hannah, I think, took these 3 photos.

 Richard did well considering the not-wanting-to-sit-still kiddos. He also used his fancy camera so maybe there is a better one after all.

 Hannah loved hiking and conversing with Richard.

 This kids enjoyed a lunch with Grammy on the lawn.

 Pure silliness.

 An attempt at a self portrait.

 On one of the calmer days you can see that the water is so clear.

 Hannah swam on the first day with myself and Uncle Mike but preferred this mode of enjoying the water since she said the water was too cold -ha ha.

 Daddy took each child to "Brent's Island". This is some evidence of Hannah's trip. Brent's Island is a small grouping of rocks on the other side of the lake from the house that Brent spent so much time on as a kid that the family started calling it his island. The kids thought this was especially neat.

 The next 3 pics are Hannah's handiwork.

 Hannah specifically requested this pose and Dad was a good sport.

 We enjoyed having a fire a couple of the nights. Hannah and Sam thought it was a bit too hot to stand close to initially though.

 But they enjoyed the rewards of their efforts. I wonder what Sam is thinking here.

 This was the last day which proved the best yet weather-wise - highs in the upper 70s, sunny skies and calm water.

 Sam tired himself out from a morning of rock-throwing and clambering and almost didn't make it up the stairs after lunch for his nap.

 Just chillin'

 Hannah ready for her nap.

 "Hey - Richard - wake up."

 Loved the sky.

 Uncle Mike left a couple of days after we arrived b/c he needed to get back to work. When he left he took Molly the cat and Wyatt the Sheltie. Chippie the chipmunk was much more adventurous after the Molly and Wyatt departed.

 Hannah eventually ventured back in the water on the last full day.

 These are from our last morning before we headed out. I just loved seeing Sam in this hoodie.

 Enjoying some last minute rock-throwing.

 I asked if they would sit together and they both dropped into posing while lying on the rocks - lol!

 This is for Aunt Alicia and Uncle Greg - I thought it would be fun to reproduce a pic like our niece and nephew had taken over a period of years to show their growth - this is the best I got. Better luck next time :)

 Do we have to go - we don't want to!

 But we had a great time!

 Sam was at times quote fascinated by this frog we found living in a small collection of water in the rocks. He insisted on saying "bye" to the frog.

 Saying goodbye to the water - until next time - before heading to the car.

 Tuckered out during our ride.

 Ha Ha - yes we will resort to all sorts of activities to occupy little ones on the long car ride home.

We broke the trip up on the way home and it was a great idea! We found a great deal on hotels.com and stayed at a Homewood Suites. The kids loved the pool, that they could watch tv in the bedroom and the yummy breakfast that included homemade Belgian waffles. 

We very much enjoyed our visit with Uncle Mike, Aunt Wendy, Richard, Grammy and Wyatt and Molly. We look forward to the next time.