tubing on the creek

Two weeks ago on May 5 we were invited up to our friend's Marianne and Kenroy's place to hang out. We brought our swimsuits since they have Rapid Creek running through their backyard. Honestly, I didn't think the kids would do more than get their feet wet, but for only Ezra did that prove true. He prefers to throw rocks.

They had these heavy duty inner tubes that we used to float down the creek. Noah and Evie went first and then Samuel. Poor guy was unbalanced and didn't have a very good grip though...

He's about to fall off! He's not a swimmer yet and I was quite alarmed when he fell shortly after, but it was shallow enough that he just bounced right back up. Plus Terry was nearby.  

Thereafter daddy went with the littles in a bigger tube. 

Noah and Evie, mostly Evie, continued to use the purple tube. 

Much safer this way. 

Lazy river-like. 

The olders had a few turns in the big one as well.  

Noah had been sitting here in the middle of the creek when Ezra threw a rock and hit his head. I thought it was accidental but Noah was convinced it wasn't and was understandably mad for quite some time afterwards. Ezra can be so naughty! But I was struck by how grown up Noah looked out there. Maybe because he didn't have his glasses on? He is twelve now! 

It was an absolutely idyllic afternoon, 80 degrees with warm sun playing on the water. Ahhhh.  

More of that big boy. 

Ezra is fishing with his stick. 

I waded across the creek to try to get a different view. 

Panoramic view. 

Fun times!

Samuel liked to stay in the shallow water and catch the tubes :D 

Samuel trying to splash Daddy and Evie and I think he got Noah.  

I'd like living next to a creek. Maybe one not so deep since I'd worry constantly about the kids. But I just love moving water. 

Beautiful. 

The water wasn't quite as cold as our last foray at the beginning of April, but still, in South Dakota, it was definitely not warm. Evie insisted on going under though. Counting down...

"3...2...1!!!" 

There she goes! 

Crazy girl. She loved it. 

More lazy fishing. 

After nearly an hour and a half we went up onto the deck and the kids washed off, then got to soak in the hot tub while we made pizza. 

Seriously, this was a perfect afternoon and exactly what we all needed. We enjoyed it so much. 

Their view of the creek. I spent most of my time on those big boulders taking pictures. 

I love Marianne so much!!! 

We all had a fantastic time.

We got home and I was surprised to see that our apple tree had finally blossomed. It's skipped two years instead of what we thought was the usual one. Yay for apples! And yay for beautiful days with good company. :)