Fingerlakes vacation

On short notice we got a place at the finger lakes, so beautiful

All the boys learned to Kayak, Will became an expert

Z on his first run in the kayak

Family go-carting, mom wins first round, then is beaten by her guys (OK, had to prove dominance first before letting them beat me...hmm, what kind of mom does that?)

Seneca Falls hike with 19 waterfalls

Will explores a stream

This was a different hike with a waterfall you could swim under

Boys had as much fun skipping rocks as swimming

Family fun at the waterfall, Z in particular

Searching for the perfect rock

We did a driving wine tour around Seneca lake

So hard to get a pic with everyone happy, eyes open, and focused!

Dad and guys at Seneca falls

We spent much of our time on the water

When we weren't on the water, the guys (ahem, not me) spent most of the time fishing

Nothing like a hot cup of coffee on an overcast day which calls for a fleece in August

Hanging out by the lake (did I mention I LOVE the fleece weather?)

Since we were behind a waterfall, Mike insisted on quoting Hawkeye from our favorite movie "Last of the Mohicans": "You be strong, you survive, you stay alive, no matter what occurs! I will find you, no matter how long it takes, no matter how far, I will find you!" (OK, I did swoon a bit, but only a few seconds, it was very wet back there!)

Did I mention we spent lots of time on the water? There was lots of competition and many attempts to tip each other over (boys will be boys)

Jake does the victory dance when we win a race to the dock

The first day fishing we used fake bait to no avail

They persevered with no luck, but it was fun regardless

I started on a tranquil lake and got caught in a thunderstorm far from shore, paddling against the wind/waves and the wakes of motor boats trying to get to shore...felt very lucky that I didn't get struck by lightning!

Real worms made all the difference!

Will was the servant, spent most of his time untangling lines and baiting the hooks

Such concentration

First fish, followed by at least 20 more, who knew fish preferred live worms to plastic?

Seneca lake dock, Dad: "close your eyes and open on count of 3!"

Jake and Z feeling very grown up because their grape juice looks like wine

Great breakfast before a hike

View from our dock, we will remember it as one of our best vacations, and will DEFINITELY go back...to the same house. What a dream it was.