First Boating Trip of the Year!

This past weekend we went to our lake house.  Have I mentioned how much I love it there at the lake?  It is so peaceful to look out upon the water in the mornings, sipping a steaming cup of coffee.   And I especially like it when the weather permits us to go for a ride on our pontoon.  It was one of those days on Saturday and we threw on life vests, light jackets, sunshades and hats and headed down the river toward downtown Natchitoches.  I call Natchitoches (http://www.natchitoches.net/events-and-festivals/ ) the town of a million festivals because it seems that there is always one going on in this historic town.  This particular weekend was the annual Bloomin' on the Bricks Festival.  All of the flowers are beginning to bloom and various potted plants have been placed along the brick streets, while vendors are set up selling their wares.  We pretty much know that springtime is here when this festival comes around.

                                With Robby at the helm, we set out for downtown Natchitoches.

                                                 Mimi and Poppa came up for the day too.

We stopped along the way and picked up Sarah and Parker Ann at a neighbor's dock.  Parker was SO excited to be going on the first boat ride of the spring!  I must admit that her excitement was contagious and I was super excited to be going on this outing too!

      And what's a boating trip without Poppi letting Parker Ann help him drive the boat?!

                       We were greeted by these beautiful daffodils where we docked our boat.

And as we were tying the boat up, Parker ran over to a bench where I snapped a few photos of her...

                                         And then I got Poppi to snap one of Parker with me...

                                                   Then off to the festival we went...

                                                     Where Parker got herself a balloon!

      Don't you remember when playing with a balloon was the most fun thing in the world?!

And then I spotted this Easter mural that was set up for kids to color.  Of course, we had to put our mark on it!

                                                 And the Book Mobile was there too!

Parker Ann has inherited my love for books and I don't know about you, but I think the Book Mobile is just about the coolest thing around!

                          And we saw the carriages out that day giving rides too.                           

                                 

                                            We stopped at a local dive for some lunch...

                                                   And later for some yummy ice cream!

                         And we couldn't go home before we made a stop at the toy store.

And after a day of springtime fun, we loaded back on the pontoon for a leisurely trip back home.  It was a great weekend, this first outing of spring on the lake.  YAY for warmer temperatures...I hope they are here to stay!