Back in the Saddle...

We are all back in the saddle and the kids are thankful.  Their dad is back and they are relieved to not here the work "No" quite so much.   The lake in town began freezing about 14 days ago.  The kids have been asking me to take them out on the lake to skate and sled.  I refuse!!  I would remind them that this born and bred desert rat does not do frozen lakes.  I wasn't raised around frozen lakes and I have seen those shows on television.  You know the ones where the ice breaks, the kids fall in and fireman are on their bellies inching out on the ice to save the kids and not fall in themselves.   I never stepped foot on a frozen lake in Kodiak, Cape Cod or here.  I think its crazy and dangerous.  The thought makes me stomach turn.  Trav took the kids out onto frozen lakes on the Cape.  I was terrified and stayed on shore just in case an emergency arose and I needed to rush off for help.  

Yesterday after we all got up and moving, Trav agreed to take the kids out on the frozen lake.  I was actually comfortable with the idea until we go to the lake.  Travi of course has no sense and charged out on the ice without even contemplating that if the ice cracked he could die.  Taylor and I stood on the shore watching with hesitation.  Trav followed Travi and my stomach was in knots.  

Taylor eventually warmed up to the idea after watching about 100 other people have fun and scream with excitement. She headed out towards the middle.   I of course still hovered close to the edge, thinking if something happened I could scream for help. So I stood, watching my family, surveying the ice for cracks and weaknesses.   Did you know that a frozen lake makes noises?  I did not...That lake made noise.  It scared the shit out of me.  So as I am standing on the edge, trying to creep out towards my family the ice is making a god awful noice that sounds like an echoing, radiating crack.  Not to mention the ice also moves.  A friend creeped over and reassured me the ice was safe and was roughly 4-5 inches thick.  I was not completely convinced but did evenutally get out far enough to take some pictures of my courageous, fearless bunch who proceeded to call me a chicken.  Remember I said...I'm a bit of a worry wart.  I was definitely worried!!

 Frozen Bubbles!!

The highlight of this excursion for me was getting off the ice and heading to the coffee shop for hot cocoa and lattes.