This Memorial Day I actually FELT like we had a holiday. Maybe it is because I have spent so many years slaving/working on holidays during my retail career--even a holiday day off never really feels like a holiday. But this year I am so close to the finish line that I FELT like it was a holiday. It didn't hurt that the stars and moon aligned and Josh actually had the day off too (he still had to work that NIGHT, but hey--we had a good 12 hours together!) This almost never happens except on the religious holidays--and not always even those. So it was a rare treat to all be off together. It was made nicer by the pleasant weather and the fact that Scott and Jenn had a boat at Lake
Ouachita in Hot Springs. I miss camping/boating--it was always something we enjoyed as kids, and I'm glad we are finally able to find the time to devote to it again. And Lake
Ouachita is beautiful and serene--we barely saw many other boaters and were really able to relax and enjoy the day. Some of us more than others....here is Alex all tuckered out after a few hours in the sun...glad he was able to catch a nap and recharge for round two after lunch!
Lucas was very apprehensive about going to the lake. He worried about it and had a million questions the night before; mainly, would there be any sharks or whales? This does not bode well for our beach trip in a few weeks, but for now he seemed to understand that no fierce creatures live in the lake....that I know of anyway! Once we got on the boat he was nervous about jumping in the water and needed his typical warm-up period. But five hours later we had to threaten to pull him out, so he found his groove. He
particularly liked Uncle Scott throwing him in and then doing the Scott whale jump (and pretty much anything else that involved big splashes).
Alex enjoyed the water too and I fear by next summer we will have two total fishes on our hands. I tried to swim, but found it difficult to lug my big belly on and off the boat...so mostly I just enjoyed the atmosphere and scenery and ate lots of lake food. (Ever notice how sandwiches,
Doritos, and canned drinks are ten thousand times better at the lake? Or is that just me?) Here was the pretty view of the lake:
And here is Lucas driving with daddy. He cracked us all up with his dance moves on the bow of the boat. That kid is as spunky and sassy as they come!
And Scott and Jenn. We all got a good chuckle because Jenn was just as concerned about the water as Lucas...Maybe we will help turn her into a fish soon too!
For Josh's graduation my mother spent months planning a wonderful "Hats Off" party. Sadly, she and my father were unable to attend due to his illness (in case you didn't know--he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer). But it was really important to my mother that we continue to celebrate Josh's special day, so my aunt came in her stead, bringing much of the food and decorations. It was awesome of them both to do so much for Josh. The party was fabulous--with the "hats" theme, guests were invited to wear their favorite hat and we had some really fun ones. Mom carried the theme throughout the party, serving the huge spread of food in assorted hats or with hat decorations near by, including some pictured below:
After stuffing and drinking ourselves silly we headed outside where we officially threw our hats up in the air to celebrate for Josh. Mom also had a special letter that Scott read out loud recapping the ups and downs of his journey through medical school and residency. (Warning--the pic below taken with my "crappy" camera, so the quality is not so good..I don't have the right lens to take shots of people throwing hats into the air...something for the Christmas list no doubt!)
We really enjoyed hanging out with all our friends and family and want to say thank you again to mom and aunt Mary for this fabu party. It was a special time and it makes me sad to know my parents couldn't be there. Or Josh's mom. But I know they were with us in spirit--and Josh's mother is looking down from heaven saying "Hell yes, that's MY son, the doctor!" 
