Birthday Cruise

Happy Birthday to You

You're a hundred and two

You look like a sailor

And you smell like one too.

After graduating from college this spring, our oldest daughter moved home. We love her dearly but she has historically been high strung and high maintenance. Remembering past arguments over her messes, music, and hamster hours, we entered into this arrangement with fear and trepidation.

We have been surprised and blessed by how well things are going. She has calmly entered our lives and we enjoy having her with us. She's works hard and we're proud of her. She's still messy so we keep her bedroom door shut.

She's become a Dave Ramsey devotee and in an attempt to reduce college debt works seven days a week. Her main job is at a marina in nearby Bayfield, Wisconsin. A positive experience all the way around.

One of the job perks is people give her boat rides. A nice couple offered to take her and 10 friends on a cruise for her birthday. Since she hasn't lived here long enough to have 10 friends, she invited her family and a couple people from church.

Oh my, did we have fun! Gorgeous weather, beautiful boat, nice lunch, and a Mint Chocolate Ice Cream Cake. I've been itching to get out to the Apostle Islands ever since we moved here. We rode for awhile, then anchored the boat to eat and swim.

Sitting on the front of the boat looking towards Madeline Island

The marvels of modern technology. Keith got cell phone reception but had a hard time hearing over the boat's motor.

Amy's beak is tweaked because I made her wear a life jacket.

Disclaimer: Tina is drinking Cream Soda.

The family with Raspberry Island in background

Christina and her Daddy

Amy in an unusually calm moment being nice to our friend instead of picking on him like she usually does.

The family gets such a kick out of this shot. The boat started going faster so we grabbed the food to keep it from sliding off the table. Others are holding food items but you can't see them. So all that's shown is me guarding the shrimp.

The funnest place to be on a boat is up front. There is a technical name for the front - something like bow or stern - but the names won't stick in my brain's data bank. Keith and I enjoyed a few moments to ourselves.

Christina said this was her best birthday ever.

Not sure how we'll top this next year.

Happy 25th Birthday, Christina. We love you!!!