WE FINALLY DID IT!!

Well, after years and years of thinking, pondering, and looking on craigs list - we finally did it! We finally bit the bullet and did what Rick has been wanting to do for years and years! WE BOUGHT A BOAT!! I can hardly believe it myself, but nevertheless, we are absolutely thrilled and so excited for next summer to come! Rick has been looking for quite some time now for a boat in Texas. But couldn't find anything. He then broadended his horizons to Okalahoma and Arkansas, and still didn't find anything to his liking. So he felt like he should broaden further and take a peak in Arizona. Well, that is where his search came to an end. He found the boat he wanted!!! So over Labor Day weekend we spent the weekend driving to Arizona to pick up the boat. He and I left early Saturday morning - and after 17 hours arrived at his brothers house in Mesa. The trip did take a little longer than anticipated simply because we stopped to take a cruise down memory lane and visit the booming town of Las Cruces. Rick went to school at New Mexico State, so we drove around town for a bit. It was actually very fun seeing where he lived and hearing stories of all the things he was up to during college!

Sunday was the day to see the boat...we were very excited! We walked into the garage where the boat was being stored and loved it immediately. The people selling the boat were very nice and had taken great care of it. They were so nice and threw in extra supplies for us....wakeboards, wake surf board, skis, life jackets, rope, wet suits.....we were set!!!! Once we got the boat into the water there were a few hiccups....(which we won't go into) but when all was said and done, Rick was very excited. We woke up early Monday morning and headed back home with the boat in tow. It took us 19 hours to finally make it home and about 6 tanks of gas!! WOW - didn't really think about that :(

The kids were really excited to wake up Tuesday morning and see the boat parked in front of the house. The hiccups I referred to earlier were mostly taken care of last week, which meant we were able to get the boat on the water for the first time and enjoy it for part of the day last weekend. In his limited ability of showing emotions, I could tell Rick was pretty excited to get HIS boat out on the water!!!We had a great day! The kids enjoyed wakeboarding, and tubing.....Paige and Chase are getting much more comfortable on the wakeboard...Paige just popped right up her very first time. We were able to take Davey and Kristi with us, so we had a blast!It is very crazy to think that Rick and I own a boat! He has wanted one forever and grew up with a boat. I on the other hand am not very familiar with boats, but I am very excited to learn. Rick and I are excited to have great family time on the boat. We feel like this is a great opportunity to bond as a family and at the same time with friends.
The kids are super excited! It was a strange feeling as we were driving around that this was actually our boat and we can go out anytime we want. CRAZY!!!
I have been told the 2 happiest days are when you buy your boat and when you sell your boat....I only hope we have nothing but great experiences! Nevertheless, as of today we are two very proud, happy, and excited boat owners!!