Houseboat Adventure

I can assure you that floating around on a houseboat for a week is the perfect way to end the summer. Prior to leaving I was up to my eyeballs in curriculum options and stressed out about trying to find childcare for Levi. My children had been sick for nearly two weeks prior to departure and I was stressed that they were going to pass their germs to our friends. Thankfully, my children had an amazing time despite the fact that they hacked their lungs out the entire trip. They swam and climbed and ziplined and snorkeled and fished to their hearts content. They all turned a lovely shade of brown and  returned home feeling well rested and refreshed. 

Claire was obsessed with these mountains and took heaps of photos of them with SLR. Perhaps I should incorporate photography into her homeschool activities. 

We were blessed to spend a night with some RCMP friends in Salmon Arm and catch a glimpse of their lovely life there. We  camped with them earlier this summer at Sprout Lake. Claire didn't waste any time bonding with their bunny. 

We spent the next week exploring various branches of the Shuswap Lake.  Each afternoon we would secure our houseboat to the shore and release the children to explore until bedtime. Each beach
 had something unique to offer: lizards, frogs, rope swings, waterfalls, shiny rocks, spawning sockeye and incredible views. 

Because adding Christmas lights to a houseboat is how we roll.....

We would have regular plank and push-up contests just for fun. 

I was impressed with the devotion with which the children fished. Finn caught this beauty on the first night and he spent nearly every free minute afterwards trying to catch another big one. There were endless tangled rods and one day we found a fishing rod completely submerged and  hanging off the stay lines. How that happened we will never know, but Nate managed to retrieve it. 

I spent a great deal of time soaking up the sun and reading this fantastic Charlotte Mason book. Keana, thank you for lending it to me!!!!

Don't worry, we left the spawning sockeye alone.

Oh look its a blurry picture of me with Erin and Julie!!! 

My sick baby having a much needed break from all the fun.  

The children had so much fun filming stuff with Amelia's GoPro camera. 

I just adore this kiddo.  

Finn sweetly teaching Levi something. 

We ate plenty of yummy meals thanks to Julie expert planning and prepping. She brought homemade muffins and pre-marinated all of the meat. Seriously, this woman is amazing!!!

Because adding strobe lights to a bonfire just takes things up a notch. Thanks Allan!

When the children needed some down time we utilized this lovely piece of technology.  

Allan brought along his zip line and set it up in the forest at one the beaches we visited. It was AWESOME!!!

Julie showing us how it is done :0)

Bonding with daddy over some Lego in our little sleeping compartment. I was surprised at how cleverly the boathouse was laid out. There was a ton of places to sleep. 

Milo always has the brightest smiles!

He looks grumpy but he is actually concentrating on "sucking it in" for the camera. :0)

The night we parked on "party beach". I can assure you, there was a party and it involved a LOT of rainbows :0) 

Nothing beats a real fire. We were delighted that the fire ban was lifted while we were still on vacation. 

Cause you get a bit silly when you have been floating for a week. 

These two have been friends for a LONG time! Julie and I had a good laugh when we noticed that they were both dressed the same.

Here are a few photos I stole off Julie's Facebook page: