Labor Daze

What's up, folks

Stopped off at the Lake General Store on our way in for supplies.

So we made it back up to Eight Point Lake this weekend, our last time until Memorial Day '24, most likely. We were so busy this summer that we only managed to make it up there, like, three times this summer (Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and one random time in June.) The weather this weekend wasn't ideal - it was mostly overcast and dreary, hovering in the mid-70s (so no bronzing on the raft this time around), but we did get a lot of boating in and the kids were able to hang out with their friends and cousins for a bit. And we were able to check out the fireworks again this year, and were lucky enough not to get rained out like we did last time.

Behold, readers - the Houghs' last Eight Point venture of 2023. . .

Samson the Stupid

Dad and Kinsleigh, Jeff's soon-to-be step-daughter.

Jeff, Carissa, and their kids showed up right around the same time we did (the Whites beat us there by an hour.)

Jill, Kinsleigh, Carissa, and Kris - cluckin' away like hens on the dock.

A shit-load of bumblebees on these flowers by the beach.

Scarlett and her bald-ass father, coming in on the jet ski.

Abby and Ella really had to squeeze into these wet suits (they've been wearing them for like three years now, when they're wet they can barely be taken off.)

My diva of a sister is too picky with her Bloody Marys. But she still insists I make them for her.  Women. . .

After whipping together some Bloody Mary's for everyone, Brian loaded up some of the kids for some tubing (he was anxious to knock out a few hours this weekend whipping kids around the lake.) Yours Truly opted to hang back in order to enjoy a drink in the peace and quiet of a kid-less waterfront.

Ella, Scarlett and Abby on the maiden voyage.

Jill and Kris

Beating the shit out of little kids on the high seas.  Always a blast.

Next up, the dudes: Owen, Levi and Jax.

Kris attempts some selfies on the boat as they make their way back to the lakehouse.

Samson has to be tied up whenever he's out in the yard. Because he's an asshole.

Getting some lunch in, post-tubing.

Snack break.

After lunch we decided to do an adults-only cruise around the lake in Brian's boat, leaving all the damn children back at the lakehouse with Nana and Papa. Here I'm demonstrating how to do proper rowing technique (I guess.)

Boating is a hell of a lot more fun without kids, I'll tell you what.

I was pretending to harpoon the pontoon directly ahead of us on our way around the east side of the lake. I don't think they appreciated it.

Jeff deals with child concerns from the lakehouse. We had only been on the boat like ten minutes and already he was putting out fires.

Jill and Kris, enjoying their pic being taken.

Back at the lakehouse, we celebrated a few birthdays - Jax, Bradley, Scarlett, and Jill (all whom have birthdays in September.) We forgot to grab gifts for our nephews, so we'll have to drop off birthday cards at the Whites' house when we meet up with them next month to carpool down to Bryan Rowley's wedding in Tennessee. We're those people.

Chaos in the living room.

The girls were pretty good this weekend hanging out with Scarlett, who's a few years behind them in age.

Later in the afternoon, Brian offered to whip the kids around the lake a few more times and take advantage of a brief period of sun.

Ella, Scarlett and Abby take a turn on the tube.

Switching out riders.

More Snapchat selfies with cousin Jax.

Alayna still doesn't tube, but enjoys riding on the boat and watching other kids eat shit in the water. 

The weather was looking perilous for a stretch there, but fortunately the rain held off.

Owen and Jeff.

Beer Can Chicken. An Eight Point staple around these parts.

Somehow Brian always gets roped into grilling for everyone - poor guy.

Separating the chicken. Which turned out awesome, as always.

Kinsleigh requested I take this picture of her smashing her face into this novelty toy. Whatever works, kid.

Settling in to dinner.

The Birthday Squad.

Carissa beats down on some children.

Another Snapchat selfie. Alayna likes her some Snapchat.

Dad took us out on the pontoon to watch the fireworks, which we had been unable to do in previous years because it always seems to rain on the night the lake hosts the fireworks. This year worked out perfectly - the weather held and we were able to sit in the middle of the lake for a great view of the evening display.

After we got back ashore, we built a fire and let kids do s'mores.

Later that night, the girls took a pic of Watson, living his best life.

Having that basement area for the older kids is a god-send.

The next morning, Chris and his family rolled in for a quick day visit (I forget why they hadn't come up the day before.) The Whites had previous engagements with Brian's side of the family, so unfortunately they weren't around at all for Day Two of our stay.

Chris busted out some fishing poles so his kids could learn how to fish off the dock.

Abby tried her hand at fishing, too (we're not fishermen, so we never do stuff like this.)

Ella, on the other hand, has been brought up in an outdoorsy household by a dad who loves to fish, so she showed Abby the ropes (and caught several fish in the process.)

Chris, lecturing folks on something.

Relaxing on the tube, tied to the back of Brian's boat.

Alayna drew up this quick family tree to try and explain the relationships of everyone to Ella.

Shortly after dinner (of leftovers) we ended up taking off back to Midland, but not before I got some last-minute nephew-beating in. That's how Uncle Brian rolls, folks.

- Brian