Canoeing, Badminton and Friends

Remember when Kellie and I got to meet Elise and her sisters Libby and Ellie at the coffee shop a few weeks ago?
Well, this most excellent and wonderful family invited us all up to their place for canoeing, badminton and dinner last Thursday.

Alex, Elise and Ellen

The house they're renting is right on Lake Pend Oreille.  It was an absolutely gorgeous day, sunny and warm,without being too hot.  And I was insanely excited about canoeing on the lake!

Lovely Kellie.

Have I ever mentioned how much I despise wearing shoes?  I love going barefoot:)

We paddled out of the inlet, around the bend, and there was Long Bridge.  The bridge we've driven over so many times on our way to Sandpoint, and we're going to go under it...

Kellie and I

Beautiful clear, cool, calm water.

The reflections from the water on the bridge are so beautiful.

Staying in the cool shade of the bridge, we paddled at least half way down the length, laughing, talking and singing all the way.  We sang Row, Row, Row Your Boat in rounds.  It was epic.

You have now heard me singing Row, Row, Row Your Boat...by MYSELF.  Because for some reason, no one joined in when I started singing while I was filming this.  Also, I sound very odd to myself..and apparently someone was confused about something. Hehe.

Oh yes...sorry about the spot where the video goes all black.  We almost crashed into one of the bridge supports while I was filming because Kellie can't steer the canoe without my expert help.  I dropped the camera in my lap and saved our lives!!  Yes.  I did.  Because I'm awesome like that.  Okay, okay...so maybe it didn't go quite like that. ;D

After a bit, we headed back to the house to enjoy the rest of our afternoon playing badminton...

There was time for several games of Spoons inside before dinner, which is one of our favorite games. *grin*

They convinced Kellie to bring along her accordion and play a song for them, and Kellie in turn convinced my brother and I to play, too.   So we did.  For not having played together for a while we sounded pretty decent, in my opinion.

That's my concentrating-while-playing-the-mandolin face. ;)

After a delicious dessert of apple pie with ice cream, it was time for us to head home.

It was a perfect day that couldn't have been improved upon in anyway.
Thank you for the wonderful time, girls!

Happy Trails, y'all!