A couple of years ago we made a purchase that, at times, we have regretted immensely, and at other times we’ve declared it as The. Best. Idea. Ever.

Jer and I, along with my brother and sister-in-law, bought a 25 year-old 19 ft Party Barge. For you non-nautical folks, that roughly translates to a busted old tin can on pontoons. But she’s ours and we proudly named her the ‘SS It’ll Have to Do’ a.k.a. The Amazon Queen.

Contain your jealousy...The Amazon Queen

On a good day she pulls about 12 miles per hour. On a bad day, a lot less. She’s aged, she’s broken-down and she’s a bit costly in repairs, hence the occasional immense regret.

The highlight of Jack's life thus far...driving the boat.

But, she also provides us all with a cool swim on a very hot and sweaty day. The swim ladder off the side allows the kids to climb up and down with relative ease, at the same time allowing the adults to sit comfortably with our beverage-of-choice in hand. (Disclaimer: we DO NOT drink and boat, unless we’re merely passengers in which case we drink like fish…on account of our environment and all.)

Jeremy getting a kick out of himself (or perhaps by my awesome 'running man' behind the camera)

Being that The Queen has almost zero-pulling capability we are able to maintain that slightly “windswept” look without any real damage to our hair and makeup. However, my hair somehow manages to absorb every drop of humidity in the air after about an hour on the water. So, I will only pose for photos within the first fifteen minutes of boating. Yes. I’m vain.

Thought I'd get a picture before my hair went all to hell.

We’ve had some great times out on the “The Amazon Queen.” Once we learned how to ignore the pitying glances from fellow boaters as they speed by in their shiny watercrafts leaving a wake behind threatening to capsize our beloved boat causing us all to hold on tightly lest we be left with nothing but two pontoons and a motor, we started having some real fun out on the water.

There's something about a boat that brings the "kid" out in the grownups.

And then suddenly, The Amazon Queen’s attributes became glaringly obvious. Spill your beer? No worries. Crush a Cheeto? Can’t make her look worse. Accidentally step through the rotting floor? Step around it. There’s something very relaxing about owning a real lemon. While our Bayliner-buddies are hovering around their babies with polishing cloths inspecting every flaw, we have come to realize that scratching the paint job onThe Queen could only enhance her natural beauty.

The "other" highlight of Jack's life...fried chicken.

And, although summer is quickly winding down, I look forward to many more trips to the lake on “The Queen.” Any time we can make memories for the kids is valuable time spent in my book.

Avery was made for boating.

And by proudly claiming our old, busted down rusting pontoon boat with each and every launch into the water, we’re also instilling in them a very important lesson: lower your standards.

Mindy