Joe and Terri Sullivan began their family when they got married in 1993. Since then, they have been raising two wonderful and talented boys, Trey, 12, and Trent, 10.

This close family also has a faithful golden retriever, Sadie, who accompanies them in many of their outdoor activities, whether it is on the ground or on the water.

Joe and Terri own Sullivan Communications in Pelham. Their company is a wireless solutions provider that includes Motorola commercial and industrial two-way radio systems and GPS vehicle tracking systems.

When not at work, Joe coaches the youth basketball and baseball teams and serves on the board of the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce.

Terri is also very involved in the community and is founder and president of the Shelby County Arts Council. She stays very involved in fund raising, grant writing, marketing and program planning for the arts council.

Trey and Trent each play basketball, baseball and take art classes. “Both boys read extensively and are very skilled with computers,” Terri said.

Trey is also a piano and saxophone player, while Trent is the fisherman of the family.

Joe grew up on Lay Lake and bought their lake house in 1992. He and Terri got married that next year, began remodeling it and added several additions to make it accommodate their entire family today.

The Sullivans all love spending time on the lake and are all trained and skilled at water sports. Trey and Trent have been to a water ski camp in Georgia several times.

“The ski schools are fun because the ski lakes always have smooth water and the instructors are national champions or have been national champions,” she said.

Joe and Terri went to a ski resort in Central Mexico last year and later the whole family went to Coble Ski School in North Carolina. The whole family water skis together, and the two boys also enjoy wakeboarding and knee boarding. Being in the water has always come natural to them.

“We spend a lot of time on the water, either in the ski boat, pontoon boat or on the Jet Ski,” Sullivan said.

They said one of the best parts of living on the lake is the peace and quiet.

“We also got kayaks this summer, which we are really enjoying,” she said.

One event the family really looks forward to each year is the annual Christmas Boat Parade. Joe has participated for more than 10 years decorating a boat. He was also in charge of the parade for several years when he served as president of home owners and boat owners of Lay Lake.

“We always invite friends over after the parade for a Christmas party,” Sullivan family says.

Whether it is warm or cold outside, Joe, Terri, Trey, Trent, and Sadie all have fun spending time together outdoors, especially on the lake. “We have lots of fun inviting friends over to play on the lake with us and grill out on Saturday nights” the family shares about their summers together.