2013 Swim Lessons

We were so pleased with the swim lessons the girls did at the local pool last summer that we signed them up again this year. Kaylee and Ashlyn did 2 weeks in Level 1 in June. And we did a second 2 week session that just concluded. The older girls were in Level 2 this time and Brenna got to try the Preschool 1 class.

Here's cute Brenna during her class.

Everyone's favorite part of lessons was going off the diving board. 

They started out jumping into the arms of a teacher and having some help swimming back to the side, but by the end of the 2 weeks they could do it all on their own!

Here's Kaylee going in.

And here's Ashlyn doing one of her "tricks". 

 This girl has so much personality and spunk! She's always fun to watch.

On the final day of lessons the little ones got to try out the diving board as well.

Here's Kaylee doing the front crawl.

And here's her back stroke.

Funnies

While driving somewhere with the girls one day Brenna wanted me to go faster and encouraged, "Beat up that car!"

The girls always insist on having water filled sippy cups when they go to bed, and some of them have taken to requesting ice in their water. One night I was admonishing Brenna to stay in her bed, as in, not to find excuses to come out multiple times. She made sure her sippy cup had ice in it, but then thought up, "What if my ice melts? I don't like water by itself."

The other day Ashlyn was working on some sort of project and we were discussing how awesome it was going to be. She proclaimed, "It's going to blow your head up!"

One morning Brenna came into our room about the time Russ was getting up. He lifted her onto the bed then knelt down to say his morning prayers. Brenna started to talk to him but I quickly shushed her and said Daddy was saying his prayer. Brenna reverently responded, "I hope he's praying to God . . . in the sky."

Tonight when I was putting Brenna to bed she said, "You're my favorite Mom in the wholest world." :)

Hand Me Down

Some outfits are just too cute not to pass on . . . and on . . . and on.

4th of July

We had a great Independence Day this year, filled with everything good about summer holidays - family, friends, food, fun, and fireworks.

We started the day off in classical 4th of July fashion with a ward breakfast at the park. Gotta love red, white & blue french toast!

It was super humid, and McKell was crying out for her nap, so we didn't stay too long.

After the breakfast we prepped the house and yard for friends to come over.

Here's my patriotic Jell-O. So pretty, right? Kaylee insists on having it every year.

Around 4:30 or 5 the friends started showing up! The kids played outside on the trampoline, the slip n slide, and in the wading pool.

We ended up with 5 other families here, a total of 26 people partying at our house! After dinner Russ informed all the adults it was time for mandatory participation in Just Dance 4. So fun! After the dance party we finished off the evening with ice cream, of course.

At the last minute the girls persuaded Russ to take them to see the fireworks (he was hesitant because he still had to go to work normal time Friday morning and he didn't want to be out too late - luckily, they were still home by about 10:30).

Hooray for holidays!!!

Sweetheart

I found this little gem when I was sorting through Ashlyn's kindergarten work.

Dear Mom and Dad

I love you with all my heart