Cousin Camp

We've had our cousins staying with us for a few days.  There are finally enough people to have a three monopoly game.  Ethan became the grand champion in the end, with ALL the money and properties.

The little guys found activities too.  It was a fun few days!

Swimming Lessons

It's that time of year!  When we pay teenagers to "teach" our kids to swim.  Honestly I struggle to see improvements with the young ones, but I am hopeful that it's working!  What we really need is a week in grams pool for Emilee, and Chandler is pretty good now.  He's doing strokes and lap swimming which is great.  Now if I could convince Heidi's teacher to make her put her head under water, we'd be in pretty good shape!

Into the Woods!

We headed out to Still Creek campground for an overnight this weekend.  It was so pretty.  We had a HUGE site (#7 - 6 was huge as well), and the kids could run and play without disturbing the peace.  :)  They found these enormous leaves, and played king of the stump for hours.  Very fun!

 The next morning we headed out on a hike to one of the two twin lakes.  Lower I think.  It was a nice wide trail, and everybody had a great hike!

At the end of the trail was this peaceful lake where the kids decided to just "dip their feet in."  I'll let you see how that turned out. . .

I promised not to show them in their undies.  :)  But I also promised to assure all readers that they were NOT naked.

We dried out and headed back down the trail for a blizzard at DQ.  What a great little trip!

Fractured!

Poor Heidi!  Heidi was hanging from a low branch on our tree and slipped off.  When she did she fell backwards onto her arm and after three days of guarding it, we took her in.  It's looking like she does have a very slight fracture in her right humerus.  She has been a trooper through the whole ordeal, and we are very excited she only needs a splint for a few weeks, because that means we can still swim!

8th Grade Commencement

I really can't believe that I have a high schooler.  I have a high schooler!  Ethan soared through the 8th grade and continued to get good marks and have successes.  We are so proud of him.  He was honored at the awards assembly as an exceptional math student.  He is ready for the adventures to come.  The pictures below are from the balloon crossing.  The kids walk from the JH across the street to the High School where they are greeted by the principal and learn the fight song.  It was a great way to celebrate!  Here we go.  

#3

Our #3 had a rough season on a team that couldn't catch a break.  But Aidan still played well and is looking forward to next year.  Great job dude!