Swim Lessons 2011

Ahhh.... has it really been another year? This year both of our girls were in swim lessons. It was a great experience for them and I'm so glad we did it. This is Daunika's third year in lessons and Aurora's first year. They both were so excited everyday to get up and go for two weeks. They were not happy about no lessons on Saturday and Sunday though. It was quite sweet.

It was an eventful two weeks. I was called away to attend a birth Monday and our dear friend Megan took our kids to lessons with her kids for me. Apparently Declan did not take to the idea that HE wasn't getting lessons and went into the pool fully clothed on the steps. He was safe, just wet. I was sad to miss the first day of swim lessons... and as it turns out, I missed Tuesday too!

Tuesday Damon went and the girls were genuinely thrilled that Daddy went. They told me all about it - it was so cute. Well, Declan once again decided he was going to go swimming... but this time, he didn't just sit on a step. While the story is fuzzy and I wasn't there - the basics were a baby falling in and a fully clothed daddy jumping in to grab him. He wasn't harmed in any way and wasn't in long at all, but it was a story everyone talked about the rest of the week. I've got to say - I love my husband completely. I heard it was pretty inspiring to see him just react - not think, just DO. He did have his phone in his pocket and luckily, it appears to work! The LED flashlight/light doesn't work, but overall we were lucky... but both of us agree that the phone was the last thing anyone cared about compared to Declan!

I got to watch the rest of swim lessons and it was great seeing my children blossom. The first week they were water shy, especially getting it in their faces or with Ms Kate letting go of them to swim. By Tuesday of the second week, Daunika decided she was "Ms Courageous" and was going to be "dedicated" (man I love this kids vocab explosion!!!). She jumped in the water fully without hesitation and swam AWESOME that day! She can fully doggy paddle and it's so cool to watch the joy in her eyes as she realizes she is swimming! Aurora was so scared to jump in the water but by the end, she was jumping in while holding a hand and went all the way under. wooohooo!!

I'm so proud of my kids! Enjoy the pictures :)

Ice cream scoop arms!! 

Red light, Green light kicking... this is furiously green light racing I believe.

Well.... One minute she's standing there....

And then.... SPLASH!

Aurora practicing her 'ice cream scoop arms'

Aurora did not appreciate back floats at all, but she did well!!

And of course - our Moose - his shirt says "Life Guard in Training"

Happy Summer!! 

Holland

What is wrong with me? Don't I already have 3 children, work, 2 cats and a dog to take care of? Do I need more things to worry about?

Yep. Meet Holland.......

He is a black lab, about 14-15 weeks old and a rescue puppy from up in northern Idaho. He is wonderful so far! Oh course, like all puppies, he wants to chew and play and such - but really. He sleeps through the night unattended without accidents, he LOVES the kids and learned very quickly to be gentle with them. He really is a lovely addition to our family. When he arrived he was so calm and honestly scared. Not of the kids noise, but if Damon or I spoke loudly he would cower and was very hand shy. Poor puppy. He must have been very unsafe before and I am so happy to give him a forever home where he will be loved completely.

He really loves to be in the middle of the kids. They don't seem to mind too much

Declan LOVES him and Holland appears to have the same feelings. Lots of slobbery kisses from both of them

Such a pretty pup.

Our newest addition to the family - Holland.

Camping!

2 posts ago, I said I was headed to the mountains..... and I did exactly that. Monday June 20th - Daunika, Aurora, Declan, Zoey (our dog) and myself loaded up our suburban and headed to the hills... Now, I can't claim I'm some great pioneer of womanly strength, my darling husband helped my load Betty (the name of our suburban) and Megan and her 3 children were heading up too...

It took about 13 million years to get out of town, but fuck we finally made it to highway 21 and all the nerves settled away. Blaring radio, all windows open, full sunshine...... damn near perfection. The only missing piece was my amazing husband who stayed behind to work so hard for us so we could take moments like this. Thank you Damon!!!

There were wonderful times spent with friends, great moments when Damon arrived unannounced and spent the nights with us, it was all around a absolutely wonderful time. What could possibly make it better?

Knowing that we're going again soon!!! Enjoy the pictures :)


Here's Rosie, Aurora, Daunika and Josh all gathered around the "breakfast table". All bundled up, though it wasn't  too cold at night, the mornings were chilly.

Here's our best friend Megan as Damon relaxes while holding her youngest Sadie (notice the little green feet poking outta his lap) and Megans middle child Rosie :) Megan is talking all about buying a new house for her awesome family!!

As previously mentioned in another blog, it is IMPOSSIBLE to take a picture of one of our daughters without the other popping out of no where. So cute :)

We love campfires... I wish Declan was awake for this awesome picture, because he has a pair of baby Keens to match all ours - but alas, here's the 4 of us warming our toes by the fire!

One of the best things about the camping spot we found was this great area for kids to play in the water. The creek we're next to was very fast, but this was a stream off of the creek. It offered shade and sand and water. Oh the FUN!

It was amazing. We got there on a Monday - BEST time to go camping. There was no one there! It was awesome. About Wednesday another person showed up but pretty far away, by Friday night I was ready to leave, it started getting really busy with people flowing in. We'll plan on camping Monday-Friday from now on. GOODNESS I LOVE NOT HAVING A JOB! Ahhhhhhhhhh. Genius. Damon was able to come up in the evenings, He's taken off days where our two crew members just go out and work, just frickin fabulous. I know great things are to come more and more....


I really want to go camping now! Must be patient!

Puddle Jumping

I swore I lived in Idaho.... I'm not sure what is up with this erratic weather - but I like it! It makes me feel so much more connected with nature when we are at their whim. My children are less thrilled to wake up to rain, so I felt the obligation of any parent who grew up in an area with constant rain - I showed them rain IS fun!!!

Rain cannot spoil even "summer" for us :)