Swimming Lessons

I decided to Aleena and Livee in swimming lessons this year.  Aleena has actually passed the swim test and can go in the deep end but she isn't a super strong swimmer.  The first day Livee and Aleena started out in the same class but they moved Aleena to the next level.  

 Livee is such a great floater and is really learning to swim fast.  Livee is in the green bottoms and Aleena is to the far right.

 Here is Aleena's bigger class.  She is already improving so much.  She doesn't have to plug her nose to dive anymore or wipe her eyes like crazy when she comes out of the water.  It has really made her stronger.  

3 more days til it is finished.

Ladies River Float.

We planned our annual river float for the same weekend as July 4th because Michelle was in town and I wanted her to be able to go with us.  It was fun as usual.  There was a bit of stress because we were all worried about Oscar the dog and Kaydee was feeling sick about it, but she was a good sport and came anyways.  We ended up having 16 of us.  Me, Savanna, Tansy, Hallie, Jase, Kaydee, Gracie, Kell, Lexey, Alice, Isaac, Sam, Michelle, Tyler, Kristen, Sherri.  It only took us 3 hours to float.  Usually it is more like 4 hours, but the wind picked up and we were afraid we would never get there, so we paddled quite a bit.  It was still fun and a nice get away.  The kids were wild and crazy but stayed in their own group and the adults stayed in their group.  Of course we did lots of laughing, talking, and eating.  I didn't get the greatest pictures.  We weren't sure we were going to actually get there because Captain Ron's Scooby doo van wouldn't start, but after a little rearranging we got there and got in the water.

 Savanna is going to be mad about this one.

Here is when we were paddling.  Everyone was kind of going at their own speed. 

Fourth of July

We spent the fourth at our regular spot, Harris Pond.  We got their around 1 and stayed until about 7.  The kids would have stayed all night.  We went home exhausted and didn't even do any fireworks.  The older kids were disappointed we didn't go see any, so for next year I promised them we would go watch them or do them.

 Everyone loved the Hammock.  I want one at home.

 This bridge is always a fun place to jump in.

 Savanna and Kyanna are in the paddle boat.

Hallie, Lexey, Analise and Kyanna are having some swing time.

 Here is the zip line start.  Even Livee was brave enough to go on it.  Maybe one of these times I will get brave.

This is of Hallie, Analise and Livee going on the zip line.  This is Livee's first time.  Hallie drops half way across.  Livee has had to miss out on Harris Pond the last two summers because of injuries so she was so excited to be participating.

 Aleena and Zane having a boat ride.

 Here is where we dumped all our stuff.  We had stuff everywhere.

 Hallie and Kyanna are trying to ride the board.

Trying to catch some fish or frogs.  Did not succeed in that.

We ended up having lots of us there.  Me, Brad and kids plus Kyanna.  Kell, Matt and Lexey, Macey, Tate.  Amylee and Sage, Analise.  Kaydee and Gracie, Faith, Cooper (Quincey was camping with a friend), Michelle, Linden and Tyler, Zane, Kaicey, Broxton, Selena.  Gramps.  And I had invited our neighbors, Kendra and Jeff and their 4 kids.  It was a great time and all the cousins just had a ball hanging out.  We don't really plan it being a family reunion but it felt like one.  I am glad we all live close enough that we can have weekends together often.

The worst part of the day was when Kaydee's dog Oscar got out of Kell's fence and went missing.  Everyone was sick about it.  He did finally show up Monday morning around 2:30 am.  The poor little guy came back skinny, dirty and tired.  Poor thing.  Everyone is much happier now that he is home safe. 

Cousin Time

On June 21, Saturday, Michelle brought her kids to my house to stay for a week.  She then came the next weekend and stayed through the July 4th weekend.  We had a busy couple weeks but lots of fun.  Not sure what to do with myself now that everyone is gone.  

 Snowcone time.  

 This is bright and early in the morning.  Everyone usually just found a spot somewhere and plopped for the night.  

 We did lots of swimming.

 These two are washing the lettuce and spinach from the garden.  They are so silly.

 Aleena was my helper.  Her and Broxton are buds.  She got right in the tub to help him wash his hair.

 Again, Aleena was my helper.  The older girls were at girls camp and so she stepped it up.

 More snowcones.

 We decided to give them a break from swimming and took them to Hop 2 It.  It was a fun bouncy house place.  They actually lasted about 2 hours and 15 minutes.  

We had a great time.  We had a few other events like the actual 4th and the ladies river float but I will post them seperately.  I am blessed to have such a great family.

Aleena Softball Season

Aleena had a great softball season.  Their team really improved so much over the season.  They ended up winning the championship game and got 1st place.  They went in the tournament as #3 team and came out as #1.

 Warming up on deck.

 Ready

 Set

 Swing. 

 The kids do more playing in the dirt than watching, but it keeps them happy.

 We came early and watched Tate play his game but we had to make some shade for the kids.  It was so so hot.  Here they are hiding in their fort.

 After their final game.  They were so excited.  Aleena is the one on the left holding out her finger.

Good job Lime Green Mean Machines.