Fairytale Town with Cousins!

Lots of fun at Fairytale Town followed by Vics Ice Cream of course!  YUM!

Champs 2014

 Gearing up for the swim team parade! I have been participating in this league since 1989...lots of memories came flooding back and I'll admit, I was a little teary having my kids participating.  Our theme was Rio and we had fun dressing up, singing our cheer and Xander even got to do a belly flop at the end! 

Champs went well for both Xander and Eliza. They got their season best times and had fun hanging out and watching kids.  Xander really took charge in the pool this year in breaststroke (no idea where that came from!?) and made Meet of Champs (a regional Championships). He chose not to participate in it since his event was on Sunday but he qualified and we are super proud of the effort of both he and Eliza this summer.

Thanks to our good friends, Eliza went home at lunch.  Xander had to stay for a relay, so he had to stay with me to the end--7PM.  It was a LONG day 6AM-7PM at the pool--eek!!  Not to mention it was 100+ outside.  But at least we don't have to wear much! ;)

My Fitness Pals

Citrus Bliss

This beauty wanted to learn more about her favorite essential oil (citrus bliss). I couldn't answer all of her questions so i gave her the book.  Well, she decided she wanted to learn more.  She decided to read the section on using oils and massage...guess who does a great massage now?!  I told her that she has to practice for awhile before I'll let her use the actual oils but, I'll take a practice massage any time of the week.  Love my silly kids!

CA State Fair

Dont you just love when things seem to work out?  We went to the state fair for the first time as a family.  I'm always a little anxious about these types of activities but not only did we survive--we had a fantastic time!  The kids had a great time seeing animals and learning at the exhibits (there was  Smoky Bear one, a candy one, State Parks, Ocean life...so much to do and see!) We enjoyed our treats and we enjoyed the crazy rides.  Fun was had by all and sleep came quickly on the way home...

Remember the childs prayer?

Random July Rain? I think not. Pray on Violet & Abby!

Just another Saturday

More swimming: 

 followed by more swimming:

 And, more swimming!

 And finally--Mom and Dad weren't worn out completely so we took our bikes and headed out for date night.  Love our location, we can ride to GREAT restaurants and still be home before it gets too dark.  I LOVE dating my husband.

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger

I'm learning to exercise in new ways!  Weights!!!  I hit triple digits finally.  It's crazy.  It's fun, it's exhilarating dumping all the weight off and I am enjoying feeling STRONG again!

Jelly BellY Factory!!!

See?!  Another day we weren't at the pool.  We took a day and went with the Larsens and the Gilberts--hehe that meant 3 adults and 10 kids. PHEW!  We had LOTS of fun!  The kids did well and maybe we'll go back when they are a bit older so they can "learn" instead of just "sampling" 

The kids will play!

Since Xander, Eliza and I spent our Saturdays at the pool, Daddy had a blast with these two beauties.  Many of the Saturdays were spent biking to the river.  The girls LOVE it there!

And ever so often, they got a little tired from their travels:

 

I have to admit, I LOVED getting pictures during the swim meets of their many adventures!

Where are the floaties?

TOTAL PARENT FAIL!  I have been working with a friend to have some swim lessons for Abby (2) & Violet.  (4).  Everything was set and then I realized that I hadn't spent a lot of time with them without their floaties. What if they freaked out?  Well, that wasn't the case.  Apparently, I have been holding them back.  I took off their floaties and dropped them in the water next to the wall and they both got themselves up and to safety.  With very little practice they started moving through the water and after a two weeks of swim lessons, I have two little fish who LOVE the water and refuse floaties!  What a weird stage to be at...no floaties, what's a Mom to do?  Well, actually, they are way too confident for my liking!  Total anxiety on my part.  It is literally CRAZY fun. 

Bowling!

For those who think I just spend all my time at the pool...behold!  We went bowling--

Ok, you got me, it was because we went with the swim team but we had SO. MUCH. FUN!  It was a first for Abby and Violet and kind of for Eliza.  Fun was had by all! 

Math Practice & Hero Husband

 The Missionaries from our Church come to dinner monthly.  We try to feed them well...which means that we usually have dessert. On this particular day, we decided we didn't need dessert.  Well, Eliza wouldn't have any of that!  I told her I did not have time to make anything though so she said she would do it!  And so she did!  She read the ingredients, mixed it, put it in the pan and made some very delicious cookie bars!  The Elders were very enthusiastic about her treat!

And while this was all going down, Ben came frantically into the house and said to leave the kids, grab a flat head shovel and come quick!  I had no idea I was running out to battle a rattle snake!  I grew up in Northern California and have been aware of rattlesnakes but I have never encountered one.  Friends, neighbors--they all have.  But not me.  So Ben and I battled the snake--although we had different ideas of how to do it, we chopped its head off just in time for the Elders to ride up on their bikes and see the mighty deed.  My husband is my hero! 

Faith

At the beginning of the year, when there was no rain during the rainy season, we talked to the kids a LOT about praying for rain having faith that the Lord will send rain. We taught our kids about "fasting".  We fasted for multiple meals and prayed a lot.  I can tell that Abby was all ears because, come July, she is still praying for "rain and snow".  She (&Violet) constantly wake up and say, "It's going to rain today!"  On this particular Sunday, Abby swore she needed her rain boots.  Such sweet, simple faith!

First Manicure

Eliza has been trying really hard to STOP picking at her nails.  I finally came up with "when you have white tips, I will take you to get a manicure."  We finally did! YAHOO for her.  We had a great time together getting our nails done...yep, they talked me into getting color on my nails (which I hate). But fun times were had and that's what was important!

Happy 4th of July!!

I didn't do a great job of taking a pictures but we had a great Fourth of July--we took a bike ride, we played with water, we ate, we got burned, we played and as you can see--we passed out. :)  Life is good!