Kids That Love to Swim

Our kids love to swim and play in the water, so this inflatable large pool met our needs well this summer. We probably went through 2 of them over the course of the summer but it was well worth it.
Madison takes a moment to show off her swimming skills.

And another video to demonstrate a little of her stroke skills. Next summer we will likely find a pool to get a membership at so that they can really go swimming.

June 2010...Grandpa's Funeral

At the beginning of June we made a quick somewhat unexpected trip to Ohio for my grandfather's funeral. He died at the age of 95 on Memorial Day....a fitting day as he was a WWII veteran. He spent his last few years at an assisted living facility and then at a nursing home. He kept everyone laughing up until the day he died.
He was married to my grandmother in 1951 when my mom was just 5 years old. He then adopted her.

They celebrated 59 years together less than one month before he passed away.

Jodi was also able to make the trip to Ohio so that we could all be together. From left to right...me, Grandma, Mom, and Jodi

As for the children......they are not sure how to act in a funeral home at a viewing....they weren't there long! Matt spent many hours outside with them walking the streets of Loudonville and in the public library.

All they could think about was getting a ride on Grandpa's tractor the next day!

It doesn't take much for them to be entertained!

The day of the funeral...mom and Grandma.The top of his casket.

Their headstone...which they had picked out years before.

Our last goodbyes.

The next day as we were getting ready to leave, the kids were outside with mom and Sarge the dog. It had rained heavily the night before and the kids were enjoying running around in the puddles. Sarge located some baby bunnies which had come out of their hole due to the rain. Unfortuneately the one he found didn't make it....but Matt found another one which the kids enjoyed loving on.

Madison enjoying some coloring before it's time to go!

May 2010...Strawberries, Picnics, Swimming, Camping, and Ballet

This past May was a busy one for us. We did our best to take advantage of the nice weather and get out as much as possible.
Mid-May we went strawberry picking. Jason was a huge helper.
Carson enjoyed the eating of the strawberries as much as the picking.

Following the path back to where we would wait for the tractor ride back to the parking lot.

Jason is also thoroughly enjoying the strawberries.

The kids and I also enjoyed another trip to Wheaton Regional Park for Madison's preschool field trip/picnic. Madison took part in an at-home preschool with about 5 other kids.

Madison really enjoyed the train ride.

All the kiddos (including younger siblings) lined up ready for lunch.

Another view of a few of the kids.

After lunch it was time for the carousel ride. Jason is a bit apprehensive but having a good time.

And Madison is having a blast.

As is Carson.

We didn't have to wait until the hot summer months to get our pool out....temps in May were warm and the kids are always up for a little swimming.

Jason enjoys a moment on the raft.

And now that he's rested he's ready for a water fight with squirt bottles.

Over Memorial Day Weekend we enjoyed a camping trip just a few miles away....this was our first adventure at camping since Madison was 6 months old so we decided to stay close to home. One other dad and daughter joined us for the weekend and we had a few other couples came up for a campfire one night.

Here the kids enjoy the playground that was within walking distance.

And the see-saw. It appears that Madison and Jason are carrying a little bit more weight!

At our campsite Jason enjoyed putting rocks and pebbles in the front loader.

Our sleeping quarters...actually very spacious....we had 2 full air mattresses and 1 single in there, with a little room to spare.

And they sleeped well, at least once they went to sleep.

The last week in May Madison participated in a ballet class...she was in the same class the summer before and really enjoyed it. The instructor is a Christian girl from church so all the music is Christ focused and she has such a heart for the girls....I wish she taught year around.

Madison on "performance" day.

Listening to the teacher's instructions.

And no post about a ballet performance would be complete without a video of it.

I had another video of a little dancing but having trouble getting it posted.