Visit to NE

The beginning of Aug, we headed to Columbus, NE to visit some friends - Sarah and Kurt. Kurt is a Pastor there and we hadn't been to visit yet. Sarah is pregnant with twins so we wanted to see them before their world got extremely crazy! Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of Sarah and Kurt or Sarah's baby belly. She is very cute as a pregnant lady, but she is getting uncomfortable already...the blessings of having 2 in there.

We were able to take a trip to Omaha to the Zoo even though it was really hot. We were not prepared for the upper 90's temp. It was 102 while we were driving the day before, so at least it cooled down a little. The zoo was so neat and had a lot of inside stuff. Thank goodness or none of us would have lasted!

We got to visit and the kids enjoyed the park near their home. We also took in some mini golf, but didn't even attempt to score it. Gabe and Anna have decided they like their way of playing -- hit the ball, then pick it up and put it right next to the hole, then hit it in. Works like a charm every time!!

We were so happy to get to visit them and see their new home and all the fun baby things. I think Gabe and Anna traumatized the cat while we were there, but they were just breaking him in for the fun yet to come with the twins.

Swimming in Lake Sarah

After our visitors from TN were on their 2 day journey back home, we headed back out to Earl's. I forgot to mention Dad and Debbie stayed there, so we needed to take the clean laundry back out. Anyway, we thought it would be fun for Gabe and Anna to experience lake swimming.

What a hoot that was!! Needless to say Anna is like me and prefers the nice clean water and smooth concrete of the pool. She was not a fan of the rocks, but could have gotten used to them had there not been lots of grass and yuck floating in the water and touching her legs. Doug even tried to show her it was just grassy stuff and that it wouldn't hurt her, just feel funny. She wasn't buying it. She did a lot of jumping and screaming until she got herself back out of the water.

Gabriel was just as funny. He wasn't a fan of the floating stuff either, but after he freaked out and jumped and then FELL into the stuff, he was fine. I guess he realized it just felt funny and it wasn't going to hurt him. Then he was out to explore and watch the boats and jet skis.

I'm not sure if we will do that again or not. We'll have to see what next summer brings!

Visitors from TN

It was really great to be able to have Doug's Dad, Debbie and Patrick here for a little visit. After driving for 1 1/2 days to get here, they were glad to get out of the car! It was a long trip from Memphis, but hopefully they had a good time. We were glad to have them and show them a little of our new area.

While they were here we took them to End O Line Railroad park and learned about the RR in Murray County and got to play on some trains. We also got a ride on a manual turntable. The kids really got a kick out of that!

Later that day we fit in a trip to the farm for Patrick to see the cows. He liked watching them in the milking parlor. Then Patrick decided that he wanted to work, so he set out picking up the hay bail that had broke earlier in the day. He quickly delivered it to the pen with the cow who had just had a calf earlier that day.

We also went to Pipestone National Monument and learned about the Pipestone rock that is still quarried today, but they have strict requirements as to who can quarry it. They also got the tour of town and the church. Since then, many members have commented on how good it was to have Pastor's family in church. None of them were envious of the drive though!

We also just took time to visit and let the kids play. Thankfully we did not have any major issues and everyone had a good time. Patrick stayed here with Gabe and Anna and they had fun sleeping in sleeping bags and having a "slumber party."

Anna's Swim Lessons

Well, just like her big brother, Anna took swim lessons. She was able to take them later in July and in the evening. It was typically warmer for her lessons....in the pool and for us parents sitting in the sun. She really did a great job during swim lessons and I think she was a little old for the class. It was the beginner "Whales" class and it was mainly to get the kids used to water and used to other kids. She did have fun though and was excited to get to go swim with her teachers.

She learned how to kick, walk like an alligator, walk like a crab and float on her back. She is great with putting her face in the water and diving for the rings and pennies. Her favorite game was alligator tag when she got to use the swim noodles. We usually try to go swimming on Thursday evening for Splash Nights when both kids can use noodles.

She did pass and will continue to Level 1 next summer. She just loves going to the pool and always wants to go to the big pool. She can't touch there yet, but she loves to jump off the side. She has been watching the bigs kids on the diving board and even tries to do funny twists like them. She does a great job of kicking her feet and getting back to the surface of the water.

Backyard fun with Anna and Zoey

We got a sprinkler for the backyard for days that we can't make it to the pool. It took the kids a while to understand that they were supposed to run through the sprinkler and get wet, not just run around it and try to stay dry. Once they did that they were happier!

Anna and Zoey played in it one day while Gabe decided to stay inside. Something about needing to rest from Tball. The girls really had a good time and they watered my lawn at the same time. We kept moving the sprinkler around so everything got a good soak.

More TBall pictures

He got is official Slayton Summer Rec shirt with his number on the back. It is yellow and he loves it. Although lately, he has been taking it off after tball so he doesn't get it dirty for the next game. Silly kid!

They took team photos and the pictures were in the paper twice. He thought it was wierd that people from church were seeing his picture in the paper.

I am not quite sure if he likes Tball, he just says it is fine. There are other boys who are more into the game than Gabe, so he lets them chase after the ball a lot. He has picked first base a few times, but has more fun talking to the other runners than paying attention to the ball that is coming his way. So, those days he gets LOTS of exercise running from first base to the fence to get the ball the other kids are throwing to them. At least he is learning how to throw pretty good from that. =)

Ok, so one picture got turned over and I can't get it rotated back. You will just have to adjust your neck!! hahah

Gabriel's Swim Lessons

Well, it is about time I updated the blog, huh? Back in June, Gabe had swim lessons for 2 weeks. He had them in the morning and we lucked out that is wasn't that cool for him. There were 2 mornings that it was hovering at 68 which is the temp it needs to be to open the pool.

There were a few kids that we knew in swim lessons, but he got to meet new kids that would be in kindergarten with him this fall. He did a great job and passed Level 1. He has since become more comfortable in the pool and is getting more confident. He can float on his back and jump in and swim out to us.

Just this past Wednesday he got REALLY adventurous and swam with is face in the water and floated on his belly. I am just so proud of how well he is picking up on swimming. I guess it helps that both kids want to go to the pool just about EVERY night! That sure doesn't help me get caught up on my scrapbooking! (or blogging!!)

The last day of lessons, they each got a snack and their certificate. I think he was more excited about the candy!