Swimming through the summer!

One of the best parts about being in Arizona is the cheap swim lessons! The kids were able to do 2 sessions while we were there. By the end of our time Talmage and Grant can swim (not fabulously, but they can do it!!) and Sandra is doing really well. Mhari loves the water and she had a good time in the Mommy and me class.

The pool we went to is new and has water slides, a lazy river, and a splash pool. On the last day of lessons the kids would get to go down the slides (they even have a little one in the toddler area). So much fun! The lessons were done in the lazy river section - 3 feet deep and about 8 feet wide.



Mhari had a good time... mostly. One of her teachers called her a little spit fire. That sums her up really well some days. She did great though and if she were a little stronger she would be swimming - she's a little fish :).


Here we are on the last day of lessons, after fun day, looking at the cards that tell your skill level and such enjoying the otter pops. What a great time. Swimming kept us busy during those hot summer days!

Talmage and Sandra


Grant

Mhari posing with her towel :)

Daddy's back!

Jeff got back from his study abroad last Friday night. It worked out that he got home a week early and was able to spend some time with his family before we all headed back to Texas.
 
Here are some of the highlight pictures of his trip:

 

 

We all missed him so much! The kids knew that he was coming home Friday so that morning Talmage came out and said (very excitedly) "Daddy's Home!"
I had to spoil the fun and tell him that Daddy was still on a plane and would be home that night after they were asleep. Then Grant came out and said "Daddy's Home!"
Oh, such joy to have him coming home, but hard for the kids to understand that he wasn't there that morning :).
The next morning all the kids were so excited to see Daddy! Even Punkin was saying Daddy in her bed before he went in to get her!
Here are some pictures of Jeff with the family.

Sandra and Daddy before church.

Grant laying with Daddy while he napped on the floor (still adjusting to the time change).


Jeff with his Dad and sister. It's cute when they sit alike :).

Jeff cuddling his brother Nathan while he napped. Too cute!

Jeff talking with his dad about shoes. They had some good bonding time :).

 

Fun with Friends and Family

It has been a busy summer. The kids have gotten to hang out with their cousins quite a bit. They have been swimming, to splash parks, friends and family houses, and being Grandma and Grandpa so much. We have been involved with projects, but I think my kids favorite is getting to play with friends (cousins count in this category) so much! Here are just a few pictures of the fun we've had. It has been a hot summer, but with all the fun I don't think they mind so much.