Family comes to visit.

My wonderfull sister and her family came to visit!  They came to Florida for over a week and we were able to see them for two weekends!  It was so much fun to see my kids play with thier cousins and get along so well.  Jana has five kids; 10 yr old Ethan, 8 yr old Kate, 6 yr old Henry, 3 yr old Eve, and 1 yr old Jane.  If you haven't noticed yet, those ages fit pretty perfectly with my kids.  We all had a blast.   For the first weekend we met them in Gainseville and had a great time swimming and going to a musuem which had really cool butterflies.  The second weekend they came here. It was crazy to have 9 kids and 4 adults all staying in our humble home but tons of fun. I didn't have my camera for most of the fun so I hope Jana sends me pictures, hint, hint.  But here are a few of the ones I did take.

Slip in slide

Our great friends, Amy and Adam, sure know how to slip 'n' slide!   They have a great backyard with a hill.  When you add plastic sheeting, soap (for extra slickness), and water, fun is had by all!  Erin and I were as enthusistic as the kids but what really made me laugh is when Larry helped Raelyn down and she LOVED it.

Pop up camper

Larry has been wanting a tent trailer for months but I told him we did not have room to store a boat, tent trailer and our 2 cars in front of our house.  Last month the boat sprung an oil leak so he put it up on craig's list and bought a tent trailer.  I was hoping that he would wait to make the purchase after the boat had sold but the tent trailer was a great deal so we now have a boat, a tent trailer, and two cars all in front of our little house.  As much as I hate the fact that we have become a reason people like home owner's associations,  I am excited to use it.  We have two trips planned and one more in the works all in the next few months.  The tent trailer has a stove, sink, refrigerator, couch, table w/ two bench seats, two king size beds, and the couch and table makes into two twin sized beds.  They also sold it equipped with camping gear- so we should be set.   It being a great deal means that we are having to do some cleaning and repairs.  The second picture is during all the cleaning so excuse the mess.  I'll have to add pictures of the after pictures when we are out camping in two weeks. :)

Lasik

Larry had lasik done this morning.  It went well. I hope.  The first day your vision is supposed to be off but should be good in the morning. It take 6 months before they can tell just how successfull it was.  I hope I will be able to relax before the 6 months is up.  I almost hyperventalated while he was having the surgery I was so scared.  I cried real tears.  I think they should give the spouses the good drugs they give to the patients.  Larry's not nearly as tense as me.  He's feeling good!

First Day of School

Megan started third grade on Monday but Caden didn't start until today. I admit I'm a little emotional. I can't believe Caden is already in school. It seem like just yesterday he was my baby in arms. I know from Megan that as soon as they start school there is no going back. They are school age. Next is mission and college. I'm mourning the loss of his baby years today.

Summer Happenings

We started piano lessons this summer. We first had to get a piano. We chose a digital piano and LOVE it. The kids love practicing thier songs in different sound effects. Laughing, dogs' barks, fireworks... Here's a picture of the piano we choose. Megan and Caden started their lessons in June. Megan says she likes it but her practices are what she needs to do and little more. She is plugging along though. I was going to wait until Caden was a little older to start piano but he really wanted to start. What's a Mom to do? He loves it! He practices a lot. He has even composed his own music. After he played his song for me I told him that he should really write it down. It was so good. He has revised the song since this addition but here's Caden's composition before revisions. :) Notice the forte simbol at the begining. Caden likes to play all his music loud! Megan started swim team. She is amazing. She's fast. She can already do the butterfly stroke better than her Mom! She enjoys it so much I think we decided to keep her in swim team until it gets too cold. She should be participating in the begining of September so stay tuned for more swim posts. Caden was not quite ready for swim team but loved his lessons. He can now dive into the deep end and swim accross to the other side and can swim 25 yrds without stopping. He's improved so much this summer and I think he's over his fears.

Ella Dances

For those that have been over in the last 6 months Ella dancing is not news. Ella dances for all guests that come to the house. She tells them where to sit and then performs beautiful ballets. She does so with so much passion and with a very determined look on her face. She does not need music and when she is done she tells the audience to clap for her while she curtsies. Then she tells the guest that Mom is going to put her in dance class. Well, I finally gave in. She took a summer class. She had a good time in the classes but I wasn't $45 a month impressed with the classes so her dance instruction is going to have to continue at home with videos from the Libraryand her improvisations.