Tractor Ride

Mason City

Uncles, Aunts and Cousins!

Fishing and Camping

GrandMary and GrandpAl visited us at the campsite in the afternoon.  GrandpAl took the girls to the lake to practice casting with their fishing lines.  Then everyone else went home and we had dinner in the camper without any mosquitos.  We had some andouille sausage, potatoes, onions and carrots cooked in foil over the campfire.  It was "Ummy!"

Clear Lake, IA

 Swimming, wading, splashing in Clear Lake.  The water was surprisingly warm. We walked around the Clear Lake Art Sail and ended at the lake.  After drying off it was back to the campsite for lunch.

 Simeon played at the splash pad instead. 

Uncle Josh and Uncle Noah decided to stay dry.

Camping

Grandpa and Grandma's

 Our first day of vacation.  The kids were so excited to play outside.  We stayed close to home that day as Forest City was host to RAGBRAI.  The Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa brought 20,000 visitors to town.  We chose play outside and feed the horses.  

My Turn

Adley has been reading a lot this summer and occasionally she enjoys reading aloud to her brother and sister.

Cana loves listening to stories and has a few books memorized.  After Adley reads, Cana likes to read out loud to her brother. 

Today, Simeon grabbed a book and decided to "read" to his sister!

Library Visit

We planned a fun filled Saturday at the ball field to watch a game but the rain changed our plans to a library visit.  We picked up reading club prizes and found some more fun books.  Adley had a sports birthday party in the afternoon and we met Daddy for dinner at a new restaurant.  All in all, a good day!

Swim Lessons

Swim lessons were a lot of fun this summer.  Cana was very enthusiastic about her preschool level 2 class.  She did a great job going underwater and working on floats.  She did her forward float all by herself.  She jumped in when asked and learned to use her goggles too.  She'll keep working on her arm circles to swim. 

Simeon had his own lessons this year.  He was in the parent and child class with Mommy.  We spent 15 minutes in the 12in deep pool playing with water toys, singing songs and having races.  The second 15 minutes of each class was in the big pool where he learned to get in the pool with the stairs and how to hang on to the side all by himself.  His favorite parts were 3-2-1 blastoff when he would push off against the wall and we would then kick back to the side.  He also enjoyed standing on the edge of the pool to jump in.  Using a kickboard was helpful too.  Simeon will keep working on getting his head wet.  He doesn't mind blowing bubbles but going under is not fun.

Adley did a fantastic job of finishing Elementary Swim Level 1 this year.  She did all her front floats, back floats and swimming several body lengths almost entirely on her own. She claims the goggles really helped her see underwater and she has tons of confidence this season.  She's moving on for next year and can't wait!

 

Playing Outside

Playing outside and Daddy found a woodworking project which quickly attracted helpers.  

While the girls helped Daddy Simeon and Mommy played baseball. 

Simeon is developing his own pitching routine.  This is a quick shot of his wind up.  Its WAY cuter in person. 

Of course, its fun to bat too.  His timing is excellent.  Of course, he typically hits the ball from the ground.  Next up, T-ball? 

Giants Fans!

Playdate, Trains & Splash Pad - what fun!

We met up with friends and the Plainfield Park for a playdate.  The train was Simeon's favorite part.  Adley is not pictured because she ran off with her friend and Cana participated in all of the above.  The splash pad was working that day and it was hot enough to play in the water so we went home wet, tired and happy.  Gotta love summer.

Smore Love

 After supper we celebrated the 4th with smores.  We had S'More Love Kits as wedding favors from the weekend and we supplemented with our own charcoal fire and a few extra smores.  

 Roasting...

 ...and eating!

Then we had sparklers to burn.  We couldn't wait until dark...

Happy Birthday America!