4th of July

So, I'm a couple of months behind but I will see what I can remember. Fourth of July fell on a Saturday which meant that the BC fireworks and the lake fireworks were on the same night, so I had to make a choice. I chose lake fireworks. We BBQ'd that evening with my mom and aunt before we headed out on the boat. I love the one time a year when we get to take the boat out at nighttime.The fireworks were about the same as always. I had my point and shoot so my pictures didn't turn out so great. But I like this one because it reminds me of a jack-o-lantern.

The fireworks started a fire on the hill which was just as exciting, if not more than, the fireworks themselves. I couldn't keep still on the boat long enough for it to come out good but you get the idea.
Ali and Spencer acting totally cheesy.

My mom and my aunt LoriIndependence day is one of my favorite holidays. I love the warm, fuzzy, patriotic feeling it brings. I love what our country is based on and that we have people willing to give up their lives and fight for our freedom. Happy Independence Day!

Finally......

we took the boat out. Between the weather and being busy we haven't had our boat out all summer. Yesterday, it worked out to go! We got a late start (big surprise!) by the time we got loaded up and got gas and actually made it on the water. Tanessa was the first to go wakeboarding. She got right up but she got really nervous about going outside the wake. One time she did, she just sat there screaming until she lost her balance and fell. It was hilarious! Wish I had the video camera for that one.

Next up, Ali got brave this year and decided she would try wakeboarding. She got up out of the water really easy but didn't make it very far. She only tried a few times and then she was cold and wanted back in the boat but she liked it and is looking forward to going again. She was great and we were proud of her for trying it.

Of course, Dave had his turn wakeboarding. Me, I am not a huge water fan so I like to hang out on the boat and relax. I finished My Sister's Keeper and cried quietly so my family wouldn't think I was nuts. I did jump in the lake a couple times to cool off. Spencer is not ready for wakeboarding but we did make him go on the tube. He will only let me drive since he has seen Dave drive so crazy with the girls. He wouldn't even let me go over 10mph....pretty funny!

The girls each had their turn at tubing, too. Then we cruised around chasing ducks and enjoying the weather and the water.

Ali

Tanessa

When we came home, everyone was exhausted, which I love. We had pizza for dinner, showered, and watched movies. What a great day.....have I mentioned how much I LOVE summer?

Trail of 100 Giants

On Tuesday, a big group of us went up river on a little day trip. We started out at McNally's hamburger stand for lunch. Their burgers are delicious but it was way more expensive than I remember and the guys working took forever to make it. Then we finished the drive up to the trail. Walked around for awhile while the kids played and climbed up trees and in trees and through trees and over trees.....well, you get the picture. I was a little disappointed that the weather was so warm. Usually when we go up there it is a little cooler. On the drive back down the mountain, we stopped at the waterfall just below Johnsondale. We went above the fall and the kids played in the creek. It started out just looking and jumping from rock to rock but before you knew it, everyone had their shoes off and before we left, at least half of them had fallen in and were wet. Ali slipped and went down a small, bumpy rock slide. It was really funny.......she didn't think so. When we got back to Kernville, we got ice cream at Primo's. This was pretty much our dinner since it was already 5pm. It was a fun day!

Tanessa, Spencer, and Ali - with their walking sticks because you can't walk a paved trail without a walking stick...duh!

12 out of the 15 kids.....and only 5 adults.

Definitely outnumbered...hmmmm

Josh, Spencer, and Trey

Ali and Tayah

Tanessa.....I think that stick is a little too big!

A Week at the Lake......

well, several days anyways. The Bushlings had their trailer down at the lake last week so we decided to crash their party. The Reiswigs were there too. We'd go down when we got up and around and spend the day down there till we had dinner and dessert then come home and shower and sleep. The kids kept bugging me to sleep down there so on Thursday we packed up the tent and air matress and spent the night. Yet another reminder why I don't tent camp. I had a great group of boy scouts to put my tent up and I put the air matress in before bed. I woke up somtime in the middle of the night on the ground......it had deflated! Then I woke up every hour hoping it would be light so I could get out of that stupid tent. The last time I woke up was at 5am by a stupid speed boat on the lake. Won't do that again anytime soon! Thankfully, the fun we had during the days made up for that one, long night. The kids played with eachother all day long. They fished, played in the sand, swam in the lake, and went for rides on the waverunner. We had a blast hanging out with everybody! Thanks Bushlings!

Spencer, Trey, and Ryan.....probably waiting for gas so they can ride again

Ali and Tayah after a swim in the lake

Spencer is ready to take a dip

Ali

Not sure why I took this picture but I did. It looks calm, relaxing, and inviting. Don't you think?So what if it's missing the beach, a hot couple, and a Corona? I still like it. I enjoyed sitting IN the chairs with my feet in the water even more!

Swim Lessons

So, I decided to put the kids in swim lessons this year since we haven't done them in a couple years. Spencer was just plain terrified of water. Dave really wanted to just throw him in the pool and let him sink or swim, pretty much. I strongly disagreed with this approach so we went with the swim lessons. He did great! Being with someone else in the pool was just what he needed. He didn't know them well enough to fight them and one of his instructors was a high school boy, Cody, whom Spencer probably didn't want to be thought of by as a baby. Spencer jumps in the pool and dunks his head like a pro, though he's not actually swimming yet. He promoted to level 2 but we won't do that till next year. He can practice in our pool the rest of the summer.

Ali started in level 2, though she should've been in level 3 but the class was full. Her instructor worked with her on some level 3 skills, though. She is fine in the water and can swim under water but has not ever worked on strokes before. She began learning freestyle, backstroke, and breast stroke. And she got more comfortable opening her eyes under water and not plugging her nose. Ali moved on to official level 3, but like Spencer, we'll wait till next year for that.

Tanessa really didn't want to do swim lessons and I really can't blame her since she was in a class with a bunch of little kids. I figured she may as well do them since we'd be out there anyway. She was on a swim team for a short time last spring but didn't get much personal attention so she still needed to fine tune some of her strokes. She did well, though didn't pass because she still needs to work on the butterfly. There was something else she needed to work on but I can't remember what it was. There is a competitive stroke clinic later in the summer that I may put her in if we're not busy. They are trying to start a swim team up here next year but I'm not sure if she will want to do that again. We'll have to see.

Softball Playoffs

When it seemed t-ball would never end, Ali's team made playoffs and softball kept going even longer. They had their playoff game on Wed. in Cal City against Tehachapi. Spencer had a dr. app. in Bakersfield that day and I wasn't sure I'd make it to the game on time so I let Ali ride with her coach. It took a lot for me to let her go and then I find out I should have "gone with my gut". As it turns out, he doesn't make his kids wear seat belts on long trips so that they can be more comfortable! I could have killed him but that is another story..... Anyway, lucky for me, they lost their game or we would have had to go back on Fri. The other team's pitcher was GOOD. No one on our team could hit off her but the final score was 11-4 so at least it wasn't a total shutout. Our team had their end of the year party after the game at Pizza Factory.

Ali down and ready at second base

Ali up to bat

Team huddle

Sami and Ali at party

Ball Season Comes to an End.....

We had closing ceremonies for t-ball, baseball, and softball the very next weekend after the picnic. There was a huge potluck with lots of people. At least it wasn't hot outside because it surely wasn't "short and sweet". They announced all the teams and the kids got their trophies.

Spencer and his trophy

Noah, Brenna, Spencer, and Josh

Ali holding her trophy

Sam and Ali