swimming lessons and VBS

(I'm sorry the videos are kind of crummy quality. . .but it's better than nothing!!!)

The end of June was a CRAZY week of Vacation Bible School (Tanner's first time going, and he LOVED it) plus swimming lessons in the afternoon (in addition to karate!) We were EXHAUSTED!

I helped out with Bryce's class, so I was able to sneak this video of Tanner and his class, a few rows in front of us.  He did such a great job on the songs and the motions for them! 

Here's Bryce's group up front, leading one of the songs.  (This made B incredibly miserable!!!) 

And swimming lessons. . . this is how Tanner spent most of his days.  Huddled over the side trying to avoid the entire thing!

He was willing to kick his feet and splash. . .but blowing bubbles was NOT his happy place!

 Bryce did really well floating on his back, and swimming under water.  (But he hated it nonetheless! What a stinker!!!)  Despite their protests though, I felt like they both made some good progress, and it was worthwhile!!!! 

And karate. . . .

Tanner is really hoping to start karate lessons when he turns four.  He likes to follow along, by our seats in the corner, and punch at the bags that are stored over there.  {Tanner would love karate lessons for his birthday, if anyone wants to contribute to his karate fund!!!}

And in the midst of it all. . . .there's always time to be a half-dressed superhero.

Fort Myers

The boys and I took a trip to Fort Myers, leaving Eric at home to work. (Sorrrrrrry!)
We played in the pool just about the entire time, and we got to see Nancy, PLUS we got to meet Cousin Debi for the first time! (My mom and Nancy's cousin.)

This is definitely one of my favorite pictures of Tanner from this summer!!!

Bryce got pretty rich, picking up coins from the bottom of the swimming pool!

{Thank you Debi for taking fun pictures with ME in them!}

Even though Tanner looks verrrry happy, I promise, his didn't drink my mimosa!

Reading books with Annie Grannie!

Mimosas with Debi!

ICE CREAM!

OH YEAHHHHHHH!

Lakeland recap

A few pics from our annual trip to Lakeland. Eric goes there for a few days of United Methodist Conference meetings.....and we get to play, and hang out with some of our friends we've made through seminary and churches.

Here is Tanner and Chica, (at the bookstore) who is one of his favorite characters on tv. (I'm pretty sure Tanner will have a Chica for his birthday...how can I resist that face?!)

T and his pal, who's the daughter of our good friends. It's basically one giant play date in Lakeland! We hang together the whole time!

Ice cream! When we aren't playing, or shuffling the pastor-daddies back and forth to the convention center....we're eating. We go from meal to meal and treat to treat while we're there!

(Sorry these pics are out of order, but here's B at the bookstore!)

Ice cream!!!!

And we were all officially exhausted by the end of the week!

SeaWorld

On our way to Lakeland, for Eric's United Methodist Annual Conference, we spent a day at SeaWorld, especially to visit the new Arctic exhibit.  We weren't super excited about the 60 minute wait to get to the penguin ride/visit, but when the ride broke down, and our 60 minute wait became 90 minutes, we were even LESS excited. BUT the penguins were super cute and fun, when we finally got in there!  (I don't think I've EVER waited that long for a ride in my life!) 

The boys on their way to the Arctic. . . .

 visiting with the penguins. . . .

 in the underwater penguin viewing area . . . .

for some CRAZY reason, we had never gone over to the Shamu viewing area. It was AWESOME! the whales were swimming around, and they came right up to the glass.  in this picture, two of them looked like they were kissing! it was SO cute! 

Tanner LOVES this train ride. . . 

"We LOVE SeaWorld.  Really. Why would you think we don't?"

(they really WERE having fun, despite these faces! ha!)

 a couple of wild rides with Daddy. ..  .

Best part - cooling off in the splash area!

Happy Father's Day!!!

Happy Father's Day to some of the best dad's ever!!! We are so blessed to have dads and grandfathers that have each enriched our lives and made us who we are today! Bryce and Tanner have so many fabulous, fun, wise, and wonderful role models!!! We love you dads, and grandpas!!!!! xoxo

Karate belt test!

Tonight Bryce tested for his white/yellow stripe belt! He did great!!! He did all of his forms, and broke a board. He is SO happy!!! :)

Here he is doing a practice kick, just before breaking the board.

Doing his board break. . . .

Bowing with Master Johnson....

Getting his new belt!

After that, we celebrated with dinner and frozen yogurt. (It's been a seriously sugar-filled week!) 

Tanner at Sweet Frog, for frozen yogurt . . . .

The final days of 2nd grade!!

It's official! Bryce completed the second grade!!!! I was able to go celebrate at his class party yesterday, for his cowboy camp-out celebration. The kids made s'mores and trail mix, did a firefly craft, and went on a "bear hunt".

Here is B with his sweet pal, Emma. They've been in the same class since Kindergarten, and every summer now, Emma's mom and I cross our fingers, say a prayer and hold our breath as we wait to see if they'll be together again!!

Today was the official last day - a half day, and then Emma came home for the afternoon to play.  We went to Wendy's for celebratory Frosty's. 

Here it is....the last lunchbox of the year!!!

In the morning carline - for the last time till fall! (Yes, we were stopped when I took this pic!!)