Lake Don Pedro

Paul's new company had their annual picnic/camping trip yesterday. We went up for the day and had a fun time. Here the kids and Paul are swimming in the lagoon, which is nearby the lake.

We were able to go on a cool boat ride, which was both terrifying (initially for Paul and I :) ) and exciting (the kids loved it). We started out at 5 mph for a ways until we got out of the docking area, then, w/o warning, we shot to 40mph within seconds. I had no idea we would be going that fast and was quite ill at ease for a while. Once I was able to relax (and realize that we weren't all going to die), it was very enjoyable.Paris and Alex watching the waves.

The lake is huge (186 miles long and over 100 feet deep). The driver stopped so everyone could swim. Without hesitation Paris jumped right overboard with Paul... Mason followed closely behind.

Alex needed a little more time to think about it. Here is watching Paul and Paris swim.

Alex finally made the plunge!And here's what the car ride home looked like... even Paris's American Girl doll was passed out.

Sewing Class

Paris has been learning to sew this summer. Her latest accomplishment was this apron that she made yesterday. She cut out the fabric and sewed the entire apron using a sewing machine, then stitched on the cupcake and hot-glued gunned on the sprinkles all by herself.

Part Three- MT -

Paris wrote a note to leave at the cemetery for Grandpa.

One of many trips to Sugar and Spice!

Jim and Alex going for the football.Mason and Alex are munching on one of Aunt Pam's brownies.In front of Sugar and Spice- our traditional picture.

Thoroughly enjoying a MT summer rainstorm. At one point they were all laying down in the rain gutter with water rushing over them.

Yellowstone Country ClubAdorable cousin, Caitlin.

Jim, Mike and Paul.

Part Two-

Paris and Alex at Pioneer Park going down the OLD slide that I went down a lot as a kid :)

Our nightly ritual of hanging outside after dinner. We took walks, played football, rode scooters... all very simple and very fun.
Alex, Paris, Uncle Mike and Uncle Dan.

A definite highlight for Alex was his first fishing trip with his favorite person on the planet. Mike,Paul, Alex and Mason went down to Riverfront Park, and both Alex and Mike caught three fish each... very thrilling for Alex.

Look closely and you'll see the huge catch on Mike's line.

Here it is - Alex's first fish ever, an 8 lb. trout!!

A highlight for Paris was roasting marshmallows over a fire (for the first time) with Omi and making smores.

Jim, Mason and Paris (with mouth stuffed).

Giving Omi her b-day presents.

The kids with Aunt Pam and Trent.

Part One of our MT Trip!

Paul, Paris, Alex and Mason heading into the Oakland Airport. Our airplane travels were a success this year- first time ever without a screaming child - we have crossed (hopefully) a major milestone here!

Arriving in MT and very excited to see Omi!It was very cool for most of our trip so we were pleasantly surprised to hear about a new indoor waterpark in Billings. We spent the day there with cousins, Krista and Trent and had a great time.

This lilly pad crossing was Alex's favorite attraction.

Paul and Mason waiting for a huge bucket of water to dump on them.

Paris and Krista in the wave pool.

Paul shooting out of the water slide.

Alex's first trip to the skate shop to get a new board-

Alex got his first custom skateboard a few days ago. The one he was using (which is a totally cool one that Roman actually made in wood shop in 7th grade) was too big and heavy to learn tricks with (but perfect to learn on!). He and Paris are watching the board being assembled.

Putting on trucks and wheels and...

Viola... the proud owner steps on for the first time.

Paris was very helpful in picking out the design.

Alex skated right out of the shop.

Fashion Show

I couldn't resist posting this picture... Paris dressed herself and Mason up and they had a ball.

Our final days with our cousins were filled with more fun. It was very hard to say goodbye!!

Sy, Soren, Mason, Paris and Alex showing off their loot from The Jungle-Our final, fancy luncheon at McDonalds.

The final sad moments of goodbye- First the loveys had to embrace...

...then the big "pick-up" hug...

... and the last big smiles...

Here is a tribute to Sy's great lego building skills - this is a collection of his final work.

We had the most amazing first 4 weeks of summer with our cousins and Aunt Annie... it was like a dream come true to spend so much time together. We will miss all of you (and Uncle Craig!) so much!

The cousins have been bonding big time :)

After each day of Vacation Bible School, the kids sat down for a fruit chews snack before heading home. VBS went great and Annie and I enjoyed our morning breaks!

Here we all are at the library turning in Summer Reading Program logs and collecting prizes. They each got a new book, blow-up guitar and many cool coupons for free pizza, ice cream cones etc...

Soren and Paris hamming it up on stage at the park. They put on some cute little skits together, Soren is clearly destined for Hollywood! That little, adorable guy is hilarious and comes up with quite the array of stories.

Here is Sy honing his skateboarding skills!

After perhaps a little too much "cousin time", the kids got their cold stone ice creams and each headed to their own table. Good thing we were the only ones in the place b/c we used every table :)

A very proud Mason finally being allowed to ride the big ATV.

Major progress on the skateboard!

Alex has been living and breathing skateboarding lately and has acquired a few new skills. He just started going down the bigger ramps and his 6-yr. old friend, Joshua, taught him how to go down stairs.