My future swim star!

Charlotta is so comfortable in the water and has no fear. She even loves to wear goggles! She has a bright swimming future ahead of her.

New hair styles

Charlotta can now do pigtails! I just love this look on little girls.

Brennen goes pirate!

Skylar's first Triathlon!

Skylar and James have been visiting with Lovisa and Brad for the last two weeks. On the last day, there was a kids triathlon in Midland and Skylar really wanted to do it. It was a 25 yard swim (boo-way to short!), 2 mile bike, and 1/2 mile run. Here she is right before the race!

I was so proud of her for just doing it. She beat me in doing a triathlon. Now she has really inspired me to actually do what I have been saying that I am going to do! Siouxperman Tri, here I come. After the race!

She did really great! She got 11th place, which I thought was very good for a first timer. We signed her up late, so she got placed in an early heat and she beat everyone in her heat by about 5 minutes. I bet if she had been in a later heat, she could have done even better, but I was just so proud of her for doing it! She already wants us to sign her up for next year. James did not want to do it this year, but he is thinking about it for next year.

Kellen and Mama relax!

Off to Camp Neyati!

Today Lovisa and I drove the kids up to Camp Neyati. Skylar will be there for a week and James will be there for 2 1/2 days. They both went last year and had so much fun, so we signed them up again this year!

Skylar loved her camp counselor last year and so she was very happy to find that she had the same counselor again this year. Also, we were one of the firsts to get to camp so that we could make sure that they could get top bunks (so very important!). We were successful and the kids waved us off as quick as they could!


James let me make his bed and then immediately said, "Bye, Mom" (please leave now).

The swimming hole. I hope they have as much fun as they did last year!

Then Visa and I had a little girl time together. We went to the Loons game and then we spent the rest of the evening golfing together with Brad at their new country club. It is so beautiful, especially the 18th! Visa and I got a taste of how great it would be to live in the same city and now we are both a little sad!

Weekend with Brad and Visa!

It's time for the annual Visa and Brad visit. We flew in last night and today we spent the day enjoying some of the best of Midland. Visa and Brad have joined the country club in Midland and so we woke up and headed right over there to spend the day at the pool. James absolutely adores Brad, so wherever Brad is, James is close by.

James doing a little modeling on the side.

Pool break for some lunch at the new club house!

Then it was off to the Loons game!

Having too much fun!

Fireworks after the game!

All in all a great day!

Kellen's 5!

As usual, we start the day with some doughnuts and a round of Happy Birthday!

Then it was off to the pool for some water fun (James was there, he just found some friends to play with and disappeared for a while).





When we got back, it was time for the party! Kellen chose a Mickey Mouse theme this year and here are all of the mouses. I'm Five!





After a few games and dinner, it was time for CAKE!


Kellen couldn't bother with silverware.

Then Charlotta went into meltdown mode, so we had to take a little break so that Mama could put her to bed!

I'm so done with this party!

Presents! Kellen was very excited about his presents this year and he just loved his new Swedish soccer jersey!

Brennen loved Kellen's new Woody doll and tried to make off with it.



Finally, the grand finale...the pinata!



Mama bought a little too much candy this time, but the kids were really happy!

Charlotta gets a pretty!

Charlotta came home from daycare with a new pretty in her hair! We all like it a lot and now everyone wants me to put it in everyday. The only thing is Charlotta hates getting it taken out. Oh well, it is pretty darn cute...


My two girls!

July 4th weekend!

The first really nice weekend we had at the lake all summer. It was beautiful every single day. The kids just played and played and played!

Ok, I'm ready to try this out!

Kellen just loves splashing in the water. He played out here for hours.

Charlotta in her new boat that she got for her birthday from Mormor. She just loves her boat!

Kellen is never far from his Lotta.


Brennen wanted to give it a try too.


Skylar playing with the neighbor girls.



Brennen giving it a try on the slide.

Charlotta and Mama having fun getting warm.


Getting ready to make smores.

Skylar is a pro by now!

James played with the neighbor boys most of the time. We finally bribed him home with fireworks!

The trampoline managed to stay in place for 3 whole days. When I woke up this morning, I got a call from the neighbors saying that the trampoline was gone, but after searching for a while, they found it. We did not have any problems last year, but now we can't seem to keep it in place. Like JT says,"I guess we have to get mid-evil on the thing!" Hopefully nothing is popped!