A full weekend at the lake=happy children

 

 

After a long day of play, the kids cuddle around a DS before bed!

Charlotta's first hair cut!

We've had a few pieces of gum in the hair and she is 3, so it was time to get the hair all cleaned up.  She was so excited to have an "appointment" at the salon!

Triathlon day!

As you know, I have been doing triathlon for the past two summers.  Well, Skylar was the first in the family to do it and she inspired me to try it.  She loved it, so here she is back at it.  James also wanted to give it a try.  While we were getting set up, Skylar ran into her best friend from swim team, Macay.

 

 Here Skylar is just starting her run.  Her goal was to finish in the top ten so that she could qualify for Ironkids nationals.  She finished 9th and is on her way to Des Moines!

James is just coming out of his swim, which he did very well on.  Biking and running are not his thing, but he did finish the race.  He thinks he'll wait for next year to do another tri.  I'm proud of both of them, just doing it!  Now Kellen wants to do it....

Practicing for the triathlon

Skylar and James are doing a triathlon tomorrow, so we decided to practice transitioning from the swim to the bike.  The kids had to run through the sprinklers and practice getting dress while wet.  Well, one thing turned into another and it just turned into sprinkler time in the driveway.  The kids loved it though!

 

James loves swim camp!!

Skylar and James have been at swim camp this last week.  James absolutely did not want to leave.  He loves hanging out with older kids and they all seem to just love him.  They called him "little man" all week and gave him huge hugs when he left.  I think he just loved all that attention.  Here he is in the middle of the circle of all the big kids, just one of the gang.

The lake is open!

It is finally warm enough (both land and water) to get into the lake!  Yeahhhhhh!  The kids hopped right in and had a blast.  JT and I spent the day getting everything out and in the water while the kids played.  Now that everything is in, we can just play when we come!!!

 

 This is the life:)

 When Lotta woke up from her nap, she enjoyed the water also.

 Then we were in for some nice cuddle (and warm up) time!

Champion:)

 Today was my first triathlon of the season.  It was also my first time doing an Olympic length Tri.  I was very nervous about the 10K run, but turns out my swim and bike are so good, I didn't need to worry.  I had massive the first two miles of the run and had to walk, but I still somehow managed to pull out female champion.  I was shocked and quite proud of myself!

James' first golf tournament!

James is officially signed up for the Iowa junior PGA and played in his first tournament today.  He had some great holes and some not so great holes, but he had a lot of fun and wants to do more!

Passing on the game loving tradition!

Today we taught Skylar and James how to play Ticket to Ride.  They loved it and I think we have the next generation of gamers in the works!

Girls day out, courtesy of Mormor

Skylar's Mormor gave her a girls day out with her Mama for her birthday.  We did a little shopping and, of course, lunch at the Olive Garden!  Sorry the pictures are bad, but my phone has a crack right in front of the camera lens:(

Skylar's 11th birthday party!

Skylar could not contain herself-she was so excited for her party and I think we pulled it off!  We started out today with bag races, first with teams, then individuals.  Skylar and Avery won the first race, then they lost all the rest.  But they sure had fun!

 

 While we were waiting for one more guest to arrive, the girls decided to have a game of duck duck goose.

 When the last person arrived, we got right to the pinata!  I think that may have been a mistake since the girls were WILD the rest of the night.

 After the pinata, we decided to open gifts.  Skylar wanted a group hug to say thanks!

 After presents we went out to eat at the Pizza Ranch and then off to disco bowling!  The girls had so much fun!

 Charlotta would not let anyone help her!

 A happy birthday girl!

 Brennen loved to bowl!  He was also amazing.  He beat everyone (we all had bumpers) except for James and one other friend.  He seems to be one of those kids who are good at everything they touch!

 Charlotta tried one throw with the guide, but that was too "babyish".

 Everyone having a good time!

 Then it was home for cake, movies and a sleepover!

Golf club to the face

"Mom, come quick! Kellen hit Brennen in the face with a golf club!"  We dash over to grandma's (the whole time I am thinking on purpose or accident) and take Brennen to the ER.  They decided to use skin glue since it leaves less of a scar.  Today his face is HUGE!  The picture does not do it justice, but if you look at his lip in the smiling picture, you can see how the swelling pushes that whole side of his face down.  He looks a bit like a stroke patient.

 

Skylar's family party!

So, after Brennen spends the day recovering, we celebrate Skylar's birthday with the family.  JT and Jim have to go to Mexico tomorrow and we did not want them to miss out on it.  Skylar chooses her favorite dinner, Fondue!

  

James (and grandma) bought Skylar a new pair of shoes that she really wanted and here is the tackle hug! 

 James was so happy that she was so happy.  Every now and then they do do something that just melts your heart!

 New bag from the Swedes!  Skylar loves it!

 Another shot of the recovering face.

 Skylar's favorite cake, Red Velvet!

A biking day!

A beautiful SUNNY day, so we take advantage while we can!  Papa and Skylar head off on a 8 mile bike ride.  Skylar got a racing bike for her birthday (she is getting into Triathlons) and Papa is giving my racing bike a go.

 

Kellen has been dying to go on bike rides on his own bike, but the training wheels are so slow.  I told him as soon as he learned to ride a two wheeler, he can ride his own bike.  "Well mom, I am just going to go practice in the driveway."  And off he goes...

And he just gets it.  Now, he goes everywhere on his bike and he is so happy to have a little independence!