Summer 2012

We had a fun but more relaxed summer this year. With Ryan out of work, we couldn't spend money and go on road trips like we had wanted to. The end of May, the kids took swim lessons. Drew and Kylee have taken lessons before and have done really well, but it's been with a girl in our ward in her backyard pool. This year, we had to change and did them at Mesquite Jr. High. Drew had an awesome teacher, but I think the big pool made him nervous. He had a rough first day but then finished the rest of the week great. The 2nd week into his lessons, he freaked out. He didn't want to swim under water. For some reason, he has a phobia of going under water. So next year, we are going to work with him 2 weeks prior to help ease his fears. Kylee did great but wouldn't stop talking through out her lessons, and her teachers didn't quite know how to handle the situation. Good thing she likes the water and pretty much knows what to do, but I told her no swim lessons next year if she talks. Then there was Bryce. I made Ryan take him to the Parent/Tot class. He loves baths so we thought he would love the pool. Wrong! He was horrible and wouldn't do anything. Oh well. Maybe next year will be a better year for swim lessons. (Sorry no pics. I am horrible at documenting things with pictures)

Then in June, Drew and Kylee had an art class once a week, which they loved. It was a nice break to get them out of the house. Shortly after art classes started, my sister came to visit with her 3 kids from North Carolina. We had lots of fun hanging out and doing stuff with them and the other cousins here in AZ. We went to the train park and rode the trains, played at the splash pad, and ate out way too much but the play areas are great entertainment for AZ summers. We were sad to see them leave, but can't wait to play again next summer. Through out the summer, we also did the Summer Movies at Harkins. My neighbor got tickets with me so it was fun to go with her and her kids each week. Don't know if we will do it again. I think I would rather just rent a movie each week, rather than fight the crowds and not always have the most entertaining movies for my kids.

 We spent lots of days chilling and relaxing. The kids loved playing in the water in the backyard. Kylee refused to change out of her swimsuit. She has quite the imagination that made boring days more fun.

 This is Bryce on our 1 and only road trip we took this summer. We went to St. George toward the end of July. Thank heavens for DVD players in the car. That's the only way Bryce survived and lots of snacks and treats. Here, he is entertaining himself by sticking the marshmallows on his face. It was quite hilarious at the time. I wanted to go to San Diego this summer, but I guess there is always next year. And we never made it to the cabin but have that planned for October. I love summer but always happy when school starts back up.