Swim Season Is Here!

We actually hit the 90s last week here in IA.  I guess much of the country was experiencing an early blast of what August will be like.  Of course we didn't mind since it gave us a great excuse to go to the city pool.  If only it didn't cost me $18 to get myself and the kids in the door.  One of these years I will get a pass when I can muster up enough courage to take the kids more than once a week.  Really it's all the prep work just to get out the door to get there (primarily the sunscreening) that deters me.  Even so, they have a blast!

Sad to say, but I didn't really pay attention to how small this swimsuit was until I saw Jenna's tan line after we got home.  Let's just say we were only millimeters to indecency!

Playing with the new camera

I felt pretty lucky because I was able to get into a local 2 1/2 hour intro to DSLR photography class right after I got my camera and lenses.  I am SO glad I took it because I was able to learn some basics that have helped me to shoot without using the complete auto settings.  Our instructor recommended that we shoot in Aperture Priority and I have decided I am going to force myself to do just that until I can appropriately set the camera the first time and not after many test shots.  I'm getting better, but still need lots of practice.  

So here's a short photo shoot I did with my girls right after church a couple weeks ago.  Really this wasn't the best time of day, but I didn't want to have to change them into dresses again later in the day when the light was more favorable.  So you get what you get!

Yup, you get what you get!  Here is the true O'sie!

Hey girls, why don't you peek from behind the tree.  (O'sie has her own plan, but Jenna's going to make it work!)

Catch me if you can!  

Memorial Day Fun!

As the day started we had no particular plans.  In fact, Robby was going to go to the office and I was going to figure out how to occupy my four kiddos and perhaps get a few things done around the house.  Then spontaneity struck and we decided to attend the local parade with our longtime friends the Linley and Kjell and their four kids.  After the parade, our little party of 12 decided that a bike ride around the lake with a picnic lunch would be great.  And by the end of the day we went to their house for dinner and a very impromptu FHE.

Our little parade spectators

Grant shows that patriotic spirit!

These two boys don't smile at the same time, or at least for the camera they don't!

Part of our bike party

Here Jenna shows off our latest edition - the trail-a-bike!  It's great because we can all go on long bike rides now with the little girls riding in the burley trailer hauled by Robby or Li'l Robby.  Oh, and the trail-a-bike is attached to my new bike.  I've decided I really like bike rides!

No ride around the lake is complete without throwing a few rocks in the lake  (as long as your friend or sibling is not in the path of your rock -- we had two kids hit in the head with rocks)

I think this is the beginning of a great summer!