Swim Camp

About a year ago, I was reading my cousins blog about this amazing swim camp she heads up each year for homeschooling families in her area. I was dripping with envy as I read about and looked through her pictures. "Perfect! This is exactly what I want for my kids", I thought. I didn't know if it was exclusive or not, but I asked her if there was anyway I could attend this year with my three oldest. Her response was a quick "YES" and I made all the preparations necessary to make it happen.

Idaho is a special place. I loved my time there while attending Ricks college for two years. There is something unique and wholesome about Idaho. Driving up to our location was so fun for me, as I reminisced about the good 'ole days of school. So many friends, so many new experiences, some of my very favorite years of my life were lived in Idaho. It was so fun to show my kids where I used to stomp around. When I told them how much I loved it here and that this is where I went to college, Abigail wanted to know if I loved it because of the giant sprinklers I could run in with my swim suit? Ha! What a great idea that I never did, darn it! Yes, the never ending farm fields with the giant sprinklers was a highlight for Abby on the drive.

Anyway, five days of roughing it in a tent, three days of cold and rain,  and two hours a day of swim lessons for the kids was worth any hassle.  (picture by Jessica, sure hope you don't mind that I stole this from you). I don't think this picture was taken this year, but this is pretty much how it looked for the first three days we were there.

Fortunately, the pool is a natural hot springs so it was divinely warm! And while the kids swam, I hung out the entire day in the warm pool house. I couldn't believe the progress the kids were making each day in their lessons. By the end of the week, I was completely blown away at what they had learned and accomplished!

I feel totally confidant that this summer the kids are going to have a blast in our pool!

The times that they weren't in the pool, one of the moms brought up some crafts for the kids to do. They made lanterns, dream catchers, necklaces, & masks.

The days it wasn't raining, they were able to explore in "the woods", pick dandelions until their hearts were content, and eat enough s'mores to last all summer long!
Hannah's new bff - Miss K

 The woods

One night was "skit" night and another was story time around the fire.
My cousin Tami and friend Boo

 Cousin Tracy, reading stories

Nikki came up with her three girls this day. Hannah was so happy to have Grace up there with us.

 Does anyone else think that Hannah looks so grown up here?

It was so fun to be with my older cousins. Ones I've known all my life, but never really "known". Tracy is a most miraculous person, who has helped create a homeschooling environment that would blow the socks off of anyone who thinks homeschoolers are nuts! She is fun, funny, uplifting, inspiring, and loved by just every Tom, Dick, and Harry that has ever met her! And most importantly, the families up there are THRIVING in their homeschools.

Me, Tami, Tracy, Nikki - cousins

Abigail made a new friend, B, who I thought was positively adorable!

Nathan pal'd around with Annesly, Tracy's littlest girl. It was almost impossible to get these two out of the water.

There was so much to love about this week. I missed my baby and my Aaron so much and wished they could have been there with us (although it would have been a pretty miserable trip with Joe since it was so cold during the night). All the fun with my cousins, all the fun meeting and making new friends, all the things I learned from the other moms, who are truly some of the most outstanding moms I've ever met, couldn't compare to the quality time I had with my kids. We swam together, read the scriptures and prayed together each night, and had great discussions about things we were reading. Phone reception was pretty bad up there, so it was a week of being unplugged from distractions like, the internet, blogs, instagram, and more. I hope we can do this again. I hope this becomes a regular thing for us to bond and regroup as a family. I hope next time Aaron and Joe are with us.

Loving the scenery

Love Idaho!

Hannah's Last Day

School ends next week, but we are heading out on Monday to a week long swim camp for the kids, so today was her last day. She has thoroughly enjoyed school this year. Her teacher was top notch! She made ample friends, and excelled at both math and reading. Today was the schools annual dance festival. It was delightful! Hannah was adorable and, I must add, one of the best little dancers out there. The school theme this year was, "Mission Possible" and every grade put on a dance. 1st grades dance was to the Inspector Gadget. Darling!

Getting ready to perform

Performing - front and center!

Beloved Mrs. Williams

When I picked Hannah up today for her last day, she was sad. Broke my heart a little. She is going to miss her friends and miss the wonderful teachers there. I won't say I didn't second guess myself all day after seeing this fun program and looking through all the things Hannah has accomplished this year in school. I hope and pray that homeschooling will be a success and that we will be able to create wonderful experiences and memories too.

Farewell 1st grade! It's been a great year!!

Snakes

I don't care if they are great for your gardens, I hate them. And we've got a couple, at least.

My boy, on the other hand, thinks they are great fun!

I was dying!

Dance Recital

I cried a lot during the girls dress rehearsal and chuck it up to pregnancy, but I'm not really kidding myself, I'm a sucker for tears nomatter if I'm growing a child or not! It is darling to watch your children accomplish stuff. It is fun to reminisce to the days of my own dancing....12+ years! They were both excited and nervous to perform. Hannah said she thought she might throw up! But once they were on stage, (especially Hannah) they were having a ball! It is fun to dress them up real fancy adn think there are no cuter children on this planet than my own!

 Abigail with Ms. Holly - her teacher

 Sick and tired of all the pictures.

Mothers Day

This is my reality! I love my little pod. We are not perfect. We are a normal, typical family that loves eachother and fights with eachother. They call me mom, mommy, or mama. I adore them! I want to hide from them. They teach me daily. They test me daily. I have the greatest and most important responsibility in the world! Even on my worst days of motherhood, I wouldn't trade it for anything!

That's My Boy!

Trying hard to catch up on some documenting of family events. Nathan had his preschool graduation the week before we left for California. His beloved preschool teacher moved to Texas so she had to cut school short. We miss her! She was an incredible source of goodness for every child she taught. She was a friend to me and an example of stalwart, righteous living that I so looked up to. I'm so sad that my other children will not be blessed by her direct influence. I'm so grateful that both Hannah and Nathan were. When I asked Nathan what kind of gift he'd like to give Ms. Tecia, he said flowers. Sweet boy!

Nathan's little duet/solo

 

Proud older sister

 Proud Mom and Dad

CaLiFoRnIa

Wedding. Family. Sunshine. Swimming. No sleep. Dogs. Dressing up. Fun! Fun! Fun!

Uncle Mike and Aunt Jenna tied the knot! And Aaron officiated their wedding. Happy day!

 

Flower girl and Ring bearer

Keeping occupied during the ceremony

Being loved on

Nate and his new buddy were a little bored during the short ceremony. Boys!

Sure was a beautiful wedding. Jenna was a stunning bride.

The rest of our visit we enjoyed the 80+ weather and did LOTS of swimming.

We ate dinner two night in a row at the COOLEST restuarant ever! Tree house for the kids, farm animals to feed. Lots of things to play on and in.

Pictures of 4 generations

I am not caught up on the sleep that was lost....but I never will be I'm afraid. Sure was worth every minute of being with family in California. Woke up to snow the day after we got back. Blah!