gymnastics

We decided to give gymnastics a try this summer. Ella was invited into a special "Super Tykes" class that is basically "team gymnastics" for really little people. Mostly I think because she has no fear of anything. She ended up in a class with only 2 other girls and they are 3 peas in a pod. Ella has a smile on her face the whole time with those little girls. They have even made up their own special little "locker room". The coaches think they are a hoot! Ella is doing really great at gymnastics. It is amazing some of the stuff that she is trying already. Even handstands on the beam (with some help from the coaches of course)! The girls get to tumble, jump, run, climb, flip and swing for an hour - no wonder she loves it!

Say "Cheese"

Mommy thought the girls looked too cute!!

St. Croix with Steve and Debi

Matt's Aunt and Uncle and their 2 boys were in town this summer and we had a blast taking them down the St. Croix! The boys had a ton of fun and even got a chance to try kayaking. Although, I'm not sure who had more fun the kids or Steve!!

Madelyn had so much fun she literally wore herself out. She fell asleep right on the bottom of the canoe and was so tired that she didn't even wake up when we beached the canoe!

Fun times at the Cabin 2010

We spent a week at the cabin for the 4th of July this year. We had so much fun. The kids caught some fish, did a ton of swimming, jumping off the dock and tubing. The neighbors even borrowed us their tube (and their kids) for an hour. It was so much fun we bought one of our own. The kids (including Madelyn tried out the new tube). They love it. The tables have turned....last year we were begging the kids to try tubing, this year they are begging us to go tubing. Literally 5 minutes after they have just spent 1/2 hour on the lake they are asking "grandpa when can we go tubing". Collin got flipped off last weekend and since then he is a little dare devil. He looks around the lake looking for the biggest waves and hopes that grandpa will speed them right over them. Ella begs and begs to go tubing but then spends the entire time looking terrified. But then she will keep asking to go again and at the end of the day she will always say that her favorite part of the day was tubing. Madelyn of course has no fear and goes with the flow. She laughs and squeals the whole time and throws a fit when it is time to be all done. Collin and Ella tried snorkeling. They both did pretty good - Ella was crazy, she was able to swim all over the place with that snorkel and never came up for a breath! We also had a new kayak. Collin really figured this out, and quickly was able to manuever all over the place. We saw a beautiful rainbow right on Lake Moses and of course went to the 4th of July parade. Collin and Ella love this and couldn't wait to collect all their candy. Madelyn was also very excited, because Collin and Ella were excited. But when we got to the parade and people started throwing candy "at her" she totally freaked out and spent the first half of the parade on mommy's lap - safe from these crazy people. Collin and Ella of course were fish in the water - but Madelyn surprised us - she was also a fish. By the end of the week she was swimming all over the place and even jumping off the dock all by herself.

The kids each took a turn fishing with grandpa in the morning. Collin caught 15 fish and Ella caught the biggest fish. Ella's BIG fish....

Collin and Ella catching minnows with the neighbors giant net.

Madelyn's "twirling"

Along with her attachment to "blankie" and "nukie", Madelyn has taken to "twirling" her hair when she is tired. She wakes up every morning and after every nap with twirls, twists and knots that are next to impossible to get out. At least half the time I have get the scissors out and start cutting....

Basketball Camp

Collin's first taste of Basketball. He did a four day camp - just an hour a day. He REALLY liked it, and he did pretty good. He was able to shoot, dribble and learned some of the rules of the game. He was very excited to win a pair of shorts for being able to tell what the trigger finger was. He had a lot of fun! Too bad height isn't one of his strong traits!!

St. Croix Canoe trip

We did our canoe trip down the St. Croix with Gandy's this year. The kids of course had a great time. Collin paddled literally the whole way - all 6 miles! Mommy got to relax in the middle.

The kids got such a kick out of standing still and letting the minnows nibble at their toes!