Lovin' the water

This summer has been so great...this is the first time in three years that I have had a tan...and I wish that I was exaggerating. Last summer the boys were a bit fearful of the water and I made it my mission and goal this year to get them to enjoy the water and learn to swim a bit. They are both improving and enjoying it more each time. This last weekend we were able to go swimming with my cousin, Alyssa, and with, Lee and Becca. We had such a good time together and they all helped with the boys in the water. Lee was super Uncle and the boys loved watching him do all sorts of tricks off the diving board and had so much fun when he would throw them up in the air and then catch them. Jett also watched the movie, Ice Age, for the first time. Giggled through the whole thing. He thought it was hilarious! The next day I would catch him laughing and I would ask him what was so funny and he would talk about one of the scenes that made him laugh:) Ah, to view life as a toddler full of life:)

Lifestyles of the NOT rich and famous

This is the quote my brother, Lee and his wife, Becca call themselves. They are proud owners of a 1980's speed boat and a wave runner and cross their fingers everytime they adventure out, that they will make it all day without something breaking down. Since they are both in the school system, they are both able to get out on the water and relax most of the summer, which is where they get there quote. Anyway, so on Wednesday my sister, Megan and her husband, Aaron were in town, so the Snider's invited us all down for an afternoon of relaxation on the water...and no kids:). We started off with some tubing (and four days later I am still sore). Then found a nice spot and all jumped in the water and did some floating. Throughout the afternoon we all took turns riding on the wave runner. I had never been on one before. I rode with Greg first, mistake. Fun for him, painful for me. So I learned to drive, much better. I can see why they can get so addicitive, they are so much fun. Then Lee drove the boat around while Greg and Aaron took turns jumping the waves so they could get some "air". They did so good and it looked like a lot of fun. That is, Greg, to the left, showing off his moves. Afterwards we met my parents back at Lee and Becca's house for a yummy dinner and a cornhole tournament. The Replogles held strong the first game but we were no competition for the Sniders or Zehrs. But hey, we had a whole afternoon to hang out with my family and enjoy their company, without kids. First time ever I believe. It was nice. Love my kids dearly. But it was nice! Thanks for a great day, Lee and Becca!

You can't look this good by dressing cheap...

oh, wait...you can!Okay ladies, I've got the inside scoop on cheap kids clothes for ya. The church where my MOTTTS group meets has a HUGE childrens resale twice a year...and it is awesome! Pretty much it is an enormous (great quality) garage sale with almost 200 sellers that are in the same place. Snap! That is what I am talking about. This year, the fall sale is on Sept. 6th and I am already getting giddy just thinking about it. Then as if it couldn't get better, Darcy and I just got asked to be on the committee. I am so pumped. It is such an awesome outreach and totally blesses the community...and my bank account. If you want some more information, just click on Children's Resale under our links. Happy shopping!

4th Festivities

Lots of good food, sun, water, awesome family and happy kids = a great 4th of July! We spent the entire day at my Uncle and Aunt's cottage and it was so much fun. In the past few visits the boys (mostly Bray) have been a bit fussy, but yesterday was great. Each time we go up the boys are so much better, more comfortable and more willing to try new things. They are each a bit hesitant by the mass of water, but yesterday they were both so brave and got in. It was so fun! All the kids were in, so they enjoyed watching them play and splash around, until the water traveled and sprayed them...not so funny then. Jett thought he was big stuff and kept saying, "This is so fun"! They have a slide so we thought then would be the time to try and get them down. Jett refused, but Brayden is up for anything. He liked it the first few times when we helped him down, then Mommy went with him, which created too much splash, inturn meant he was done:) But what a big boy. I think once the water gets warmer, he will enjoy it even more. Then Jett decided to be a dare-devil and get out of the tube and walk in the water. He loved it! He would get in and out and splash and throw balls (the picture to the left is of Jett and my cousin Lauren). I know this sounds like no big deal, but it is for us because of his fear of water. Very exciting. He had a very proud Daddy and Mommy. The past two summers have been wonderful. The cottage was orginally my grandparents, but then they needed sell it, so my Uncle Brian (my dads brother) and Aunt Linda (picture to the right) whom live in Florida bought it from them so that they could come up in the summers and live here. So for years we saw them once every two years and now we see them every summer all summer long! It's wonderful! It's so great reconnecting with them and having them see the boys grow up. Hope you all had a great 4th yourself!