Swimming Lessons

This year, the boys got to do their swimming lessons in and outdoor pool in Cowley. We missed the first sign-ups for swimming lessons in Lovell, so by the time we got around to signing up, the first two sessions were full for Travis's age. That meant that they were going to have to do lessons the week that we are going to be gone for a family reunion. We were able to get them done in Cowley and for the most part, they were pretty good. Still not as good as Lovell's, but at least they were learning and practicing their skills. Carson and Travis will finish up their two week lessons tomorrow. They have improved and loved every minute of being in the water. Landon had fun playing at the playground while his brothers were swimming and I could talk into watching his brothers swim only a few times!

Carson getting ready to practice his back float.

Carson kicking away.

Explaining how close he came to actually swimming the width of the pool with one breath. He was so close!

Travis getting ready to start his lessons.

Jumping in to one of the life guards.

Kirwin

Yesterday, we took a big group 4 wheeler ride with my family. My parents (in their razor), my brother Jason and his new bride (on a 4 wheeler), my grandparents (in their razor) and Christian and I (each on a 4 wheeler) and our boys all rode into the old Mining town of Kirwin. We drove for about an hour and a half up past Meeteetsee, Wyoming unloaded all our rides and then rode for another hour (about 12 miles) down to the mine. It was so beautiful! We followed, and even had to cross (like 4 times) the river. Once we got to our destination, we went and looked around at all the old buildings. It was really cool to see them and try and guess what they were used for. After a little hike around, we ate our lunches we packed in, and visited. It started to drizzle, so we figured we had better start heading back before it got any worse. It actually didn't last long and the ride back was really nice and went a lot faster than when we went in. I'm so grateful for the beautiful area that we get to live in and that we get to enjoy and explore it.

Our whole group before we got caked with dust.

Carson and Travis inside one of the buildings.

Our final destination.

A picture of the old mine.

This little guy was peeking at us as went walked by.

Travis and Christian checking out some old equipment.

peek-a-boo!

Yes...the guys were packin'. It was bear country and we didn't want to be unprepared!

On top of part of the old mine.

Our family.

A look at our rigs from across the river.

Carson enjoying his lunch on a rock.

Lunch time.

Beautiful!

Travis clearly enjoying his pop.

Enjoying some lunch.

Baseball 2013

We finally got Carson's 2013 baseball pictures last night. Here he his with his team!

Trip to the Mountain

Yesterday, we made in impromptu trip up the to the Big Horns. One of things to do on our Summer bucket list was to go fishing, so we decided to take a picnic lunch (another thing on our list) and do a little fishing. There were lots of people on the mountain, but to our surprise, there weren't many people fishing on Half Ounce Creek where we always go. We had lunch first and then headed out to do a little fishing. The boys were in heaven as they fished down the creek with their dad. Christian was really good about teaching them how to sneak up on the fish to catch them. Each of the older boys actually caught at least one fish on their own and we caught a total of around 10 in the couple of hours we were up there. Landon and I hung out behind everyone else and threw rocks in the creek and climbed on big rocks. It was such a nice day to spend as a family and hope we can do it again soon! 

Christian getting a pole ready for one of the boys.

Travis holding up one of the night crawlers.

Landon was so good about waving to each person that drove by while we were fishing.

My boys fishing away.

The first catch of the day!

One of the pretty purple flowers.

Travis fishing away.

Taking a time out for a picture!

Landon wasn't so sure what to think about the fish. He really wanted to touch them until it came down to it. We got him to hold one, but that was it. He just kept saying, "I see". 

Carson and one of his catches.

Travis' catch!

This picture is the best! Travis was so excited to pull another fish out!

Landon playing on one of the rocks while the older boys fished.

Where we were fishing. It's beautiful up there!

4th of July

The 4th this year was a little crazy in the weather department. The day started out really warm and nice. We headed to the lake around 11 and played around until around 2 when we met up with my mom and dad. Carson tubed a few times, Landon tubed with Christian and I both, Christian and I skied, and Carson tried his hand at skiing. He was so close to getting up...I think next time he will have it! 

Carson on the tube.

He got sprayed a bunch!

And caught a little air.

Muscle man Travis

Landon floating in the tube while we were stopped and the boys were playing in the water.

Mom and Landon in the tube.

Christian doing a cannon ball off the boat.

Playing in the water.

As soon as grandpa and grandma arrived, the boys ditched us and jumped in their boat.

I got to be the first one to try out grandpa's new tower on his boat.

 About 4, it started to cloud up, get choppy and start to rain, so we decided it was time to go. It s a good thing we got out when we did! It started to rain harder and harder as we got closer to Lovell and as we were coming through Lovell, it started to hail! It was a crazy afternoon and evening of rain, wind, thunder and lightening! We hurried and got cleaned up and then headed to grandpa and grandma Asay's house for an indoor picnic since it was raining. We did a few fireworks while the rain was lighter, but are going to have to continue our fireworks show another night when it's not raining.

This is the mess we came home to. It was crazy the amount of water we got in such a little amount of time!

Landon and cousin Britt sitting on the 4 wheeler while the fireworks were getting started.

We lined up a bunch of smoke bombs and lit them all at once and had a smoke bomb rainbow.

Carson shooting off some roman candles.

The group hanging out.

Aunt Kasi and Britt doing a sparkler.

Carson writing his name.

All the kids!

Travis having fun.

We slowly had to move under shelter because the rain was picking up.