Compost Love

Our silly puppy has found the compost pile. It is her favorite place to run to when she is let outside to play. She typically comes back with a cob of corn, or watermelon. Of course, she eats anything she can fit her little jaws around. I'm not sure if other puppies are quite so indiscriminate in what they eat, but she seems to have no problem eating ANYTHING.

What is so funny is that she thinks she is doing something sneaky and she carefully guards her prize. She won't let any of us near her with her goodies! I had to zoom in with the camera on her tonight to capture these pictures of her. Very funny!

What'cha got, Elsa?
Grrrr, stay away from my watermelon!

You're getting too close for my comfort. I'm taking this elsewhere.

I'm ready to grab it and run as soon as you take another step closer to me.

Swim Team
The kids have been having a great time on the Elks Swim Team this summer. Bay is really doing well...he is doing more swimming and less playing in the water, which is pretty monumental for him! Eric has moved up to the second practice, which is a big deal to him since now he swims with the older age group. Leah is not doing swim team yet, but she sure is a fish in the water. She plays in the baby pool during practice, but is swimming all around our pool at home in the afternoons.
Below are a couple of pictures of the kids doing their swim thing!

Eric, close-up

Bay and his buddy, Joey

Eric just finishing his backstroke race

Bay doing backstroke.

Bay, lined up for a race. Love the enthusiasm!

Take your mark, Eric!

Summer Fun

Our summer has been full of lots of activities. I don't want to make a long post, and it's been a while since I posted due to the busyness that summer brings to our house, but I will give a few snippets.

Dennis' sister Karen, and her husband, David, came to visit for a few days. We enjoyed their company, and the kids did too. David (who we haven't ever really gotten to know) was great to have around...the kids loved him and he and Eric even went out canoeing one afternoon. Karen got to spend lots of time with her mom, which was the main purpose of the visit :)

We celebrated the Fourth of July with just our family this year. We were considering a last minute weekend sailing trip, but couldn't quite pull it off. After a great cookout of slow-roasted ribs and fresh corn on the cob, we did our own little fireworks before going out on the boat to see the big fireworks. Dennis surprised us all this year by letting Eric set off some fireworks! Below is a picture of Eric with the blow torch. Of course, Dennis had to scare his pants off by making a big "Bang!" sound the first time Eric went to touch the fuse with the torch! Eric did a great job and was responsible and safe. Above is a picture of us watching Eric. Granni was sitting down with Bay and Leah, and Elsa, always vying for attention, had to get on her lap as well. Silly dog ;)

Eric recently had a 1/2 birthday party in our pool. He had delayed a party this year in hopes of being able to have a pool party this summer. The first one was rained out, but we rescheduled and the boys had a blast. There were just 5 boys, but I filled their time with pool games, diving contests, relays, an obstacle course, water balloon races, and more, and the time flew by. It was a good thing too! Ten year olds sure do get into trouble rather quickly if left to themselves for more than a few minutes!!!!