Learning:

Avery and Silas are learning so much at swim lessons!  Today they swam half the width of the pool on their own.  Avery says that his goal for tomorrow is to swim the entire width on his own :O)  At the end of their daily lesson, they look forward to jumping off of the diving board.  This video is from today when they BOTH were able to jump in and swim to the side unassisted.  Check it out:

Moments:

"If we take care of the moments, the years will take care of themselves."

Pictures again! :O)

I put my memory card into the slot on the computer today and was SHOCKED to find 60 new pictures!  That doesn't include the photos I have taken on my phone!!!  I've taken lots of pictures this week and failed to share any so far.  So, here is an update on our crazy busy week via pictures and a little commentary:

I know I shared a picture of Avery on his birthday, but here he is opening his gifts.  He got a kickstand for his bike and a scoreboard clock for his room:

Yes, it was 7:23 am.  He had woke at a little before seven and had a cupcake for breakfast (like Silas is having in the background here!)  And then we plugged in his scoreboard to see if it worked.  It does work and even shows the date and temperature! 

Moving on to pictures from swim lessons... which are slightly out of order, but bare with me here... Here is Avery on Day one jumping in from the side and then he would tread water back to the side of the pool.

Silas itched his nose as a stall tactic for his turn to jump in! ;o)

Nolan was VERY upset to have to stay in the baby pool with mommy.  He wanted to take swim lessons too!

This was Day 3.  They jumped off the diving board with a little help swimming back to the side!

Silas' turn!

Helping Avery back to the side...

Look at the chest/arms on this kid.  Can you tell he does the monkey bars several times, EVERY day???  He's built like a swimmer!

His second dive.  I think he looks a bit timid about it!

Look at his poor instructor... He was worn out from treading water while all of the kids jumped in!  They have a great instructor though.

This was Nolan playing in the water on Day 1.  He's a little fish for sure, with little fear in the water!

Chaille would not hear of not getting in as well!  She is also a water bug.  I've been trying to keep plugs in her ears because of her tubes, but she's such a busy body that it is hard!

This was also from day 1.  Silas learning to tread water.

Avery trying to learn as well, but not quite keeping his head above water.  On day one, he mostly pushed off of the bottom and took a breath before he went BACK under!  He's learning though!!

This is from VBS, which the kids have been attending at our church, BRCC, each night from 6:30 to 8:30.  They have both been VERY good, but I've been helping with the preschool, so I have more pictures of Silas than of Avery.

My one picture of Avery from the week so far!

Silas learning the songs on Monday night!

Prayer time!

Playing games on the first night.  I have been leading/helping with preschool games each night.

Craft time!

On the second night, Silas started bringing his friend, Bayleigh, with him!  Here they are together.  Aren't they adorable???

Learning more songs together!

During swim time today, instead of swimming with Nolan and Chaille, we walked over to the park across the street!  Chaille loved the swing!

Saying "cheese!"

With everything to play on at the park, all Nolan wanted to do was see the ducks and throw rocks into the river!

This face is his "what's that smell?" face!

Milk face :O)

Deep thoughts...

Our gorgeous girl!

Thanks for taking the time to catch up and for following us on over to our new blog address!  Things will slow down for us some after this crazy week!!!  Tonight is the last night of VBS and Avery's last baseball game for the season... After that we can settle back into a more "normal" routine (although we do have another week of swim lessons!)

SEVEN!!!!

Our sweet boy is 7 today!  Happy Birthday, Avery!!

Seven years and one hour ago, our first baby entered our lives.  We have been touched in so many wonderful ways by Avery and his presence.  Avery, you have such a soft heart.  You are a willing helper, and a people pleaser.  Your smile and laughter light up any room, and you love to make others smile and laugh as well.  You are incredibly good with little children, especially the babies.  I rely on your help so much.  I can't tell you what a BLESSING you are to this family.  I'm very proud to call you my son!!!  May God protect you and guide you all of the days of your life.  I love you, my precious boy.  Happy Birthday!

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!

Our Daddy takes good care of us.  He is a hard worker and he also likes to take time to have fun with us.  Yesterday, just in one evening we played ball together, see:

Daddy even helped Nolan with his glove, repeatedly:

And Daddy helped Avery get his fishing pole ready:

And Daddy LOVED being with us while we fished:

And Daddy sat with Silas while he fished (Silas doesn't let daddy get too far away if he can help it!):

And this is from a few days ago, but Daddy entertained Chaille while we waited on the doctor:

Us kids think we have the BEST daddy in the world.  He treats us great, loves our mom, teaches us things, spends lots of time with us, plays, works hard to provide for us, and is all around a HERO in our house!  We love you, Daddy!!! Happy Fathers Day!

Our new "Chief"

Today Steve was named Chief of the Training division with the Fire Department.  This is a great honor and he has truly EARNED this position.  He is a hard worker who is so dedicated to his profession.  The following are the words that the former training chief, in the e-mail he sent announcing Steve's promotion: "I am also pleased to announce that Lt. Steve Frye has been appointed to the position of Training Chief of the department. Lt. Frye has preformed brilliantly as the division’s training officer. It has been an absolute pleasure to have worked with him during the last 14 months and whatever good there is in the fire training division today, it is there because of him. I wish him all the best."

We are so proud of our husband and father!  He's not only great at home, but at work too.  What a blessing this man is to our family!!!

Chaille's Tubes

Anyone who knows Chaille, knows that she is an incredibly mild mannered baby.  This morning, as I woke her at 5:15 to go get her tubes put in was no exception... She was wonderful!  She laughed all the way there, as we watched the sun rise in the rear view mirror.  She smiled and showed off for all of the nurses, and was just a joy to be around.  When the nurse carried her off, she didn't fuss or act like she was scared.  And when they brought her back to us, she was somber, but absolutely GREAT!  We know that she was not only in some amount of pain, but also TIRED from her early start, but in spite of it all, she was just wonderful!  The nurse said that she never cried for them at all.  And they had a new nurse in charge of recovery who had Chaille as her first patient.  Our room nurse said that the recovery nurse was spoiled by having such a great patient for the very first one ;o)  We are so proud of our sweet girl.

On her way out to the car, the nurses gave her a get well balloon, to which she said "YAY!" all the way home (well, up until she dozed off, that is....)  Here are a few pictures of our sweet Chaille on the day of her "procedure:"

Playing with Daddy's badge (speaking of which... watch for an update blog about Daddy and his fire department news!)

Playing on the floor in the surgery center room.  She was so happy all morning!!!

Back at home after her nap.  She looks like she feels better to me :O)

The balloon from the nurses.  In Chaille's words... "YAY!"

The fun we've been having :)

Sorry for the lack of updates lately.  We put a "kiddie" pool out back.  We've been enjoying it (and the boys have had haircuts too!)  Enjoy the pictures, and I hope to be back soon for more updates!