Swimming Lessons

Max just finished his first week of swimming lessons. Everything they've taught in class, I've already taught to him. But he listens better to his teachers and LOVES swimming with other kids.

One of his favorite games they play is Red Light, Green Light. It's very simple. They're supposed to kick really hard when they hear green light; kick slowly at yellow light; and stop at red. 

This was the first time they did it. By the end of the week, he was a pro. (Sorry the video isn't very good. Elizabeth was trying to get in the pool while I was filming)

 he also loves his goggles. We bought them a couple of days before his first lesson and he wore them for a few hours each day. Elizabeth did too. 

We look forward to going to swimming lessons again this week. 

Some Before and After Pics of the House

This is just a quick post. Mom was saying she wanted to see some more pics of the house, so here they are. 

Before pic of Front Room from just inside the front door

From just about the same spot. Obviously a bit different with lighting and furniture too.

Kitchen from entry from main room. You can't see the nasty florescent lighting that used to be there.

From same spot

Another shot of main room from opposite side the room.

Just a small post with some fun pics!

Hey everyone, this is Neils posting. I have a ton of pics that I've been snapping lately, so I thought I'd post them. Everything is going great! House projects are almost done, (just a little painting left), work is great (especially with the up coming trip ;), and we're making some great friends. Emilie and the kids will be coming to AZ the last week of Aug until the first week of Oct. So yes, they will miss my birthday, but we'll make up for it when they get back.

We love the rain!! I don't know if you'll be able to tell, but in this particularly bad storm we got an inch and a half of rain.......in an hour!!!

This is the kids eating some strawberries,but really it's just me showing off some of my handy work. Projects done since we moved in; wood floors in main room, wainscotting in main and kitchen, tile in kitchen, refinish cabinets, new light fixture and fan in main, recessed lighting in kitchen, and of course Emilie on the painting....I really don't like painting. So, as you can see we have been busy. I wanted to atleast finish some projects before we move out of this house.

Does the beach ever get old? This time we tried to dig to China. We only made it waste deep, but we found the cool shell in Max's hand and then he let my bury him, so it was worth the effort.

I think Max got this idea from "Kipper the Dog" or something. Sand boat...check, bucket for a steering wheel...check, a seat for his sister...oops.

Good thing it's easy to change that with a little more sand!

Welcome to Georgia!!

We made it!!

After 3 days and 3 hours of driving, the kids, my sister and I made it safely to Georgia. It was a long, but beautiful drive (for the most part). I could NOT have done it without my sister Florence. She kept the kids busy and happy. Thank you Flo!!

This is our house. We're not completely unpacked so pictures of the inside will be for a later date.

Georgia is hot and humid. It is full of animals and to my horror BUGS. Max and Elizabeth love chasing the squirrels in the backyard, holding the turtle Neils found and seeing the frogs that have come out after a storm. 

We've taken a few breaks from moving in to check out the beach. It's about 45 minutes away, which can be a long drive. Max takes a nap (since he doesn't want to take one anymore although he still needs them),

And Elizabeth eats (notice the dirty carseat) and whines.

But once there, everyone is as happy as can be!

 Since the water is warm, we actually swim. Elizabeth LOVES the waves and is fearless. She doesn't want to be held and she refuses to even hold anyone's hand. It's a little scary!

Relaxing!

Snacking.

It's been great being back together!!! We'll post more soon... 

We went to San Francisco for the long weekend and stopped by the Oakland temple on the way. It was beautiful. We went in the morning so it was hard to get any good pictures with the sunlight.

The following day we went to the San Francisco Zoo. Max loved it, of course. But his favorite things were the train ride and the children's park (don't need to go to a zoo to do either of those).  Elizabeth had fun too. She pretty much loves anything where she can sit and see...basically anything but her car seat.

Here is Max standing in front of a lake at the zoo. There is a bald eagle somewhere back there.

Max kept wanting to sit in the stroller, so we just stuck them next to each other and the ended up loving it.

and a side view

We also did the whole golden gate bridge thing, but didn't get out of the car  so the pics aren't that great.