Arkansas!

This past week we were able to make the 9 hour drive to visit my sister Marisa and her family in Bentonville, Arkansas! I hadn't been there since their daughter Aubrey was blessed and we wanted to see their new house and visit with cousins. We had a great visit and the kids loved playing. First we went to a jump zone and the kids loved it! Here are just some of hundreds of pictures.

The kids tried this Hurricane simulator and loved it! 

Channing spent most of her time in this little house!

The ship was Ella's favorite.

Cavin was excited they had basketball!

 Marisa was enjoying this :) Until the big rug burn on her elbow!

Aubrey was not afraid to try!

Aubrey took advantage of the dance time!

It was a fun jump zone. Only downfall...someone took Channing's shoes, so for a girl who loves her shoes she kept trying to find them...but they were quickly replaced at the store. After the jump zone we went to a fun waterpark but I didn't want to bring my camera at risk of it being stolen, so no fun pictures there. I'm not sure anyone should be sad....there was no chance of a picture of an 8 month along pregnant lady in a swim suit!! Ella and Cavin were pretty brave there and tried the big slides. The next morning we went to a fun park and then of course watched the World Cup Germany game!

Liam looking good in his shades!

The cousins!

Sisters!

Skipping rocks at the park!

After naps and soccer games we celebrated Liam's birthday a week early as he will be 4 soon!

 This was by far his favorite present and he played the garbage truck sounds on it over and over....of course it was from Grandma!

 Happy 4th Birthday Liam!

After the BBQ was movie night!

Cavin was lucky to lose his tooth that he has been wiggling for a month and the tooth fairy even came to Arkansas ;)

Liam was Cavin's little buddy and they had fun playing. We had a fun time and appreciated my sister letting us stay with them and see their cute home! Even the drive ended up not being too bad and the kids did great and my legs didn't fall asleep too much! Haha...success! We miss their family already!

Swim Lessons

This summer I decided to put the kids in swim lessons for a couple weeks everyday to help them improve their swimming. I feel like learning to swim is a life skill that is necessary and I wanted them to really learn! Ella knows how to swim but I wanted her to perfect her breathing and strokes. Cavin is pretty oblivious and he gets around by paddling but he goes under the water and thinks he has unlimited time before he has to come back up. He is the one who definitely needed the help! We took them to a pool close to us and I felt like the facility did a pretty good job teaching and the kids loved it.

They are in love with their goggles and for some reason anytime we are near water they want them on!

Cavin was nervous about lessons at first. He was afraid he would drown. I assured him at swim lessons they wouldn't let him drown. My favorite thing about Cavin is although he is scared of several things, it does not usually stop him for going forward and trying. Thankfully he didn't drown and I could keep my promise!

 Teaching him all sorts of things above water before they go in.

 His favorite part was at the end of each class they would let them go off the diving board.

He is doing pretty well, but he needs some practice still. I felt like it was well worth the money though.

Ella waiting her turn. Her class was a little bigger.

First success across the short length of the pool.

 She loves backstroke best even if she goes pretty crooked!

 Her instructor was pretty good at helping her learn the strokes.

They advanced to swimming the long length of the pool and she was pretty tired after each time! They had a good couple weeks and were really excited to go each morning and it was a great start to the summer!

Sweet and Sassy Girls Day!

Stacey and I have been friends for years and both of our oldest girls were born in May so we thought it would be fun to take them out for a fun mother daughter date to Sweet and Sassy for their birthdays! After all the craziness of life about a month after their birthdays we made it happen. The girls were super excited and Ella, even after only having been here once for a party, loves that place. The girls got their nails done, makeup, hair done, and got to walk the run way. 

Just finished nails and some makeup, now on to hair!

The finished product before the glitter was added ;)

 She even got glitter hearts on her face...

Walking the runway!

Aren't they pretty girls! They loved it and Stacey and I were happy to chat while they got all dolled up! I was even more glad it was Ella and not me :) Still learning the life of priss and glam....

Afterward we went to Sam Moon and got the girls a necklace and then went to BJ's for lunch. 

We had fun and I'm glad the girls are friends, it makes it much easier for Stacey and I to keep "playing" as well. Can't beat having a best friend around. I hope our kids will always know the importance of a loyal friend!

Soccer!!!

In honor of the last day of school and the world cup this month, we decided to take the kids to a Houston Dynamo soccer game last Friday night. Most people know the boys in our family are in love with (or should I say obsessed) with soccer. Cavin has loved every minute of talking about, playing, or watching soccer and thus the girls and I enjoy a game or two as well. 

It was warm but for Houston in June it was fairly pleasant outside especially when the sun went down and there was a light breeze. 

Channing mostly walked around since we were in the front row of our section and made sure the mascot was far away.

We had a fun family night and we are so excited about the World Cup which has started and been playing non-stop in our home! Go Germany and USA!!