37 Weeks Pregnant

In case you don't see my photos on Facebook, here's my most recent belly pictures. This is me at 37 weeks pregnant. Hopefully I only have one and a half to two weeks left (if I'm early like with the last two!)

The last picture was an outtake. I guess Taylor thought the belly picture was of her belly.

Swim lessons

For the past two weeks Taylor has been taking swim lessons. It's been a journey. This picture was taken before her first lesson. I had no idea that we were about to experience the depth of Taylor's fear. She wouldn't even go in the water for the first two days. I was a bit concerned...

This is the first time she finally got in. She clung to her teacher with a death grip!

The same day, her teacher got her to work her way up to putting her legs out, but she still held on for dear life.

The next day she loosened her grip a little with each turn.

I was so proud of her when I saw her do this on the 4th day!

By the end of the first week, she was using the kick board and floating on her back.

It was also a big deal when she finally agreed to stand in the water on her own instead of sitting on the side between each turn.

Charlie enjoyed playing in the baby pool during some of her lessons.

The last day was fun day. She even tried jumping in the water.

She also played Ring-Around-The-Rosey.

We still have a lot to learn, but overall it was a huge step in the right direction!!

4th of July

The kids have had a great holiday weekend. They got all decked out in their red, white and blue yesterday.

Then the MOMS club marched in the Monroe Parade.

The boys stayed and watched it with Grandma.

While the girls rode in it with me and Jessica.

They did great throwing the candy and Jessica was a real lifesaver pulling the wagon!

Afterwards, we enjoyed ourselves at the Monroe Festival. (It was HOT!!)

EnterTRAINment Junction

We tried out the local train-themed attraction today, Entertrainment Junction.

The kids loved riding Thomas the Train. They got to ride him three times!

Charlie wasn't as fond of this ride. He was yelling "Stop!".

The huge train displays were very neat. Charlie loved pushing the interactive buttons.

Winton Woods Camping Trip

The kids and I went on another camping trip with Jessica, Grace, Jacob and Grandma.

This time we all stayed in one cabin at Winton Woods.

Charlie discovered his love for rocks. Luckily there were plenty by our picnic table!

We had lots of crafts and activities for the kids including making nature placemats,

birdfeeders,

patriotic jewelry,

and going on a nature scavenger hunt.

We also visited some local playgrounds and attractions in the park. Here's some pictures from Parky's Ark.

Here's one of the playgrounds:

Of course a highlight of the trip for the kids was roasting marshmallows.

The boys liked eating s'mores without the marshmallows. We called them "chocolate sandwiches" (Although truthfully, Jacob could have done without the graham crackers)

Another highlight for thhe girls was sleeping in the loft with Grandma.

Before we left the final day we visited Parky's Farm.

Charlie was so brave for his first pony ride.