Soccer and the big "5"!

Easton and Luke just started soccer season. This is the first time they have played the sport, and this is the first sport ever for Luke. They really like their new cleats, their new soccer friends, and practice. They aren't too fond of the games, though. Too much running around in the hot sun, I guess. Luke is on the Lightning Bolts, and Easton is a Wild Bobcat. Soccer is going to pretty much run our lives for the next two months.

Max had to join in the fun!

Easton is the smallest on his team.

And Luke is the tallest on his team.

And little Miss Ginny is now 5 months old! It still seems like she was born only about a month ago. She is getting really big, although to others she still looks like she is 2 months old. She is a jabber-mouth, and loves to play all day. She is growing up fast, but not too fast, so it is the perfect speed for me!

She already loves her baby doll.

August Trip

We finally had the opportunity to take a vacation. It was a lot of driving, but it was well worth it to see cousins and just play all day. Plus it was a bonus to see Scott everyday for one whole week! We first drove to Utah and stayed with Scott's parents for a day. We played with cousins, horses, chickens, 4-wheelers, and went swimming at the Provo pool. Then we drove to Las Vegas for the Nelson reunion (Scott's mom's family). We stayed with his brother and played with even more cousins, and did a lot of swimming. We even went down to the Strip for about an hour and showed the boys the Lions at MGM and the Bellagio fountains. The reunion was good and it was even catered by Cafe Rio (good call, Justin!). We capped the weekend off by being able to see our new neice Delila be blessed in church (she is 5 weeks younger than Ginny). I even got to see my little sister and spend some time with her when we were in Vegas. We were surprised at how well our kids did. Ginny had the hardest time in the car, which surprised me. I thought she would just sleep the whole time, but I guess that wonderful newborn phase has passed. Thanks to everyone in Utah and Las Vegas that made 4 days of driving well worth it. We had a great vacation!

Swimmin' in the river

This is what Max did for the majority of the time.

The water was pretty chilly.

Ginny was just happy to be there.

Scott surprised us all yesterday by taking the afternoon off of work. As soon as he got home, we packed a picnic and headed down to the river. We've thrown rocks in the river, but the kids have never swam in it. It was pretty cold at first, but then the sun really started to heat things up. Once the kids got used to the water, they loved it! It was such a great afternoon to spend as a family.

The Butte

On our way to the top

We made it!

Max made it too, with a lot of encouragement (carrying).

Ginny was just along for the ride.

We've lived in Hermiston for over a year now, and we just hiked the Butte for the first time. We didn't know what trail to take to get to the top, so it took a little longer than was needed, but we made it, and the kids loved looking at Hermiston from way up high.

One Fish, Two Fish...

Easton and Luke finished another successful session of swim lessons. Easton will get to move up another level next year, and Luke is finally comfortable in the water and just wants to swim all over the place now. Looking at Luke this year, you would have never thought he was afraid of the water last year. Max and Ginny did good too walking laps with me around the pool in the double stroller. I am so excited for next year when all three boys will get to do swim lessons and I'll finally feel comfortable taking them to the pool during the day by myself.