Summer Fun at the Pool

This summer, we have no big plans.

Mostly, we hang out at the pool.

Cody has swim team practice every morning at 7:30am. He loves it.

Here he is getting ready for a practice race against some of his teammates.

There aren't a ton of swimmers this year - so he often races the girls.

On your Mark,

Get Set.....

GO!

Of course, Kai is just waiting (really lounging) before her swim lesson.

This totally reminds me of swim lessons at Helix HS in the summer.

Wouldn't you say, mom?

Keeping the twins High and Dry is really the biggest challenge.

Above is Ben - up to no good, I promise.

Dane is usually good as long as snacks are provided.

We always come back later so they can swim themselves into submission and sleep great that night!

Plus, even though I am as big as a horse, it feels nice to be weightless in the water.

Photos by Jessica

This is Ben

This is Dane.

Shoes for Baby Girl

Can a little girl really have TOO many shoes?

IMPOSSIBLE.

Thanks to my sister Shannon and her little girl Ellie we have ballet slippers to Vans for Baby #5. We will do our best to wear them, but surely someone else needs some cute baby girl shoes, right? Let me know and I can send them your way.

These are for a little later - still cute.

Happy 65th Dad!

I know you may not be 21, but we are glad you still feel that young on the inside!

From Hackensack, NJ to Turkey, to Bolivia, to Ironton, OH, to Logan, UT, to Vietnam - My dad has been everywhere.

But we are sure glad he decided to marry our mom and stick around here for a while.

Here is most of the motley crew (sorry Laura!) that has kept you company for the last 40 years or so.

Okay - so here is the entire motley crew.

And they just keep on comin'......

Thanks dad for all the good times over the many years - hope you have a wonderful 65th. We love you much!

Cody is 9

Happy Birthday Cody!

I can't believe he is 9! We love Cody so much. He has a great smile and tremendous enthusiasm only matched by his great disappointment at times. He helps his mom tremendously and has always been a blessing to our family. This year we just celebrated with a cake and a trip to the Rockies Game with dad. He is a great kid. We love you lots Jedi Master Frodus.

Here is Cody just after he was born - 10:10am and June 1st, 2001.

And what follows are some of my favorites of Cody.

"Frogga Fretta"

Cody and Rufus. They were both just pups.

Cody was about 2 and a half in this picture. Ben still wears this sweatshirt and looks like the spittin' image of Cody.

Not sure what he expects out of Pre-school, but he was ready for anything (plus some hoops) on his first day.

This is the top of Trailridge Road at the Continental Divide.

Coronado Beach - Typical Cody. Always in motion.

First Day of School this fall. Looking good for the Ladies.

Easter this year. Looking good Code.

At Grandma D's in San Diego for Spring Break.

Cody is ALWAYS helping with the twins and they L-O-V-E him. Worship might be even a better word.

Thanks Gma & Gpa Larsen for the Speedo for his Birthday. I think he likes it a little too much!

Happy 85th Great Gpa Thurman

Happy 85th Birthday Great Grandpa Thurman!

Memorial Weekend in Great Bend, Kansas was spent with the Thurman clan for Gpa's 85th Bday. Saturday we had a get together at the family farm in Rozel that Uncle Doug still farms.

Here is the whole crew - all kids, grandkids and great grandkids.

Notice the matching T-shirts - no reunion or celebration is serious without T-shirts. (I am feeling a little ashamed of not wearing one now that I see the pic. Didn't think one would fit over me and baby 5).

All of Grandpa's Grandkids. I have to say as a "significant other" of one of the grandkids that it is amazing to me how wonderful all of Gpa Thurman's offspring are. I really have never met such genuinely nice and wonderful people. They are all downright gracious. Really a beautiful family.

And of course here is our side of the fam.

These are all the feet of the relatives. It seemed important at the time....

And the fun begins. Dane and Ben have been obsessed with Trucks and Tractors. Mostly that is what they do - point and say "Da!"

Uncle Doug had a "gaggle" of cousins in the combine cab with him. He was generous enough to let a few of them steer. They loved it!

Dane and Ben had to settle for the outside of the cab.

No one wanted to see the motorcycle busted out - for everyone's safety, but Brett had promised Kai a motorcycle ride so there it is.

I really didn't take enough pictures, but was a little busy chasing small ones around sharp farm equipment. Here are some other pics from the day.

Thanks to Pam and her sisters and brothers for all the preparations and planning. They pulled it off. It was well worth it!