Olympic Swimmer!

Abigail just completed her two week Daddy-and-me swim lessons! What a trooper! By the end, there were no more tears...just smiles and clapping for her classmates. Here are some photos from the last day (which included a diving board!!):

Class always started out with the kids choosing a dive ring to hang onto and do different activities with. These were their "ring fish".

The ring fish is on my head!

I'm learning with my instructor, Mr. Johnny.

Practicing my "big kicks" with Daddy.

Here I am swimming from Daddy to Mr. Johnny, my swim instructor. "Super Girl"!

10.0, right? Look at that form!
I officially graduated and received a certificate! Look how proud Dada is!

Here we are after class, Momma, Dada, and Mr. Johnny. I'm so proud of myself!

Here I am with Aunt Cat who came to see me swim and took many of these photos. Thanks, Aunt Cat!! Love you!

Visit from Mid-West Widder and Miller Families

We had a wonderful visit from our Madison family. This was our first time meeting my cousin's son, Sam. That would mean he and Abi are second cousins? He's such a cutie as you can see from the photos below. We love you guys!

Kelly, Abigail, Sam, and Liz

Kelly, Abi, James, Eric (in back), Jesse, Sam, Liz, Aunt Nancy, Uncle Trip

Abi hanging out with her Uncle Eric...buddies.

Pirate Party

So, my friend Shana is the new party diva. She (and her family) did an amazing job on her daughter, Isabella's, 4th birthday party this last Saturday. There were pirates, kids were walking the plank, searching out treasure, and pulling heads off of pirate pinatas. Famtastic. I have to include a few photos to share the fun!


Captain Isabella led this motley crew through her birthday celebration!

Even pirates have to blow out candles on their birthday!

Captain Isa showing her mates how walkin' the plank be done.

Wait, pirates don't smile!

That's more like it, Abi!

Ok, so somewhere, there's a headless pirate running around. We won't name any names!

You can only be a pirate for so long before having to strip down and play in the fountain. It's hard work being a pirate!!

Thanks, Beyms for a great party. Happy birthday, Isabella. Four stand for FUN!!

Summertime Lounging

The three of us have been doing alot of relaxing this summer while James is off on summer vacation. Last Friday we went to the beach and had a great time lounging in the sand. Abi and I didn't brave the waves (the beach was blackballed), but James had a blast doing his pro body surfing :) Now, if only Abi could get used to sand!

Visit from Aunt Rennie

Sitting Pretty

Abi's favorite thing to do these days is just sit on the floor surrounded by her toys and play away!

Huntington, funnington

We took Abi to Huntington for the first time last weekend.  We didn't actually take her down to the water because it was really windy and didn't think she'd get it anyway, so we just walked around downtown and visited the streetfair and watched a street show.  By the way, the street performers pulled James out of the crowd, took his credit card, and then jumped over him!

Hangin' in the Crib

So, following a bath or diaper change, we sometimes give Abigail "naked time" in her crib.  She love rolling around in there for some reason.  The other night she was having so much fun I just had to grab my camera and capture a few of those precious smiles!

Dancing with silly daddy

I don't know if James will appreciate me posting this video, but I just have to in order to show the silliness that goes on in this house along with the adorable dancing that Abi has just begun to take part in.

Easter Weekend

We started the weekend by attending the Stations of the Cross service at our church for Good Friday. It was a very traditional and contemplative practice. Interesting.


We did lots of fun things this weekend. We all played in a tennis tournament on Saturday for our friend, Darren's, birthday. Here are a few pics of Abi trying to stay cool:





We spent Easter at our home church (Sojourner's Community) with the Thue family and then had lunch back at our place and enjoyed some family time out on the patio: