Where did summer go? **UPDATED**

**POST UPDATED WITH PICTURES**

Well, it's that time of year again! Unfortunately our summer is fading quickly away and Todd and I will be back at school once more. Todd went back on Friday to a day-long meeting (yuck). I go back on Monday for two days of training and then I start workdays on Wednesday. The kids come back for both of us on Tuesday, August 25. It seems like we are just now getting into our easy summer routine and it's already time to go back!
We've been keeping busy as usual over the last couple of weeks. Tyler has had several big firsts. He pulled up for the first time on Wednesday night. It's all over now...he'll officially be into everything! He also had his first trip to the beach. He loved the waves! Despite being as careful as possible, I think he ate a few handfuls of sand as well. Since he's still exploring the world by putting everything in his mouth I think that's par for the course! I'll post pictures as soon as I get them onto my computer.
Abby has officially completed her first swimming lessons. She was not promoted to the next level, but I expected that. She still is awful young...she was actually supposed to be 3 to take the class. She did great her first two days of class, and the last two days of class, but really acted like she was scared all the days in between. Anytime it was her turn to swim with the teacher she would get out of the pool and run to me crying. And I would go to her and put her the pool. The funny thing is, once she was actually in the water with her teacher, she did everything she was supposed to do just fine! She also refused to jump off the side of the pool everyday, but the last two days she would as long as I was right there with her. All in all, I say we made progress. I think I'll wait until the spring to repeat the class, but I'm glad she had the exposure.
By the way, I'm glad you found us at our new home @blogspot. Mark this new site in your favorites so you can visit and check up on us all the time!

Visiting Kyle & Jack

Recently Abby, Mommy, and Nana went to visit cousins Kyle and Jack, and of course Jodi and Paul too!  Abby had pink eye that weekend AND didn't sleep any on the car ride up to Virginia Beach, so it made for an interesting ride up!  While we were there, we went to the Neptune Festival on the oceanfront (where they have the ginormous sand castle competition).  The sand castles were awesome, but of course I missed getting pictures of them and only have pictures of the kids playing on the beach!  Kyle and Jack are growing up so quickly.  Kyle is now 5 and in kindergarten and Jack is 3.  After the Neptune Festival, we went out for yummy Mexican food.  Well, to continue her trend, Abby chose not to sleep all night that night (literally) so we had a very long night.  But, it was still worth the trip to visit our sweet boys!
[caption id="attachment_53" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Jack and Kyle"][/caption]
[caption id="attachment_54" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Abby and Kyle"][/caption]
[caption id="attachment_55" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Abby burying Mommy's shoe!"][/caption]