Swimming Lessons

In May, I signed Abby up for some swimming lessons. We went twice a week for 5 weeks. The class required that a parent be in the water with the pre-schooler. I took her most times, but Billy went once or twice. I had him go the last class so I could take pictures.

Abby really improved on her water skills. Last year, she really didn't like having her face wet. She would blow a few bubbles, but that was it. In this class she learned to go completely under water, float on her back, and do a front glide. But we've been swimming since the lessons and basically what she learned was to jump in the pool and then get back to the edge to get out. I consider that a success!

The teacher would start with them on the steps, getting them used to the water and being wet.


Waiting for her turn to jump in.


Cutie pie - even soaking wet.


Jumping to daddy. The first time, I didn't use a flash and all that showed up was a green blur. I used the flash so you can actually see her.


Floating on her back. She looks so long. My baby is getting big!

What Have We Been Doing?

Well, we must have been busy, cause it's been quiet on the blog! Sorry about that. Here's an overview of our June (and a little of May)...

We went to a couple of graduations.
This one is our nephew "DA" with his mom and dad.

This is one of our Youth Group guys, Andrew.

My sister had her FORTIETH birthday! I made her a cake that was Gluten-free and sugar-free. It tasted a little better than it sounds. A little.

Sisters at the party!

We also put in our garden.

Abby planting onions.

Billy working hard... on his lunch break.

Abby's all wet after playing in the sprinkler.

Does it get any cuter than this?

Cousin Woody came for a visit and we took him strawberry picking. It was his first time. Boy, was it hot that morning!!

Relaxing in the shade!

We also did a lot of just hanging out.


A couple of my nephews were in a production of "Oliver." They did great!



And last but not least, I ran another 5k last weekend. As you can see, the time is a little better than last time.


Next up, Abby's swimming lessons!!

How To Eat A S'more

On Memorial Day, we had a bonfire at my sister's house. We love to roast marshmallows and make s'mores.

After making Abby a s'more, she ran off to play with her cousins. We watched her from a distance and at one point, she had a huge piece of chocolate marshmallow hanging off her chin. Her Daddy ran to her with the camera, but it was too late. It fell off before he could get there.

He did catch these photos, though.

#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8 Looks like she thoroughly enjoyed it! My favorite is #7. Which one do you like?

Happy Birthday, Little Grandma!

Today is Billy's Grandmother's birthday! She is a petite woman with lots of spunk!

We love you Little Grandma!

This picture was taken in February 2005, a few short months after we returned from China. How little Abby looks!

Hebrews 12:1

Were you wondering if I ran my 5k on May 17? You were? Well, I did.

No pictures from the start, but there were lots of people! I think more than the last time. I'm thinking this because lots of people passed me.

The day was a little on the cold side and quite windy. But I decided to start without the sweatshirt, since I would have to discard it half-way through anyway. The race was on a Rails To Trails path, so it was pretty flat and definitely straight. No getting lost in the woods. Not that I've ever done that, but still. When I was getting closer to the turn-around point, I could see just how many people were in front.

I was pretty proud of myself for not walking at all, though I was tempted. I did pass a couple of people who had started walking. And then they would get a burst of energy and run again and pass me. This happened near the end when this girl (in the dark purple shirt) passed me. The nerve! I tried to kick it in hard, but I think she heard me breathing down her back so she ran faster, too. Oh, well.

As you can see from the picture, my time was 32 minutes and 24 seconds. About a minute slower than last October. But not bad for only training for three weeks prior. I had tried to hydrate myself well that morning and I did too good of a job. During the race, I thought about a side trek into the woods, but decided to just make a run for the porta-potty at the finish line. Good thing there was no line!

And here I am enjoying the fruits of my labor - an orange. No medal this time. The ladies in this race beat me by four minutes or so.

Incidentally, I haven't been out running since. I guess I really do need the motivation of a race to get out there and pound the pavement. I'm looking to do a couple more this summer. Anyone know of any in the area? Preferably one that will give me another cool t-shirt!

School's Out!

I can't believe that Abby's first year of Pre-school is over. This year has flown by! She has really grown and changed from a shy little girl to a confident one. She's learning to share and work in a group. And she's made some good friends.

For the end of the year celebration, all the classes came together for a picnic. The weather did not cooperate, so we had it indoors. They played games and got treats. There was a little mix-up when we first got there, so Abby was not with her classmates. I think I was more upset about this than she was. She just played along and didn't mind a bit.

In mid jump.

"Dunking" a basketball.

One of her BFFs!

We have three months of summer activities before she starts pre-school again in the fall. Now, if it would only warm up!

Annual Zoo Picnic

Last Saturday was our adoption agency's annual picnic at the zoo. We've gone three out of the last four years. The first couple of times, there were other people from our travel group who we met there. This year, however, we didn't see anyone we knew.

Except for Uncle Zhou (Joe), our agency's travel guide in China. Zhou was a "God-send" while we were in China and helped us tremendously in the transition of becoming new parents in a foreign country. He truly loves all the babies and has their best interest at heart. Abby let him hold her for this picture.

My favorite, the polar bears.

This one decided to go for a swim. It was so fun to watch him doing laps and come up and scratch his head on the rock.




Our annual picture by the wolf. I need to do a side-by-side comparisons of the years we've been there to see how much Abby has grown.