Martha Burns Swim School

We started swimming lessons in September at a new location. Since Olivia is a little intimidated by large groups of new people we thought a small pool with just a few kids might be a better fit for her. The first week was still a little rough but she did get in and did some floating with the teacher. Trevor took the kids the second week and he said it was like a different kid in the pool. She was swimming with her face in the water and jumping off the side just like we knew she could. 

 The teachers are working on getting her to use her arms for the freestyle. She likes to just put her face in the water and kick her legs. The problem is she is really fast when she does this so she has little motivation to use those arms.

 Cannon Ball!

 

 Ben has an awesome back stroke so he has been working on breathing with his freestyle with slow smooth arms. Each week he improves. Overall we have been very pleased with the program.

Roommates

We moved Jameson into Ben's room. He was so excited to share a room with his big brother. Ben too was excited because this meant he got to move to the top bunk. We were not sure how bedtime would go but the boys have done a great job. We have story time and snuggle with each of them and they quickly drift off to sleep. 

 Jameson has only fallen out of bed once since the move to his new bed.

 My favorite part is watching the sleepy eyed boys stumble out of the room together when they wake up in the morning.  

First Day of School

Where did the last year go? Is it really possible that we have a first grader? 

I was off at work already on the first day of school which left daddy home to get the kids out the door and Ben to his classroom for his first day as a first grader. He was so excited to find out he had a few friends in his class from last year. This eased a lot of the first day jitters. 

 Olivia's first day of her last year at Orchard Park

 All smiles and ready for the school year in the Willow Room with Ms. Krissy and Ms. Stephanie as his teachers.

 Ben was ready to go with all his new school supplies.

 Due to the school construction the open house night had been cancelled. This made everyone, including mommy, a little more nervous about the first day. Ben has a new teacher this year, Miss Driver. Since Ben had never met her and did not know where his classroom would be Trevor walked with him the first day. He quickly got settle in to his own desk, put his supplies away and was ready for the day. He was all smiles and no tears so the first day of first grade was a SUCCESS!

 

Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day weekend was spent at the Cabin with the Welsh family, Alms, Knights, Roinestads and Great Grandpa and Grandma Eisenmenger. It was a packed place but we had a great time. Ben and Jack took turns burying each other in the sand.

Jack was so good with Ben all weekend despite the age difference and Ben did a great job of giving Jack space when wanted to go off and do his own thing.

 The weather was a little cooler so we spent lots of time around the fire. On Saturday afternoon Tom and Cheryl and their whole crew came for a visit. I think there were at least 16 of them and it was great to see everyone.

Jessie and Kate out on the dock.

 We rented 2 wave runners for the day on Friday and it was the perfect day for it. It was cool and cloudy which meant not another boat on the water.

Olivia was a little unsure at first but after about 2 minutes she was telling me to go faster and we were flying across the water at 45 mph. She had a blast and it was so fun to hear her little giggles as we spun and bounced across the water.

 When the kids were all in bed then it was time for some adult fun playing corn hole under the spot light in the drive way. We laughed and bantered and had a great time. Can't wait for next year.

A weekend with Friends

Jessie and Lucas were crazy enough to invite all of us to the cabin again this year. We really look forward to a  good weekend with friends filled with lots of laughs.

Olivia and Addie took turns holding Luke all weekend. I think Olivia is just a little bit excited for her new sibling to arrive!

Instant Friends! (Luke and Patrick)

So we thought it would be nice to get a picture of all the kids together. What is that big guy doing in the photo? 

Well, in true Olivia form she refused to take the picture even though it meant she could not hold Luke for the rest of the day. I guess we will just call that big guy Olivia.

While Olivia was busy with Luke Ben was getting his baby time with Patrick. He just loved this little guy. I think he too is excited for baby Knight #4.

So for some reason Ben had a fit about riding the tube behind the speed boat. I guess because it was different than the pontoon. He cried the whole time and the ride last about 100 yards.

I manged to get some good snuggle time with Eddie while Anna unpacked the car. 

Our little Captain at work.

The little princesses!

I think this paddle boat is maxed out! (Ben, Stefan, Jacob, James and Nathan)

Thanks Jessie and Lucas for another wonderful weekend. Can't wait for the next one!

State Fair

We had the most beautiful weather for the fair this year. Jameson loved the big horses.

We always like to check out the lumbar Jack/Jill competitions. Jameson was clapping for his team...

And saying Boooooo for the other team.

Ben was a rock star on the obstacle course that the Boys Scouts set up for the kids.

Some of our favorite food items this year were... Chocolate Milk, Cheese Curds, Lefse, Corn Dog, Caramel Apple in a Dish with Cinnamon Ice Cream, Walleye Cakes, Ruben Bites, Gyro and Apple Cider. As Always the kids LOVED the Giant slide!

Vacation Week on Middle Cullen

This is one of the best weeks of the year. We love having a whole week to just hang out with the kids without any schedule! This year was no different and we finally had a week with some nice weather for our vacation.

Ben got really comfortable riding on the tube behind the pontoon.

Most of the meals were had outside on the deck.

We had lots of relaxing time on the boat just soaking up the sun.

I wish I would have taken a picture of Jameson sitting the potty chair on the pontoon. We decided the week at the cabin would be a great time to potty train and let me tell you that potty chair went everywhere with us. It was totally worth it cause after the one week of focused potty training he was good to go and ready to head back to school in underwear.

On Wednesday we went into Nisswa for the weekly turtle races. Jameson being the out going one of the bunch was the only one that wanted to race the turtle. Our other two only wanted to sit back and watch.

READY, SET, GO!!!!

The race was over and it was time to collect those turtles.

The kids also found some raspberry bushes right by the cabin so they picked a sweet little treat.