Camping at Jordan Lake

We have been wanting to go camping for awhile, but it has been difficult given Andy's schedule.  He has recently started a new rotation that allows him to have a every weekend off with NO CALL!!!

Last weekend we went camping at Jordan Lake.  The first thing we had to do was start a fire.  Andy and the boys built a "log cabin" fire.

"We built a fire!"

We got camp set up.  Notice the bug light hanging from the pole.

"Who me?  I don't know what your talking about."

Once Eliza found the marsh mellows she wouldn't eat anything else!

Bradley did a really good job of roasting marsh mellows.

"I don't have another."

 This little frog was over by the water hydrant.  We really enjoyed watching the kids try to catch him.

Daniel is usually too nervous to hold little critters, but he did really good with this frog.

The boys were pretty  crazy at bedtime.

Once we got everyone settled in to bed we watched the bug light.  It was pretty entertaining to see all the little bugs getting zapped.  Bradley noticed a bird flying near the light.  It was flying pretty slow, and at first I thought is might be a bat.  Turns out it was a really big moth!

Andy went to investigate and this is what he found.  Later when we were almost asleep the moth attacked out tent.  He was trying to get in for some reason.

The next morning we had to make another fire even though we didn't use it to cook.  Here the boys are dumping water on it to put it out.  After we cleaned up camp we went down to one of the swimming areas.

Eliza loved the water.  Unfortunately I forgot to pack her swim suite and swim diaper.  She had to wear whatever we could find.   This means that the diaper she was wearing held...

a LOT of water!  

Andy assures me that Eliza will hate me in the future for this picture, but I thought is was too funny.

 Daniel doesn't like to get his head under the water, so he piggybacked a ride with Dad.

Playing with Dad.

Bradley trying to climb on the tube...

made it!!

Andy and the boys by the pipe surrounding the swim area.

Poor Eliza was so tire!

Who worries about no sleep when there is sand to play in? 

Eliza deciding sand isn't the best tasting.

Another "fat bottom girl" picture.  Nice sand pile Bradley.

Daniel is a mad man when it comes to playing in the sand.

We had a lot of fun camping and look forward to many more trips!

June 71-18, 2011

Veggies and Swimming

This is Eliana and Eliza trying to get a drink out of the slip n slide.  It was pretty funny to watch them.  

Now to the veggie!

The tomatoes are growing!  Almost all of the 22 plants around our house have blossoms or little tomatoes growing.  This picture is about a week old, so the tomatoes are a little bit bigger now. 

Daniel is always willing to jump into a picture for me.  What a cute kid!

I was so excited to see the bay zucchini starting to grow.  I got this plant from my neighbor and it has really grown fast!

Now for some swimming...

We got invited by some friends to go swimming last weekend.  Poor Eliza didn't really get a nap earlier in the day, so she was pretty tired!  This was before swimming.

Ella is one of our friends from our resident playgroup.  Her dad is a year ahead of Andy in residency, and he is also Air Force.

Eliza seems to have a thing with sticking her tongue out.

Ella and Eliza, these girls were silly!

Daniel and Eliza...being...alligators?  Not sure exactly, but Eliza was a crazy girl.  She kept backing up in the water until it was clear up around her head.  Then she tried to sit down and turn over, but the water was so deep she went under.  We grabbed her pretty quickly, but she wasn't even phased by it.  She just kept jumping right back in!!

Last time we were at this pool the boys were sad they couldn't go on the slide.  Andy wasn't with us and I didn't think I could catch them at the bottom and deal with Eliza too.  They were super excited to actually get to go down. 

Bradley loved it!  Andy went first and then waited for him at the bottom. 

When Daniel saw that you go clear under the water he decided not to go.  He doesn't like getting water in his ears, so he stood next to the slide and watched.

I love this one. Daniel got so excited when Andy came down and gave him "five" on his way past.

We had lots of fun at the pool and dinner after wards.  Thanks for the invite Dr. P!

More veggies...

So the tomatoes are doing really well, but recently the bottom leaves have started turning yellow.  Any advise?

The butternut squash has some little babies starting to grow but the leaves have some spots on them.  Anyone know why?

This tomato plant has brown spots.  I think it might be a fungus, but not sure.

Apparently something decided to do a taste test for me.

This poor cucumber plant is shriveling a little too.  Any tips from you gardeners out there on things I can try.  The plants are still blooming and starting to grow small veggies, but some of the leaves have me concerned.  I would hate to have them shrivel and die over night!

On a happier note...the sunflower is huge!  It just keeps getting bigger and bigger.  Daniel couldn't be happier about the growth!

All the kids love to check on the sunflower to see how it is doing.  Last night we got a pretty strong wind, so we put out some long stakes next to it to help stabilize it.  There would be too many tears if it died.  We have had a lot of fun with the garden this year.  We already have plans to add to the garden spot and the side of the house.  I don't think I will plant anything up next to the house next year.  I keep finding termites in the flowerbeds.  The good think is that they are only in the flowerbeds and not the house.  I am concerned about what treating them will do to the veggies in those flowerbeds.  

Kindergarten Graduation

It's that time of year!  Bradley graduated from kindergarten on June 8, 2011. 

Bradley is in yellow, in the middle on the front row.

Bradley getting his diploma from his teacher Ms. Hale with the teacher assistant Mr. Jones calling out names.

Eliza was more interested in Grandma's glasses than she was in the graduation.

After the ceremony we went back to Bradley's classroom for a pizza party.  

He was very excited to show us all the work he has done.  We were so glad that things worked out so that Grandma and Grandpa could attend before they flew home.

Bradley's teacher gave all the kids in his class an extra award that fit their little personalities.  And Bradley got....

"The Elephant Never Forgets Award"

Whenever his teacher would ask the kids to remind her of something, or ask them not to let her forget something, Bradley would always remember and remind her!  He often reminds me of things I wish he would forget!

Every year Ms. Hale makes a collage of the kids in her class.  Here she is unveiling the one for 2010-2011.

Bradley and Ms. Hale

There were so many people in the classroom we decided to step out onto the playground to get some pictures.

Grandma, Bradley and Grandpa

There was a lot of action on the playground.

 

Eliza trying out the jump rope...

Daniel, very hot and tired after chasing the ball...

Bradley in mid-air... I love this action shot.  He got some good air!

Andrea taking off over the hurdle.  Wait...Aunt Andrea wasn't here!  

(I just like this picture and I have it since I copied Grandma's pictures to my computer.)

We had a lot of fun with Grandpa and Grandma and we were sad to take them to the airport.  The only thing that consoles us is knowing we will see them at Uncle Tido's wedding, aka Aunt Katie!

June 8, 2011