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Thursday, July 05, 2012

Freedom Celebrations

*Our Celebrations began on the Tuesday with a fun get together
with our DEAR friends the Cox's.  They were in town
for Matt's baby blessing and we were lucky enough
to be able to squeeze in some time to see them.
It has been too long, but its always such a joy to see
them.  We met up at Katie's house (she is always an
amazing host).  Had lunch and played at the park/splash pad.
There were A LOT of kids, but they all got along soo well
and just had a blast, while us friends got to spend
time catching up on each others lives.
Unfortunately I am horrible at picture taking these
days, but I know Karli and Katie are much better than I!?!
*After our afternoon with them, my kids and I headed up
to Logan to do some celebrating with Karli and Chris
and the girls.  They too were awesome hosts with
a YUMMY BBQ (my first sample of grilled corn and
it was soo delish), homemade ice cream, sparklers
and utah state fireworks.  We all had a great time
hangin' out together! Thanks you guys...and yes once
again no pictures from me (but again Karli got some).
*I did take a few pics with my phone on 4th of July morning
at the Layton Parade.  We met our friends the Wadmans
there and enjoyed getting loads of taffy candy and all the
 floats and entertainment.  Then were headed to the park for
a picnic, and the mobs of people for shave ice and more
entertainmnent, only because Ame's hula group was performing.
After naps and some catch up on much needed rest,
the kids spent the rest of the evening with Quinn, for
dinner and fireworks!  My great friends, the Wadman's
took pity on me and invited me for more food, fun and
entertainment (they have teenagers)!
All in all it was a great, relaxing and enjoyable day...
and all because we live in the land of the free!

 It was a VERY hot day...
whatever we could do to keep cool...

Fun with Cousins

A week or so ago we met some of the Hanamaikai
cousins at Planet Play for just that...some
PLAY time!
After chowing down on some yummy pizza
we headed for the arcade, race track, bumper cars,
lazer tag, bowling, and lots of fun.
Aren't Nalu and his sweet cousin Amaya
the cutest two kids (she is just 3 weeks younger than him)
 The kids are on one of those similated rides here.
Soo funny to watch their faces!

 The guy running the race track was soo grouchy!
He kept getting annoyed at Kaipo cuz he kept
running into the walls and then he'd have to go
help him get unstuck.  But they still had fun!!
 Don't even have to put $$ in the machine
for Nalu and he is happy as can be
THINKING he is driving the car...

We found a great GROUPON deal for this place.
We had actually gone here once b4 for Kaipo's bday.
but it fell on a holiday and was CRAZY busy.
This time was awesome cuz we didn't have to wait
to do anything!  The kids pretty much ran the place!!


Swim Lessons

I didn't do swim lessons with my kids last summer,
so it was necessary to do them this year.
I wasn't super satisfied with their lessons this time,
but it was better than nothing.
Ash is a very timid swimmer. He is very comfortable
when he can touch, but as you can tell from the
picture, off the diving board into the deep
water, NOT a huge fan. The teacher literally
had to drop him off the board.  But he is gaining
confidence (slowly) and that is what matters!


 Kaipo is a complete fish, with no fear.
So he is just in need of some serious stroke
development.  He got a little, but still has a
ways to go.  I always say IF I had my own
pool, my kids would all know how to swim!
 Ame is also great in the water and is gaining
more and ability.  She was introduced to
butterfly, but mostly worked on freestyle
and breaststroke.  Don't think her our Kaipo
are ready for the swim team yet
(nor do I think they have a desire),
 but they have tremendous confidence!
Which makes me feel good about letting
them be on their own and be just fine.

And most of all they LOVE being in the water.
So we are in for many fun days this summer
of SWIMMING!!