Paints and Pools

We have started on our summer bucket list. Our first item of business - finger painting! Luke has been dying to do this all week. 

Jack was meticulous about his work, but Luke was a little more free in his art and decided he was the canvas. He loved every minute of it. 

They were such a mess that I ended up taking them out back and hosing them off in the kiddie pool. Needless to say, they loved it. Just look at the pure joy on their faces!

We ended up deciding to put on our swimsuits and swimming. We can't get enough of the water!

Escape!

We had a good scare yesterday. We put our tortoise Lolo out back to wander and eat the grass. We all went inside and then came out to get her later. Unfortunately we found she had dug a hole under the fence. We searched and searched. Both Jack and Luke were calling for her. After 30 minutes we were about ready to give up. Dallin looked one last time in the yard two houses down after looking there a few times already. There she was! We were all relieved and happy to find her. 

We got Lolo six years ago when we were engaged. We've had her longer than either of our children. We would have been so sad to lose her. 

Here she is when we first got her. She's grown so much and we look so young!

Swimming School

A great Young Woman in our ward, Sarah Beth, is teaching swimming lessons this summer.

Jack loved going.  He decided it wasn't just swimming lessons, it was swimming school.  

They practiced blowing bubbles and breathing.

Before, he just swam by kicking until he ran out of air. 

But Sarah Beth taught him to use his arms and to breathe while he swam.

We are so proud of his progress and are so grateful for all of Sarah Beth's great work!

We Made It!

We made it home safe and sound! We were sad to go - Jack cried for the first 15 minutes because he wanted to stay. 

Both boys surprised me by doing AMAZINGLY on the flight. 

Jack watched the in flight movie b

Luke napped and played around. I am so glad the medicine seems to be working for his ears now. We were also lucky to end up with the row to ourselves so we could stretch out. 

Dallin got stuck later at work so hung out at baggage claim for an extra hour. The boys snacked and ran around the pretty empty area while we waited. Then we were so happy to be reunited with our daddy. Surprisingly Luke was the friendlier of the two. Jack was pretty shy, but Luke went right to his daddy.

We are happy to be home after a great vacation!

Our Final Day

We spent our last day in Ojai seeing everybody one last time and trying to keep our sick baby happy. 

We visited Gma at her house. Jack LOVED playing in her backyard and cried because he wanted to stay when it was time to go. 

Then we got our last swim in. 

We ate Otter Pops by the pool. 

And fed Reggie the Dog. 

Jack and Sass raced in the pool. Jack always wins. 

Then we went to dinner at Casa de Lagos. Jack sat by his best friend. He just loves being with Aunt Sass. She is his favorite.

We are going to miss everyone when we leave but we are excited to see Daddy! We missed him!

Thorns Among the Roses

We had some bright spots and some dark spots in our day. 

Jack continues to be an incredible swimmer. 

We enjoyed relaxing by the pool. 

Some very cute boys picked flowers for me. 

Then Aunt Shari taught them the fine art of flower arranging. 

Unfortunately we had to pay another visit to the doctor. As soon as he finished his antibiotics last weekend, Luke's fever came back on Monday night and he started showing signs of another ear infection. 

Yep, his ear infection lingers on and they took a sample to see if he has a urinary tract infection. He's on a stronger round of antibiotics now that will hopefully have him ready to travel on Friday. And we have an appointment first thing Monday morning to discuss tubes with the doctor. Our poor little man just can't catch a break! 

Quick Trips

Today we paid a visit to the beach. We picked up In N Out for lunch. 

It was a brief trip since Luke isn't feeling well again 

And Jack decided he didn't like the wind and was pretty upset about it. 

We swam a little this afternoon and then cooked some Cajun food for everyone. 

Aunt Sass, who Jack says is his other best friend beside Austin, watched him while I was with Luke. She put him to work. He did push ups, sit ups and jumping jacks. 

Like Old Times

Today we met up with my good friend, Lelah, her husband Dylan and their adorable little boy Truman. 

Lelah and I have been friends since elementary school and have many fun memories together v

We went to Ojai Ice Cream. 

And to the park. It was great to see them and catch up. 

After naps we went for our daily swim. 

Then Jack went with Grammy and Gramp to a baptism while Luke and I relaxed at home. 

Father's Day

We woke up bright and early and wished the fathers in our lives Happy Father's Day via text, FaceTime, and Gramp got it in person. We were sad to not be with Dallin today. 

The cousins were looking good for church. 

After church and naps, we headed over for family dinner at Aunt Shari's house. Aunt Kathleen got the boys cute swim shirts. 

The kids love swimming with Aunt Sass. 

Jack and Isaac played chicken fight. 

After dinner the kids made s'mores. 

Shyla and Jack took a ride in great grandmas walker. 

The boys had so much fun playing with cousins. That is something we miss living so far away from family. 

On The Lake

We spent the morning on the lake. 

The little folk all got life jacketed. 

Jack and Luke were pretty unsure about the whole thing. 

Jack did NOT like it when we went fast. 

Luke was exhausted from the previous day and fell asleep. 

Aunt Sass and Uncle Jared did some tubing. Jared even barrel rolled it. 

Lily was happy to be there. 

Afterwards we hit up our favorite spot - the pool. 

Jack did lots of jumping and swimming. 

Luke has even warmed up to Aunt Sass. 

We are some lunch by the pool. 

And Luke even visited with Grammy and Gramp. 

Tonight the cousins bonded. Lily kissed Jack. 

Then he was sweet and gave her kisses. 

Such cute cousins!