Color

This is my first layout in my second photoshop class. Wow, I learned A LOT! Lovin' it!

Swim Lessons

The kids started swim lessons this week. The first day they test the kids to see where they are at in there skills so they know what class to place them in. I was so nervous because I didn't want my kids to all the sudden be shy and not perform and end up in the class of kids who are afraid of the water. Aidan seemed confident so I knew he would do well but Lacey was a little iffy about the whole situation. They called Aidan's name. He stood up, jumped in and swam his little heart out without a float belt. They immediately put him in the most advanced class. He is a great swimmer. He can dive down and pick things up off the floor of the pool, he loves cannonballs, and now can do his breathing so he can swim longer distances without stopping and touching the floor.

Just before they called Lacey's name she came over to me a little apprehensive. I reassured her of her skills and then resorted to rewarding with a blizzard. She immediately walked right over to the pool with a big smile, jumped in the water and swam and swam. She still wears a float belt but does great. She was put in the intermediate class. I was so happy they didn't clam up. I was so proud of them. Really all there swim skills are credit to Ryan. He has worked so hard with them in the pool. While I was pregnant he would take the kids swim sometimes three times a week. They really are great swimmers because of him. After the swim lesson Lacey asked me if I was proud of her and I said yes. Then she asked if I was proud of Aidan and I said yes. Then she asked if I was proud of Ryan and I said YES. I am so happy! When I told Ryan that he had to take Lacey out for a Blizzard he said, "Why is it that Blizzards solve everything for girls?" Don't know Ryan, they just DO!

It is hard to get a good picture in the pool area so I will keep taking pictures in hopes to get some better shots.

Annual Ice Cream Day!

On my side of the family June 27th has been declared Ice Cream Day. This tradition began several years ago in honor of my Grandpa Blake's birthday. He passed away in 2002 but we still celebrate his birthday. He loved ice cream. Sometimes he would give me $20 and say go get yourself a little sundae. I think almost everytime I saw him we had ice cream in some fashion. So as a day to remember him, his life, and his legacy we celebrate with ICE CREAM. It is a great way to talk to my kids about such a wonderful man. They know who he is even though they never met him here in this life. I miss him but think about him often. I try to live in a way that he would approve. He is such an honorable man with a strong work ethic, a powerful testimony of the Savior and a twinkling sense of humor. He is everything I hope to become. I feel so priviledged and grateful that I am associated with someone so remarkable as him. Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Boating Excursion #3: Friends and the River

We went out on the boat Saturday night for boating excursion #3. Each time we go out we do something different. This time we had friends come and went to the Ohio River. I was real nervous because I wasn't too sure about the accomodations and I really wanted everyone to have a good time. The great thing though is that it is REAL close. Loved that. I enjoyed our location. There was a grass area with picnic tables, big tall trees for shade, bathrooms, toys for the kids to play on, and two docks. I missed my cascading canyon walls but it was beautiful here too. Lots of trees along the river. We even saw a couple of barges pushing stuff up the river.

In true "Carter" fashion, I made our traditional Picnic cake.

Oh the memories. I hadn't had it in years and it was so delish! I felt so like my mom getting everything ready for our outting. Packing up the food, the towels, sunblock, camping chairs, the plates and cups, and filling up the, what Ryan now calls the Susan Carter Cooler because my mom always is using it.Seriously I now appreciate so much more what she did for us all those summer nights. Then on the flip side, I see all that Ryan is doing to prepare the boat and put the boat away after. He starts up the boat at home to make sure it starts right, packs all the life jackets, ropes and tube, hooks the boat up to the Explorer. Then when we get home we spray off the life jackets, put on the boat cover, put in a heater to dry everything out and I think of my dad and say, "My dad never did that! My dad never did that either!!!!" Haa haa.

We had a great time with our friends. Ryan was able to board and also take the kids out on the tube. I was able to ride with Lacey one time on the tube too. We screamed the whole time and kept giving the slow down signal. We had fun!

A few pics of the night!

Trip to Wal-Mart

In the front of our Wal-Mart there is a little game center that attracts my kids to spend all my change. Well when we walked by before we started shopping they begged to use the change they had in their pockets to play a game. Well they only had 3 quarters and some dimes and pennies. I told them that I would get another quarter after we paid for our groceries and they could each play one 50 cent game. While I was finishing checking out, they ran over to the games. I told them several times "Don't put any money in until I get there so I can make sure you put in the right amount." I said this at least 3 times. When I walked over they asked for the extra quarter. I asked them where the other 3 quarters were. They showed me what change they had left and it was 2 pennies and a dime. I asked what they did with the other quarters and they said they put them in the machines already. "Why did you do that?" I asked. "I told you not to put any money in until I got there. Now you have wasted your money and you can't play any games. Why didn't you listen to what I said?" Aidan's response, "But mom my ears aren't that big."

New Bat!

Aidan got a new tee ball bat yesterday so we can play with him. It's green. He thinks he is big and official now with his very own bat. Well, he took it to his tee ball game tonight and was so excited to use it. It was his turn to bat. He swung hard, the ball flew and then you could see him thinking in his little mind, "Hey, this is my bat and I don't want to drop it or somebody my take it or worse yet USE it. So yeah, just hold onto it all the way to first base." It was the funniest thing. He just ran to first base as fast as he could holding on to his new bat. We had to reassure him that he would get his bat back and then no one else had to use it. So now he at least throws the bat down after he hits the ball but be assured that anytime he is just sitting in the dugout, he is holding onto his bat!

The other funny thing that happened at another game was that a girl from Aidan's preschool class was on the other team and she and Aidan flirted the whole game. She was the first baseman to start and when he ran to first they kept pushing each other back and forth and slapping each others arms. Anytime they were close to each other they would make faces at each other or push each other. It was so funny. Aidan was not nearly into the game this time as he has been in other games. He was more worried about showing off and being goofy in front of this girl. What a schmoozer!

Aidan goofing around, see his hat pulled down low and that is her looking at him.

Aidan isn't making this face at that boy. The little girl is across the field and he is making this face toward her! Classic!

I'm gonna be a golfer!

Ryan has been a golfer since we have been married and I think I have only golfed once or twice with him. We decided that we needed more hobbies in common so we can spend more time together.....so I am taking up golf. The only stipulation was that I could have a pink golf bag. I found one on sale for $30 and then I found a women's golf set on Craig's list. So Friday we went for our first golf date. Blake, my brother, came and also Aidan and Lacey. Cassidy went to a friend's house. To make it all official, my brother had bought me a golf glove. I was ready and lookin' good. But turns out, I'm not a very good golfer. I had probably one good hit. I tee-ed off at one hole where there were still some golfers on the green, thinking there is no way I could even get close to them. Well, I hit the ball right by them. Oops! I only ended up losing one ball which was surprising. Even though I wasn't very good, I had a good time and can't wait to go again.

PINK BAG!!! AWWW YAH!

My two caddies and drivers

My coach

First Game

Aidan had his first tee ball game on Saturday. It turned out to be a horribly hot and humid day with occasional attacks from the cicada bugs. His game was fun to watch though. Each inning they let everyone bat and then switch and they only play four innings. No one really gets out either. Aidan did great. He hit the ball well and played first base and then second base. One time at second base he caught the ball and threw it to first to get the girl "out". Even though she kept running the bases it is good to see that Aidan has the potential to play for real. Aidan's favorite part of the tee ball game was eating the laffy taffy at the end. Go figure.


Explanation of picture: We have been watching Sandlot lately and one the characters, "Smalls", stands in the outfield like this in hopes to catch the ball. Aidan thought it was funny to imitate him.

Gorgeous Smile

My turn to vent.........Cicadas!

So it is my turn to vent about the attack of the cicadas. I suppose it is worth documenting the disgustingness of it all. For those of you NOT in Kentucky this is merely for your pity. So last Thursday they were not around my yard. They were in other neighborhoods and along the freeway. You can hear them going 70 miles per hour with the radio and AC going. They are THAT loud. But Friday or Saturday the cicada infestation came to my house and trees. They swarm everywhere and are all over the trees. We are all deathly afraid of them. They don't bite or anything they are just loud and annoying. They fly right into your face and these suckers are BIG. Then if you are just innocently walking in the yard thinking that they aren't around, you will happen on one and it will buzz at you so loud that you almost wet your pants. Once, Ryan pulled the garbage out to the front yard, passing a tree infested with them, and they went bonkers flying all over the place. I mean there were probably 2 million in just that one tree. I was out weeding and screamed and duct for cover. I used an umbrella to guard me when I had to run out to our shed. My kids are terrified of them, probably because they see me scream anytime one gets near me. I mean seriously why so many of them. Do they WANT to be the most hated bug by the human race? They are approaching beating out my number one hated bug....ants. At least these guys only come every 17 years. But why did it have to be one of the years I was actually living here. This for sure puts a time limit on how long I can live in KY. I max out at 16 years and then I'm out. I can't do this again.

Facts I shouldn't know about this insect but do because they have overtaken Kentucky.

• The cicada is related to the harvest fly.
• Some cicada's live underground for seventeen years.
• The cicada grows up to three inches.
• Cicadas suck juice from tree roots when they are larva.
• Once the female cicada comes above ground, she mates. Then she lays her eggs and dies.
• The cicada can lay four hundred to six hundred eggs.
• The adult cicada lives in trees.•Adult cicadas live for thirty to forty days.
• A cicada can chirp so loud you can hear it from half a mile away.

The tree in my yard.

Up close and GROSSING OUT!!!

Okay here is a video so you can see and hear them. Turn your volume up. They sound like static a little that gets louder and softer. It is insane how noisy they are. Look close and you will see them flying around. They almost seem like moths flying around a light. Please be grossed out and feel sorry for me.

Wake Board, Water skiis and cannonballs

We took the boat out for venture #2. My brother, Blake came with us this time to join in on the good times. For Ryan's birthday I gave him a new wakeboard. Yes, I am THAT cool. Both Ryan and Blake did a great job. Ryan had permagrin on the whole time. We all jumped in the water for a little swim too. The water was SO warm. We stopped for a bit and ate some dinner and did a little fishing. We had such a great time. We were a lot more successful this time getting the boat out of the water. Probably because Blake was driving the boat and not me. What a fun night!

Happy 30th Birthday Ryan!

Ryan is 30 years old today! Now I feel really old because we are now both in our 30's. He was keeping me young but now we are a hopeless old couple. Sure love you, Ryan. Here's a taste of little Ryan.