Crafty Kids

So I've spent a lot of time downstairs lately as my Etsy shop has been pretty busy (YAY!), the kids have been spending time down there with me as well.  Henry is finally getting to the age where he can participate in craft time.  He has started painting, cutting, coloring, etc.  My kids are so crafty and I couldn't love it more then I do.  It's my favorite time I spend with each of them.  Rob was gone on a guys weekend a couple weekends ago and while Henry was napping Paige sat at my sewing table just talking and crafting while I was sewing.  All I can do is hope this continues for a long time.

Yesterday, Paige and I had a girls morning.  We went out for breakfast with our neighbor Brittany and her daughter Claire.  Then Paige and I were off to paint pottery.  This is our girl time where we just go, sit, talk and paint.  She talks to me about so many more things during this time and its the best.  My favorite thing to do on the weekend.  Now I'm preparing for my weekend with the kids by myself as Rob is off for another guys weekend.  He does two a summer they always fall this close together but it's ok.  

Swim Lessons Round 2

So after Paige finished swim lessons early in the summer we realized that she was avoiding having to try and do things.  She would barely put her face in the water.  So we made the decision to put her in private swim lessons.  Well between the first round being over and starting private lessons Paige became a fish.  We went on vacation with some older cousins and I'm so thankful that we did.

So last week we started private swim lessons.  They were in a couples backyard where they have a staff of people who gives lessons.  Paige was one of three kids in the pool with three teachers.  Paige did AMAZING!  Her teacher kept saying to be I can't believe she's only 5, man she picks up on this stuff quick.  I told him that she only started going under water about a month ago.  He was even more shocked and proud!  We will be going back to these people over and over!!

Chapman Family Reuion

Well we just keep going.  We got home from vacation and the next day were off to Rick and Gail's for the Chapman family reunion.  This is becoming a 4th of July tradition and we love every minute of it.  We lucked out on weather and spent the entire weekend outside.

This man right here could live in that boat on that pond forever.

One happy girl who pulled in a HUGE bass!

Henry will follow that Papa of his around everywhere.  Thank you Rick for always being with him!

These two together are so much fun.  They have ran, swam, gave spa treatments in the sand.  They reminded me so much of playing with my cousins in Pella growing up.  It just didn't matter and you went hard all day until your parents told you you had to go home.

Henry loves playing with Tyler

These girls swam half way across the pond together.  Uncle Ryan and Tyler follow in the paddle boat.  But those girls didn't care they did it twice!!

Rob's Aunt Cindy recently retired from Hallmark.  Her kids threw her a retirement party one evening.  It was a lot of fun to celebrate Cindy's hard work.

Cindy and her daughter Cari and her son Kyle

On the 4th we took a lot of family photos!  These are some of the ones off my camera.

This is Gail's sister Carol and her family

Austin and Michelle with their kids

Steph and Andy with their little one on the way

This is Gail's sister Barb and her family

Our family obviously :)

My little family I'm so lucky to have!  Christmas card photo = DONE

Rob's brother's family

This is Rob's Grandma and all 10 of her great grandkids

The entire Chapman family

Rob's Grandpa Hartz came out to hang out with all of us

Kristin got these little ladies matching dresses...they were so excited!

The annual Grandkid parade getting started

Some of the Hartz men doing their favorite thing...fishing

It was a great weekend with a lot of family.  My kids had so much fun and Rob and I did as well.  It's always great to catch up with family members you don't get to spend that much time with.  Chapman's I can't wait to do it again next year!

Arkansas Vacation

Well we just got home from our Arkansas vacation with my family.  We went with my Mom, my sister and her family.  We drove down Saturday morning and my mom road with us.  We left pretty early.  My kids did great!  There was some rough times I'm not going to lie but over all they did amazing, Henry did so good with potty breaks and didn't have a single down or back.  The weather was amazing, the condos were great, we were in the pool and the lake, we rented a boat.  We all had so much fun.  My kids went down ok but timid in the water and we left with two kids who were fish!  Paige even went tubing!!  It was a great vacation.  Enjoy the picture dump this is just a small portion of what I took.

The boys doing a bit of fishing before the pool

Colin is extra safe in the pool

This sums up our trips to the pool with Henry

Oh these boys in my life...I'm so lucky to have them!

She just kills me

This sweet boy I get to call my nephew...these little boys love each other

My fish

She would make me stand in one place and then swim her hardest to me

nap time at the pool

Carly and Grandma laying out

Beer?  IBC Root Beer!!

We took the kids mini golfing for the first time.  Mom and Rob were so patient with them, I don't include myself because I barely played I just took pictures.  But I'll tell you I played the game of my life because I wasn't trying so hard.  They are both naturals at golf, to say that their dad was proud would be a HUGE understatement.

Tuesday we rented a boat.  The weather was AMAZING and the kids had so much fun.  The adults had a lot of fun as well.  Reminded me so much of being in the Ozarks every summer while growing up.  We started the day out fishing and then it was into the water we went.  We went swimming, tubing, swimming again.  Paige surprised me the most.  Paige is timid of water to say the least.  By the end of the day she was jumping off the boat into the water with her cousins, going under water like it was no big deal.  The biggest thing was she tried to go tubing and the tube went right under, she went under and got really scared.  Thankfully my sister was in the water with her and swam right over to her.  Well by the end of the day she got right back on the tube and nailed it!  I kept telling her WHO ARE YOU?!  She just giggled she is so proud of herself.  She was also casting her own fishing pole, again proud dad.  Love my little girl who is growing up and becoming more and more independent.

This is the funniest photo ever.  Heather and I think this should be Mom's Christmas card.

Henry didn't like all the wind in his ears

He also hates his life jacket

He loved fishing with Carly

Our little fish...by the end of the day he was swimming on his own in that jacket

Mom duties...Doesn't everyone have a travel potty on a boat for poop breaks?

Nap time for the boys

Right before her end of day tubing

Thanks Aunt Heather for being the champ and taking her!

Henry and Rob having coffee...ok Henry is having cereal

snack time

Swimming with Uncle Tony

My mom, some of her grandkids and the swimming noodles.  My mom bought these noodles probably 20 years ago or more.  She has moved them so many times and they have been on so many vacations.  Heather, Tony, Rob and I made fun of her for keeping them and for bringing them.  But I'll tell you what those kids were so excited to have them and to swim with them.

Just my buddy and I 

Amazing trip with my family.  We're home and exhausted but so glad we did it.  Now we're on to the Chapman family gathering tomorrow and Saturday!  More blogs to come!!