An exciting day!

Nathan has been dying to go down the slide at the club pool ever since last year.  Someone had told us last year that he had to swim a crazy length by himself to be able to go down, so he hasn't been able to.  He's finally caught on to swimming now, and he's doing amazing.  I asked again and they said he just had to be able to swim to the side once he's off the slide.  I knew he could do that, so we tried it.  He LOVED it.  And Madison loved having someone to go with!!!

He would swim right over to the side and say, "That was AWESOME!", and head back up the stairs!  Every....single....time.  Over and over and over for 4 hours today.

Madison reading to him during a swim break....

There was a water balloon toss during one of the breaks, and the kids decided to join in.  Madison is such a sweet and protective big sister....she was making sure he knew where to go and what to do.

They both broke on the first toss!  But they had fun anyway.

It was a fun day!  Big milestone for Nathan....he's getting so big.  He was so excited and thought he was a pretty big boy today.  I can't believe the kids kept going for 5 hours out in this heat.  And they don't relax any....they go-go-go!  I love summertime.

A fun afternoon!

We didn't have any plans this afternoon, so I decided to do a couple of things on our summer activity list!  The first was ivory soap + microwave.  You cut up a bar of ivory soap into four pieces, put in microwave for about 3 minutes (mostly likely less because it puffs up pretty big), and watch it grow!  The kids were AMAZED.  I was too, actually.  Once the microwave stops, it sort of deflates a little, but it's still pretty big.

And I'm not sure how to take really cool pics without the flash, so these will have to do!  They went "swimming" in a glow stick bath.  It was very cool...they loved it!  Kept them entertained for a while!

I love having time home to do stuff like this!  And I love seeing so many different websites with these cool ideas.  Doing these activities made for two happy kids!

Sweet moments...

I just wanted to remember these sweet moments I caught on camera during our trip.  These two love each other so much, and it shows. Madison loves to take care of her little brother, and Nathan loves being taken care of!  He looks up to Madison so much.

I love seeing my babies together like this.  Makes me so glad that we have two kids, so they can have this special relationship!

Pensacola Beach....2012!

After waiting so many months, our vacation was here!  We timed it just right....the week before it was flooding (13 inches in one day) and Tropical Storm Debbie came the week after!  The week we were there was GORGEOUS.  Beautiful weather every day.  Couldn't have asked for a better vacation.  I have so many pictures that I want to post here, but I can't go crazy on my blog, so I'll just post my favorites.

Nathan jumped right in and started playing in the waves.  He was BRAVE and had no fear when the waves would suck him under and carry him back to shore!  I was a nervous wreck, but we didn't leave his side!  Madison, however, was really into finding shells.  She went right to it!

We were there for Father's Day!  We gave daddy his present (a book of pictures with him and the kids from their birth), then we had fun on the beach / bay, and lunch at our favorite restaurant - Crabs!

The kids "fishing"!  I loved the bay because it was really shallow and much calmer for this mama not to worry!  Nathan actually learned how to come up for air while swimming during this trip - because of the bay!

We saw the Blue Angels!!

These kids loved the ocean....no fears at all this time!  We heard so many giggles this trip!

Our traditional colorful chair pictures at Flounder's!!

We got a boogie board and Madison loved it!  These waves made it really fun.  She even pulled Nathan around and helped him ride the waves too!

They spent their time fishing and jumping in at the bay!

We decided to take a small break from the sun and water and rent a "Funny Car".  It sure was funny - we were cracking up!  It went about 30 mph, if that, and we just rode up and down the main road in Pensacola!

And of course, I had to get our beach hat pictures!

We had such a wonderful vacation.  Everything was perfect.  We are so blessed to be able to make these memories and spend time together as a family!  When I think back on my childhood memories, it's family trips I remember.  I hope we are making good memories for our children!  I get teary-eyed thinking about these trips....it makes my heart happy to have us all together enjoying each other!

SKY VBS...

Our VBS was this week - Monday through Wednesday.  It's a late night for both kids, but they had so much fun!  The first night, Nathan didn't really want to go.  I told him he loves VBS and he'd have a good time.  On our way home, he said, "I had an EXCELLENT day.  You told me I'd love it and I did!"  And Madison was going on and on about everything she did!  I helped out again this year, so I couldn't go around and take pics.  But, I did get these pictures from someone else who was photographing the whole thing!  These pictures are from all three nights.

See, I told you it was a late night for my kids!  Poor thing was already worn out.  But, the teachers told me he was so good.....he was the only one who didn't cry when their mommy left, he listened to directions, and he wasn't obnoxious and loud!  I was proud.  He really is growing up.

They had root beer floats for the first time ever, and Nathan ate his entire cup!  He LOVED it.  Madison loved it too!!!

Nathan really got into the singing and movements!  I was taking pictures with my phone while we were waiting for all the other groups to get back.  And of course my phone died before Madison got there, so I didn't get any of her!  But I got these pics, and this video.  He's the loud singer!  :)

I just love VBS.  It's a tiring three days, but the kids learn so much and have such a good time.  We sing the songs for a few months after, and occasionally we'll pop in CD's from past VBS's.  They love the music!  Both of them mentioned that they learned "anything is possible with God and they can trust Him with everything"!  I love seeing their little hearts grow in their love for God...and hearing the excitement in their voices when they talk about it!