Bike Riding!

One of our favorite thing to do in Vegas is ride bikes in our drive way

Liberty Ready to Ride!

Jericho going fast with Dakota's help

Dakota speeding by

Hunter on the move

Steve's Birthday!

So it is Steve's Birthday and we are DIRT pour. So what should we do? I know go play in the DIRT - - I mean go camping. Some where close (save gas money) some where cheep and some where it is cooler then Vegas. Mt Charleston!!

We are not here five minutes and Jeric looks like this.  What a dirt magnet.

                               Here is the fire and our tent.  If you look close you can see our Tajmahal sign.

Everyone loves the hammock.  One the first things up and last thing down.  But a lot of "Taking turns" or "off limits" went on with this.

With Steve and Camping together you know there is a lot of hiking involved.  You can not go camping with out it

Everyone took turns walking our dog Raccoon.  She even took her own turn walking Liberty!!

How tall can we get and what funny faces can we make for the camera?  Hunter and Liberty were up for the challenge all weekend long.  They went and did everything dad did.

Dakota skipped out on some of the fun activities a couple of times.  She was reading the Harry Potter series and was on book 5.  She finished it and was ready for the 6th when we got home.

Even the King of the camp needs to take a break sometimes.

Liberty put her dog in Jericho's back pack and took him on a hick.

Steve's favorite cake is Pineapple upside down cake.  I did not know if I could pull it off camping but here are the kids put the candles on.  It got a little done on on side but not bad for a dutch oven.

Blow out your candles and make a wish!

I wonder if his wish came true?

Dakota found a walking stick to help on the hikes.

Jeric stole Dad's hate.  Thought it was a great toy!!

All around Mt. Charleston there are hikes that you can take on trails ( my favorite kind)  This one had a great view and cool rest stops along tre way for little legs.

Steve thought he had better take one picture of me to prove I didn't send him all alone with the kids for the weekend! (But do you think he would have made a cake?)

Another wonderful hike with a stream and logs to cross it on.

Daddy helps Libby across.  She is a little nervous.

Does all the King do is nap?

What is camping with out smores?  Here is Jeric's smore face

Libby's smore face

Kota's smore face

Dad's smore face.

                                               (Mom does not eat smores and Hunter was in a mood!)

The best part about it was watching the kids all play together and help each other and just being together as a family. Dirt and all.  I am glad that it is one of Steve's favorite things to do and he takes us often even if the kids are little we still go.  The kids are asking already when are we going again and we just got back.

Tae Kwon-Do!

Hunter has been taking Tae Kwon-Do since March 2010.

We are hopping that he learns to listen,

Control his temper

And defend him self.  He has enjoyed it a lot.

Here he is receiving his Yellow belt.  It is his second advancement.  Well done Hunter!

Swim Lessons

Jericho Was a little nervous to get in at first on his first swim lesson with Dad (normally mom takes him in)  But he warms up really fast to the songs and the kicking and splashing.  He is also so excited to be with Dad.

 Jeric learned new things like floating on his back.  Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall. Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.  Notice the fall.  His teacher says "Dad's a little more daring then Mom".  Jeric also learned the paddle board.  He had a great 2 weeks. Only one day with Dad though.

Liberty is big enough to have swim lessons all on her own.

 She learns alot of new things this year.  She dives under water (face going in leaning over) She does the monkey crawl.  Her teacher helps her touch the bottom of the pool.  She learns to float.

They play lots of games and she even learned to put her head in the water and kick to us.  That's swimming!!!  We still make her wear her floaty's so we can chase Jeric and she is safe but she loves to "swim".  She was glad Dad could come and watch her lesson!!

Hunter's Lessons are mostly to define he's stroke.  He had to swim the length of the pool at least once each class.  He practiced saving some one from drowning (1st Picture).  Then practice with a kick board and various strokes.

At the end of each day they had to make it through the loop with out touching it, by kicking off and gliding.  Hunter could not make it.  He always touched the edge.  But he could dive and pick up anything off the bottom of the pool you could throw there.  Good job Hunter.

 Dakota Had swim lessons also.  She was trying to get better with her strokes.  She learned to rescue someone who is drowning with out drowning yourself.  Her teacher is helping her practice her arms.  Here is the wrong way and the right way to paddle your kick board.  She also practiced all the different strokes and tried to keep up with Hunter swimming the length of the pool.

Her is Dakota gliding trough the loop with out touching the side.  She does it every time with out fail.  Every child is unique and special in there own way and I am so grateful for all of mine and love them all.  Good job with your lessons!!