Demolition weekend

Since the first time we looked at this house (a year ago) we have wanted to knock down this wall that seperated the kitchen and den/family room. Picture on the left is looking from the kitchen, on the right is looking from the den.

When my parents decided to visit us this weekend, we took advantage of their help and got the wall down. (We really means Nae and Grandaddy, of course.) Here they are in the midst of getting the wall down.

And, here is the finished product. I love the way it looks and now it's hard to imagine that wall even being there. It really opened up both rooms a lot.

Thanks, Grandaddy for all your help; we couldn't have done it without you. Now on to phase 2 - laying down floor in the den.

The girls have their chance at swimming

To really get how amazing these pictures are, I wish that I had a video of Mya and Alena just two weeks ago when they were at their first swim lesson. Wow! There was screaming, crying, and everything else you can imagine from two little people very afraid to put their heads under the water and not very appreciative of being forced under the water. After two days of torture, however, and some practice being submerged in the bath tub, both Mya and Alena took off and had a great time. They were both disappointed that today was their last day of swim lessons.

Such a fun thing as a parent to watch your children overcome their fear of something. We are so proud of you Mya and Alena.

The Tale of Peter and Benjamin Bunny

Little Benjamin did not very much want to see his Aunt. He came round the back of the fir tree, and nearly tumbled upon the top of his Cousin Peter. Peter was sitting by himself. He looked poorly, and was dressed in a red cotton pocket-handkerchief. "Peter," said little Benjamin, in a whisper, "who has got your clothes?" Peter replied, "The scarecrow in Mr. McGregor's garden"...They went away hand in hand, and got upon the flat top of the wall at the bottom of the wood. From here they looked down into Mr. McGregor's garden...
The Tale of Benjamin Bunny by Beatrix Potter

There once was a little boy who wanted very badly to catch one of the many rabbits that were in his back yard.

And so, his Grandaddy very kindly offered to help him build a rabbit gum (also known as a rabbit trap.)

After perfecting the trap, the boy brought it home and very faithfully kept it set with lettuce and carrots for bait. Until one morning he went out to check his trap and

in it was not one but two small rabbits! This boy was very excited and quickly decided to name his rabbits Peter and Benjamin.

And that is how we came to have our first pets - two bunnies - living in a pen on our back porch.

Go Barracudas

Today was the last swim meet of the season. Gabe has had so much fun participating in swim team this year - he went from barely able to keep his head above the water six weeks ago to swimming freestyle and backstroke. With practice, his times are going to get faster,but we're just so happy with the progress he's made. Here are a couple pictures from this season.

All of these pictures were taken by other swim team parents and posted on the Barracuda Shutterfly account. I'm glad someone was doing a better job than I was.

Celebrate!

Hope you have

a happy and safe

July 4th!