June

Right after school let out we took Natalie to try out for a competitive summer swim team.  She missed the first two weeks of preseason and the coach told us his roster was already full.  But when she tried out he went ahead and put her on the team while turning away the other person who tried out with her; he told Natalie, "you have the right stuff." 

A lot of her summer has been taken up with swimming.  There have been four Saturday meets that last most of the day and then she practices M-F from 7:45 am to 9 am and again in the evening for an hour.  We don't always make it twice a day, but she has a lot.  It wasn't until the 100 degree days near the end of June hit that she finally stopped turning blue.  She has gone from not being able to dive to making huge improvements.  David is great with encouraging her and teaching her how to improve--he is a great teacher and that is one of my favorite things about him.  Natalie has worked hard and  is so excited to have made state as part of a relay team and will be going to Corpus Christi to compete there.  She has buff shoulders and blonde streaks in her hair from all the chlorine.  The only sad part has been not getting as much family swimming time since she is going so often.  But we at least made it to the water park twice before the baby was born.  It has been so fun to watch her swim meets and see her improving!  She was even teaching Grandma to swim when she was here for a visit. 7/25/12

I bought some preemie clothes when I was baby shopping--I thought the kids would have fun putting them on Natalie's dolls to practice for little Brian coming.

A Six Flags day!

They wanted to plant this seed...

They were so excited when it actually grew!

First swim meet...

Waiting to swim...

My beautiful girl!!!

Stephen has a crepe addiction!!

Another swim meet!

 After seeing Madagascar III at the new movie theater. 

Stephen was singing "Afro Circus" for days!!