Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Lego Fortress


Caeden got his LEGO magazine a few days ago, saw the newest building challenge, and had to get right to it.  The challenge is to build a fortress to protect the land of Chima.

He built quite a fortress.  It covers about half of his bedroom floor.  He is guest-blogging here, so the following descriptions are his own words...



(It was tough to get it all in one picture.)


Here we see the "good guy base."  The part nearest the bottom of the picture is the control room. There are many defenders (including Yoda, clone troopers, police, characters from the Lego movie, and a panda) are lined up along the raised wall of the fortress, prepared to defend.






These are the bad guys, getting ready to attack the fortress.




Here you can see a mini car being deployed from a rainbow flyer, which is an aerial ship.


Here, bad guys are crossing a homemade drawbridge to attack the good guys.

Inside the control room

Policeman on the watchtower


At the bottom of this photo you can see the garage, with functional doors.



The bad-guy ship is flying low over the boardwalk, descending on the base.

Giant smash-tank



This is a Mandelorian being cloned in a cloning chamber.

This an isolation prison with an opening hinged door, and a mini-ship is in the process of attacking.

There is a wall that has exploded because of the mini-ship attacking. 



A canon is exploding here, and the wall is built to come apart with the explosion function.

 Buddy boy with all his swimming ribbons and awards (minus the Will to Win plaque, which hangs in the office/concession stand at the pool).  That's a lot.  But, I love that it wasn't about the ribbons and awards for him.  It was about having fun, trying something new, getting stronger, learning, and making friends.  Success!

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Swim Team Party


We got together with Caeden's swim team families for the end-of-season party and potluck tonight.

After eating, Coach Paige passed out ribbons from the last few meets and presented team awards.

The Octavia Otters Swim Team


These swimmers won team awards for Most Improved or Hardest Working in their age groups. Caeden received the medal for Most Improved in the 9-10-year-old group.

The highest honor given to a swim team member is the "Will to Win" award. Before presenting it, Coach Paige explained that the award is given to the swimmer who comes to practices, works hard, listens to the coaches and does what they say, has a good attitude, swims at meets and invitationals, and does their best at all times.  Caeden saw the plaque hanging in the pool office during his first swim team practice and told me he was making it his goal to win it, but he didn't mention it again all season.  He is pretty excited to have his name engraved on the plaque now! 
Congratulations, Chloe and Caeden!

After awards and pictures, the swim team (and family members) got in the pool and did what they do best...

Swim team has been such a blessing this summer.  It was fun to try something new.  It was great to see Caeden determined to learn and work hard.  It was exciting to see him improve each time he got in the pool.  It was sweet to get to know some new families and grow closer friends with other families in our community.  I love how God uses the everyday things in our lives to draw us closer to Him and to others. 

Wrestling Camp

Wrestling camp is going on every evening this week.  There are over 30 kids in attendance!

Coach Jeremy came home last night and said, "I am too old for that!" 

Caeden whined all day because he was so sore.

Sounds like camp is off to a successful start!

The Search for a Full-Size Cello

A few weeks ago, Sylvia's cello teacher informed us that she has outgrown the 3/4 cello she is borrowing from String Project and she needs to get a full-size cello.  String Project doesn't have any she can borrow.  Today Dr. R. met us at a local music store to help Sylvia evaluate some cellos--the first step in our search process.  

Top Braces


Annah had bands and brackets put on her top teeth today.  They are hurting her, but are sure to make those crooked teeth straight in no time.  Well, in a while, anyway.

Monday, July 20, 2015

Heading home

Had to get one last picture with Krampa and Gram before heading home this morning...

We visited Grandma C, then had to go back to Mom and Dad's because I forgot my camera and crocheting.  We stopped at Grandpa L's meat shop and didn't leave there until about 11am.  

Many roads between home and home are either covered over with water or washed out underneath and are unsafe to drive on.  On our way to Indiana we had to take a long detour around Crescent City and Watseka. Today we didn't, and drove through.  
 So many fields are still flooded and muddy, and crops look withered and drowned.  It is sad.

We had a nice drive home today though.  The kids thanked me for taking them to Indiana.  I'm glad they love to visit their grandparents and cousins and family and friends.  Every time we get a chance to go, it is very special. 


Sunday, July 19, 2015

Game time

A little family game of CLUE!  Whodunnit?!?!






Frozen version of Trouble--a little easier for the boys than CLUE.  ;)  They like to pop the bubble.  Who doesn't?


Annah did Tessa's hair with a twist, like she does her own.


Lazy Sunday Afternoon

Dad had this great shirt on this afternoon, and I needed a picture of him in it. Mayo Clinic is an amazing place.  I wouldn't wish having to go on anyone, but miracles happen there all the time.  I'm so thankful Dad got "repaired" there.

Mom made a super yummy lunch after church today.  It is super fun and loud and crazy when we all get together these days, and I love every second of it!!  Travis and Erin and the kids are so great to spend a lot of their at-home time with us when we visit, and we love spending time with them all!

My dear friend Amy brought her sweet kiddos, Jalynn and Brant, over to swim for a few hours this afternoon.  We so enjoy spending time with them, and are sad that it's usually only about once a year. However, we are really glad they happened to have a few hours to share with us today!

Crazy dives...

Backstroke racing...


5 sweeties...


BFF's!





Love these guys!

Saturday, July 18, 2015

Great G'ma's 99th

Jeremy's family had a nice party today to celebrate his grandma's 99th birthday this coming week.

Many people who love Grandma Betty came to celebrate with her on this very hot day.

Cousin Danielle was there, and we got to meet her husband Brock.

Jill was there! We ran into each other quickly at the zoo yesterday, and she didn't see me at first, but recognized the girls from seeing their pictures on Facebook.  I haven't seen her since high school, I don't think.  Such a sweet lady!

The kids were loving the bounce house!

He didn't drink it, but Caeden thought it was cool to see a Coke can for his "Sis."

The birthday girl enjoyed looking through her cards.

Betty doesn't like her picture taken, but when I take one selfie-style she just thinks she is looking at a picture. 

Caeden and Great Grandma


Photo and hugs with Grandma before we left...

Happy, happy 99th birthday, Great Grandma!