Swim Class

Matthew and I gave Bethany swim classes for her birthday. So every Wednesday, Bethany and I hit the pool. You would not believe the stuff they're teaching her already. She jumps in no problem, goes under water, and swims with the help of a kick board (and me holding onto her wrists). She is such a brave girl!

Pool Party

We attempted swimming again Sunday evening while visiting A.Marie and U.Larry. Rebekah had pretty much the same reaction, but ended up braving the water to be with Papa. Bethany insisted on spending most of her time in the water in the crab, and Bekah tried out the pool bar.

Uncle Larry sure knows how to make Bekah giggle!

Crystal Beach

On Sunday we headed to Crystal beach for a day in the sun. Bethany eventually warmed up to the water enough to play with Uncle Mike and Aunt Sarah, but Rebekah cried the instant she hit the water. She'd rather just relax back on the sand.

Camping Misadventures, Episode 3, Day 2

Saturday we were with everyone again. Well, kind of... all the big people were going to try out the jet skis. Instead, A.Kim and A.Paula got stranded way out on Lake Erie with a broken jet ski!! Some nice fishermen had to rescue them. On the bright side, I got to ride on a swing for the first time.

After the jet ski was abandoned, we all met up at the beach. I loved relaxing with A.Kim, and even tried my hand at Bethany's "longhorns." I think I could get used to that!

Bethany, on the other hand, spent most of her time in the water. It was nice and shallow and warm, kind of like a big bath! All the uncles and Daddy had fun entertaining her.

Bridgeport

We really enjoyed our trip in Michigan. We got to see U.Bruce and AUNT Marcy, who are our new favorite newlyweds! (Ok, G.Faye and G.Richard, too. So many weddings!) We also got to take advantage of the hotel's pool.

Tuesday is A.Marcy's birthday, so we celebrated with some cake.

Both Bethany and Bekah got in some quality time with their G.Grandma. G.Grandpa had fun teasing the girls too, but we somehow missed the Kodak moments there... maybe partially due to the camera missing in action for a good part of Sunday!

Uncle Mike's Bday!

Uncle Mike turned 21 on Sunday! For the kids, this meant a fun day swimming at the Seneca Niagara Hotel's pool. Bethany hung out with Daddy most of the time, while Mommy sat at the edge of the pool and watched. She is getting so brave! Grandpa rented out a suite for the night, so when we were done swimming we headed back to the room... apparently to swim again! Happy birthday, Uncle Mike; we love you tons and tons.

Swimming!

Grandma and Grandpa got a free room at the casino tonight, so Bethany got to go swimming in the big pool! Tons of fun!

Relaxation

Tuesday afternoon we took a break from hiking. Bethany played some cornhole... she's probably the only one who got close to beating her dad! Then we went to Lake Logan to go swimming. Bethany walked right in, clothes on and all.

Hocking Hills Pool

We ended our second day with a very refreshing swim in the pool. Even Bethany enjoyed it! She had everyone "swimming" her around, and really wanted to go down the slide. Maybe when she's older...

Dusty Bottoms

Bethany and I found ourselves without a car today, so we headed down the street to our park. It was nice and hot, and we went straight for the water! Thankfully, Bethany isn't as enthusiastic in water as Jonas, because the bottom is VERY slippery... so she mostly sat and splashed. We left dirty, but refreshed.

Roberts Getaway

Some background for this post: I hung out with the same 5 girls all through college. Four years later, we decided to have a reunion-type weekend. So, off on another camping adventure we went! We had hardly any rain, which was wonderful, and Bethany had fun with her friends.
She was a little uneasy around the "big" kids, so I didn't get a picture of her with Jaycelyn, and this is the only one I got of her with Brenin. Much different than last year when she didn't care at all.However, she loved Layla! Probably because she's not too unlike Jonas. Bethany helped us pack up Sunday morning for the ride home.

Wading

We've had a wonderful family day today! We were outside all day exploring the Niagara region. Bethany had lots of fun in the wading pool at Niagara-on-the-Lake. My, she's growing up!

Terrific Tuesday

We took a gamble this afternoon and got some swim time in before the thunderstorm. Bethany felt a bit braver in the pool today, especially with a nice firm board to float around on! She's not quite as into the water as Jonas is, but she's getting there!We got home in time to cook up a nice supper for Daddy. Bethany is such a good little helper, and a lot more cautious than you would expect for someone who doesn't understand stoves yet.

Hot Days

Bethany has enjoyed her time in the pool these past few days. It's a nice chance to cool off after playing so hard. Of course, she doesn't stay in the pool long - not being able to stand is a huge drawback for her!
I love this picture...

Splashing

Water Baby

Bethany and Jonas went swimming yesterday afternoon to cool off. They both love hanging out in the water and splashing around, especially Jonas! Bethany made several attempts to empty the water by pushing down the side of the pool, but she was never successful. She's such a little water baby.

Niagara-on-the-Lake

Niagara-on-the-Lake was an awesome place to visit. They have a cute little park that came in very handy - it was hot! Bethany and I spent a good amount of time at the waterhole, and she really enjoyed being able to sit in the pool. Overall, a nice relaxing day before heading out to CNY... loved it!

Taste of Buffalo

Today was Bethany's first time being surrounded and bumped by a million people at once. That's right, we dragged her to the Taste of Buffalo. And poor Bethany is too small to experience the one reason you even go - food. Her mom and dad had a good time though!

Afterwards, we invited ourselves over to Aunt Marie and Uncle Larry's for an amazing steak dinner. Yummy. (Apparently Taste of Buffalo just wasn't enough food.) What nice relatives we have.

And we tried out their pool. Surprisingly, Beth did not enjoy it as much as she did the lake. Go figure.

G&G at Geneva

We just got back from a very fun 24 hours in Geneva, OH. Bethany spent her first night in a hotel with the 2 of us and Grandpa Jon and Grandma Miriam. She had fun hanging out under her daddy's shorts!

Then today she went swimming for the first time. And in Lake Erie, no less. None of this starting with baby pools. Even her dad wasn't brave enough to get in the water. Now we just need to get her a bathing suit!

We tired ourselves out in the water, then spent some quality time resting on the beach. (And trying not to spend too long on the burning hot sand.) This was definitely was too quick of a trip. I already can't wait until next time.