Swimming Lessons Done for the Year

Hard to believe, but the kids are already done with swimming lessons for the summer. They have all progressed so much. Today P. swam the length of the pool freestyle and was able to tread water for 3 minutes. K. was able to overcome her fear of the 5 foot area (not sure that is a total good thing) and swam to her teacher, also freestyle. She has a knack for picking up sports and it appears swimming is no different as this past Tuesday was the first time she attempted freestyle, so the video you are about to see is her third try (she made me promise to let her have a practice round before I taped her). And little miss M. has noneed for floaties anymore...she has been transformed into a fish thanks to Miss Lindsey. M. loves to swim and loves her new ability to dive underwater and get dive toys! Enjoy the videos!

Patty O'Completion

OK not totally done, but pretty close. Just have to finish the stone work around the pond, then dirt and mulch around it. Also have to get the fountain pump.

Finished Patio..... What I have to landscape around it?

An Irishman named Paddy O'Work

Sat June 4 (Day 5)



It was unbearably hot here in STL yesterday. It was at least 95*. Naturally, we decided it was the perfect day to spend outside working on the patio on the South side of the house. Todd and I started at 6:30 in the morning. My neightbor Mark came over and helped for about 3 hours. What a huge help that was. After about 11:30 Todd and I were on our own. We worked until about 5:30, then called it quits. We actually got a hell of a lot done considering there was only two of us. We drank tons of water to try to stay hydrated. Erin filled our 2 gallon water jug twice and we both had a quart of Gatorade. Nvertheless, I got heat cramps in my forearms and legs. Todd got them too in his hamstrings. We took the kids to the pool which was refreshing. I kept getting cramps in the pool, so I probably looked like a spaz. Enjoy the pictures..........

Let the Patio Work Begin....

.....if it will ever stop raining. OK, so we'll just have to work in the rain then.


Sat May 14 (Day 1)





















Sun May 15 (Day 2)










6,000 lbs worth of boulders



















Sat May 28 (Day 3)

Tues May 31 (Day 4)

Had some time in the evening to wrok with Chambers and Todd. Worked from about 6-9 and set most of the patio boards.

Maui

Sunset @ hotel Sunrise at Mount Haleakala above the clouds at 10,000 ft

Whale watching

Back from the Beach

Ahh, the waves. The salty sea air. The cold beers after a day in the sun and surf. All things the Lynchmob was craving and all things we got as we made our pilgrimage to Myrtle Beach this past week. Once again, we stayed at Ocean Creek and as usual, we were not disapointed.

The condo was in the building closest to the beach...which is a huge deal when lugging three children and all of their necessities to the beach and back each day! The weather was perfect! Sunny every day and we made the most of it. P. discovered he could catch crabs and other wildlife in the wash under the pier. He and Kevin were in there every day. The rewards for their efforts? Three blue crab, some smaller hermit crabs, and a stingray. We cooked the blue crabs right in the condo, and let me tell you, there is nothing in this world like a fresh caught and cooked crab. K. and M. liked them, but not P. He just prefers to supply the food!K. and M. loved to play in the sand, so Mommy got to spend a lot of time reclining in my beach chair while I watched the girls build castles and run into the waves to rinse off. We did see a jellyfish in the low tide and I caught it in a bucket to show everyone. (I then got rid of it so no one got stung). They all thought it was pretty cool. We all spent some time jumping waves and P. and Kevin did some boogie boarding, too. We did hit the beach pool every afternoon for a reprieve from the salt and sand and it was so refreshing. Not to mention the pina coladas and margaritas could be found there, too

In the evenings we could be found wandering around Barefoot Landing window shopping or feeding the fish and turtles in the waterway. We sampled some fudge and icecream there too (much to M.'s delight). We did see the resident gator, too. The kids could not believe it was really a real alligator in a swamp and not in the zoo! We also made some time to hit the outlet mall and spent one night mini-golfing at the dinosaur course. Each night was a blast and we enjoyed hanging out with each other. We did hit our fav. dinner spots, too. Thanks Bimini's and Crabcatcher's...you did not disappoint!

On our last day at the beach, the kids were rewarded with a dolphin sighting. Two dolphins were swimming about 100 yards from shore and they got to see them coming up out of the water. K. was mesmerized! (as were her mom and dad)

We have been asked by K. and P. if we can go back to the beach every year. I am inclined to say "YES"!!!