Summer Swim

This summer I decided it was time for Ellie to learn to have some water safety skills taught to her as well as some swim techniques. I know swim lessons are expensive but they are so worth the time and money. This skill of swimming will forever be a safety skill that all children need to learn. Ellie has improved tremendously in the water. She has gone from not wanting to put her head in the water, to swimming out on her own and loving her goggles! I am so glad that we did these swim lessons! If she didn't learn her strokes, atleast she has gained confidence in the water! This is what we have been up to this last month and a half! Lots of SWIMMING! The streamline position

The push and kick

The smooth glide in

The exasperated finale

And of course the girly vogue shot! Ellie's thinking: "Thanks mom! You're the best!)

Thanks!

The whole Johnson Gang minus the Everetts! We missed you guys!

This is exactly what my girls felt like after this fun filled weekend!

Happy Fourth!

We celebrated the Fourth in Sacramento with the Johnson Clan. We went over to Bubbas ward pancake breakfast for a patriotic presentation, breakfast and parade! Ellie had fun leading the group,

Amerie and her trusted driver, Matt-Matt brought up the rear

Our only family picture of the whole weekend and the girls were pooped!

Fireworks

And a super excited girl because she got to light some fireworks!

Pool Fun!

The highlight of the weekend if you asked Ellie, was swimming in Bubbas pool! Ellie was a complete fish. Swimming for hours and hours. It was really fun to just sit outside and watch all the fun! From the raging slides down the water slide

Uncle James entertaining us all with his adolescent flips,

And soaked all of those not participating in the fun!

Ellie absolutely loved the diving board and wanted to be just like Dad!

Of course, its never to hot for the spa tub! James and all of the kids! (Abel in red, Emily in green, Marissa peaking out from Em, Ames with James and Ellie behind Abel)

And of course my little land munchin, never wants to get wet! But spend time with her Gramps!

Sacramento Trip

We headed out to Sacramento, to spend Fourth Of July weekend with the Johnsons. We had lots of family there, and Ellie was soo excited to see all of her cousins. And Ames just kept saying "cute cheeks"(her favorite cousin Matt-Matt from Santa Rosa)! We had so much fun! The first day we were there we headed out to a train ride and then to the Folsom Zoo! Ellie made a new favorite cousin/friend whom she could play the damsel in distress with! Her cousin Adam and she were inseparable, literally...

Ames, me, Jenn (James' sister) her daughter Hannah on the train ride. Can you tell Ames is not used to the blazing heat...poor Southern Cali girl!

Bubba (Grandma Johnson) and all the little ones at the zoo!

The Infamous Matt-Matt (Amerie's one love.. he gave her the nickname of cute cheeks and now calls him "cute cheeks" back!), Adam, Ames and Ellie at the Zoo

But the fun doesn't end there....