google reader's gone and other thoughts...

It's July 1st and supposedly Google Reader will magically disappear when the clock strikes midnight. I'll miss good ol' Reader... it has been a loyal friend. I think I've used it daily for who knows how many years now. I've looked at Bloglovin' and Feedly, and Feedly seems to be the best fit for me and my daily blog-browsing. Hope so!

Other random thoughts...

• Grayson's swim team season is sadly coming to a close. He has had a ball this summer, and has improved so much... especially with his butterfly and breaststroke. He loves the competitive part of the swim meets and we do, too!
• Carter is dying to play on a soccer team this fall. :) This is the same age Grayson was when he started playing. Wow!
• Carter's big feat this summer is being totally self-sufficient in the pool. He can swim in the shallow or deep end, and be totally fine. And he can dive now!
• We have had such a nice, mild summer to date. Only one 100 degree day! Today the high was only 82, so after swim team, we headed to the zoo. Crazy for Kansas in July!!
• It has been so fun watching the boys play together, but they can also go after each other. Currently they're into making fart noises by squeaking a hand in their armpits. Apparently it's really cool.
• We've been doing some long bike rides in the mornings, and Grayson loves to bring his Nerf bow and arrow, and shoot whatever we see. He has successfully shot rabbits, geese, and ducks so far.
• We (the boys and I) have been watching The Brady Bunch re-runs this summer, and it so reminds me of my childhood. We loved the Bradys! :)
• The boys have both been sleeping late this summer, which I LOVE! This morning they both slept until 9:05! Woo-hoo!
• But, that means that Carter is pretty much done with afternoon naps. He has maybe taken 2 naps since May. Will he really be in Pre-K in August?!?

That's all for now... Happy July!!

soaking up the sun

We have spent A LOT of time at the pool... and we love it!!

Grayson has had a blast doing swim team, and has had 3 swim meets already.

Carter is fearless and is going off the diving board by himself. :)

 Grayson with his ribbons from last night's meet... two 2nd place finishes and a 4th! Yay!

 Carter decided to try out Grayson's swim cap

Grayson gets some air!!

 Carter does a cannonball!!

brothers!

 Grayson and Elliot having a blast in the water
Here are a couple quick videos of the boys going off the board today!

 

 

 

'76 scout international

Dad got his pride and joy, a.k.a. "The Scout" out of storage and has been perusing the streets of Wichita in style. It's completely restored, though the AC doesn't work, there are no shoulder-crossing seat belts, and it badly needs a muffler. But, it draws lots of attention, love, questions, and requests for rides! Dad loves every minute of it... except for the lack of AC. ;)

 

happy father's day

We celebrated both Jerry and Gramps on Sunday at our house, with a Mexican fiesta! The guys had requested enchiladas, so we cooked up a storm! We had sour cream chicken enchiladas, homemade salsa and guacamole, salad, and fresh lemon pie. Yum!

 Carter, Jerry, Dad, and Grayson

you can see my first homemade bunting in the background -- it says "We {heart} Dads" -- actually it was fun to make!

 the boys worked on a special project with Nana to give to Jerry

 all the things they love about him... :)

piggyback rides after dinner!

Notice the sweet dress socks that Carter is sporting... oh yeah.

fishing with dad

Jerry and the boys have gone fishing in our neighborhood several times over the past few weeks. The boys absolutely love it, and I think Jerry loves having an excuse to "have" to make a stop at Cabela's. It seems like they're always needing some more bait... :)

Here are two short videos of both the boys catching a fish!

Carter catches one...

then Grayson gets his!!

Grayson being cheesy, Jerry holding his fish, and Carter being tough.

All in a day's work. :)

grayson's swim meet #1

Saturday morning was a beautiful morning for Grayson's first swim meet of the season! It was actually cool and slightly breezy... perfect for cheering on our sweet swimmers!

 Shandy writes his different races on his arm with a Sharpie... and their names on their chests!

 soccer and swimming buds!

 3/4 of their two relay teams!

 diving in during warm-ups... brrrr!!

 Grayson swimming his leg of the relay...

 then cheering on his buddies during their legs!

 diving in for another race -- Coach Ben watching closely :)

 so fun to have AL and Nana there!

(Grayson still has his game-face on...)

 swimming the butterfly

Grayson's two relays took first place in the meet! Here's the results from one of them!

Great job, Grayson!

there's a food truck in our neighborhood

Last week, one of our local food trucks, The Flying Stove, came to our neighborhood for dinner. It was a fun time of chatting with neighbors around the pool and eating yummy food.

 waiting in line...

 the boys got sliders -- poor Grayson had a wicked fall off his bike earlier in the week and had the road rash on his face and knees to prove it