Jill's first trip to the beach!

It seemed that all of our "plans" for the summer fell during the last week of July.  I was working my camp, Robert was working his camp, Robert's sister was getting married, and his best friend from college was getting married.  Phew!  Both weddings were on the beach - just not the same one.  We ended up getting everywhere we needed to be on time (just) and had a fabulous time in the process!

Coby at camp.




My sister-in-law's wedding in Cocoa Beach.



Right before our friend Amanda's wedding.

The wedding.

The kids ready for bed after dinner, but Robert delivered cake to the room for us :)  And our room looked out onto the courtyard where the reception continued with dancing.

The next morning we went down to the beach, which was GORGEOUS!!!

Tee Ball

I hate it when emails are misunderstood...I volunteered to "help out" with Coby's tee ball team this summer and that somehow got me the position of head coach.  Huh?   Fortunately, Robert agreed to help out and I got a friend from school with tee ball experience (who then convinced her husband to help out as well!) to assist with our first few practices - until we got our bearings.  We've now had two games and I am loving it!  The kids are throwing, catching (not quite as well as the throwing), running the bases in the right order and hitting the snot out of the ball, all while having a great time!  Have already agreed to do it again.

Two Tails Ranch

When Paul and Erin were vising with the girls, Aunt Lulu made arrangements for all of us to go to Two Tails Ranch out in Williston.  Williston is bigger than Alsea, but smaller than Philomath and it was definitely a surprise to find out that they have an elephant sanctuary out there!




Coby and Cory watching the elephant do tricks and paint.



Did not know that the reason that elephants are constantly moving and rocking is that they are so heavy that if they stood in one spot or laid down for more than 40 minutes the weight and constant pressure on their organs is so much that they could die!


Coby feeding the elephant a carrot.





There are also zebras, tortoises, an emu and an ostrich at the ranch!

All the cousins (and me).

4th of July

On the night of the 3rd we drove up to the top of a parking garage to watch UF's annual Fanfare and Fireworks.  This was the first year Coby wasn't too freaked out to hold a sparkler :)

Then for the 4th we swam at the public pool, barbequed in the backyard, and then lit off fireworks in the driveway.  Jillian didn't mind the far off "big" fireworks the night before, but she was not a fan of them close up!

Swim lessons

For the past 2 weeks we've had Coby in swim lessons 4 mornings a week.  He's LOVING it!  His favorite day is definitely Thursday when the lifeguards take the kids down the slide on their laps.

And Jill is keeping busy too of course...