Cox Arboretum...

We took the girls to another one of the Metro Parks today. This time we went to the Cox Arboretum. The girls were very excited to see the butterfly house. They also helped their dad pack a picnic. It was nice to sit down and relax in such a beautiful setting. What a neat park, and great place to take some pictures...

The girls...

Sew Cool...

Logan has been learning to sew at regular sewing lessons with Mrs. Linda, our next door neighbor, for about six weeks now. She was so excited and proud when she came home today with her first finished sewing project: an apron! Look how well she did!

Logan modeling her first creation...

Swimming, Swimming, and More Swimming...

It has been so hot (and humid) here lately, that there hasn't been anything we'd rather do than go to the pool. All three girls started swimming lessons last week. They really enjoy going, and have really improved their skills...especially Carsyn! Also, all three girls have even gone off the diving boards (with help of course for the little ones.) Since we are not members at any of the local swim clubs, we've been going to the pool on base a lot (it's free ; )! But, several of our friends who are members have generously invited us to their pools too. So, the girls have been in the water pretty much everyday this summer!

Getting ready for swim lessons...

Hanging with friends...

Base pool...

Thinking about the diving boards...

Good times...

Wegerzyn Gardens...

The city of Dayton has 19 metro parks, so today we decided to take advantage of that. We picked the Wegerzyn Gardens because it has a water play area so the girls could stay cool. It was really beautiful, and the girls had a great time. We will definitely be back!

Playing in the waterfall...

Relaxing...

Happy Father's Day!

We had a great Father's Day weekend. Yesterday we took daddy to see Toy Story 3 in 3D (actually, he took us). He had really been looking forward to seeing this--even more so than the girls. It was definitely worth the wait. It was great! Afterward we went to 5:30 mass, and then out to eat. Today we had a nice, relaxing day at home. The girls put on their bathing suits and helped daddy wash our cars. Hope all the dads and grandpas out there had a nice Father's Day!

The girls and their daddy...

Maren was in the modeling mood...

It's So Hard To Say Goodbye...

Today Logan's friend had a little going away party for Lakyn at the pool. All the girls had such a great time together. Unfortunately, Logan had to leave in the middle of it for tennis camp. But, we picked her up a little early so she could come back and say goodbye. Carsyn has not been taking this well. She cried a lot after Lucey left the pool today. It's always hard to say goodbye to friends, especially ones that we've grown really close to. Usually we're the ones who are doing the moving. But, it's still sad either way. I guess that's the military life. We already miss you guys, and can't wait to plan a trip to Montana!

Swim time...

Maren having fun too...

The whole gang: Maren, Caterina, Lucey, Carsyn,

Lakyn, Makenzie, Logan, Megan, & Meghan...

Carsyn and her Best Friend...

While Logan's Away...

Today while Logan was working hard in the hot sun at tennis camp, mommy took Carsyn and Maren to the pool on base. Poor Logan. She was a little upset when she found out, but she's going to the pool tomorrow with her friends--so she got over it.

Maren and Carsyn at the pool...

The Greene With the Girls...

Ever since the girls found out that their friends, Lakyn and Lucey were moving, they have been pretty bummed. Well, with only a few more days before the big move, the girls invited them over for one last playdate. They came over while Logan was at tennis, and they had a great time playing with Carsyn and Maren. After we picked up Logan from camp, we went over to The Greene to play in the fountain and get some ice cream. All five girls had so much fun.

B.F.F.'s...

Secrets...

Resting...

Drying off...

Yummy...

Carsyn and Lucey...

Logan and Lakyn...

Girl Time...

Tennis Camp...

Logan began tennis camp on Monday. When I first told her that she was going to "camp", she got a little scared, thinking that it was an overnight camp. It's not. She has really been enjoying it, and seems to be improving each day. While she's been at tennis, Carsyn and Maren have been busy playing outside and filling up their kiddie pool.

Taking a water break...

Working up a sweat...

Summer playtime...

Logan's "Wacky Wednesday" tennis camp attire...

Summer Days...

Well, the girls have been out of school for one week...and no major injuries or fights to report ; ). Actually, it hasn't been too bad having everyone home all day, everyday. We've been taking it pretty easy. However, the girls remind me daily that it's "summer vacation" and we should be going on vacation, and not staying home. Gosh, where would they have gotten that idea? Next week Logan will start tennis and swimming starts the week after that, so we should have more to post on in the coming days.

The girls before mass this evening...

Strawberry Festival...

Today after church we drove up to Troy, OH for their annual Strawberry Festival. The weather was beautiful, and the girls loved sampling the delicious strawberry shortcake and chocolate dipped strawberries!

The girls...

Strawberries...

Yum...

Time To Dance...

We had a very busy two days. After Logan got home from school on her last day, we had to get ready for a super-early dinner because of their dance rehearsal. It was a long night because Carsyn's class was third to go on, Logan's was third from the end, and Maren's was somewhere in the middle. The girls all did really well, patiently waiting to go on.

Carsyn...

Maren...

Logan...

Saturday morning was more of the same. Only this time it was even more stressful because we had to do hair and make up. But, the girls had fun watching all the other dancers.

Carsyn's ballet routine...

Maren's Skunk Song...

Logan's ballet class...

As soon as Logan's class finished up their dance, we jumped in the car to drive down to cousin Corey's graduation party in Cincinnati. The girls really wanted to stay longer, but we had to get back for the recital. At least they were able to see Grandma T. and some aunts, uncles, and cousins!

The girls with cousins Claire and Corey...

So after only an hour in Cincy, we were headed back north for the big show. I volunteered to chaperon backstage because I wanted to make sure that the girls were behaving themselves, and also so they would go on stage semi-put-together. So while I had to entertain the girls backstage--with no air conditioning--for nearly three hours, daddy got to sit in the nice, cool, comfy auditorium (and nap, for all I know). And, he had the nerve to tell me afterward how boring and painful it all was...men! The girls were awesome, but it sure was a very long day. Afterward we enjoyed a delicious celebratory dinner. Glad it's all over, for now anyway.

Carsyn and Maren backstage...

Logan getting ready to go on...

Post-show pic...