I got a 4 day weekend!

I said goodbye to Norco last Thursday. It was a little sad. I had already made some good friends there that I will miss seeing every day. BUT alas, it was time to leave and start my weekend. The detective from Canyon called and asked if I could start work on the 7th instead of the 6th, so we were looking at a 4 day weekend! WooHoo!

It started off with some back yard action. We hung out with the pups and planned on some pizza when Dan and Sarah called. They came over and the four of us talked all night. It was great. We really haven't had a chance to hang out with them for a LONG time. Pretty much since I have been working Saturdays and it was nice to finally get our fix. It makes moving here just that much better!

The next day we decided to get out.

We dressed up Shelby in one of her cute Sundresses (I got a ton of them for only $3 each!) and we headed out. We had no idea where we were going.

We ended up at the river, it was beautiful!

There was an island in the middle where people were tanning, fishing and tubing...good ideas for next time.
The boys started out by throwing rocks into the river
that quickly turned into stepping into the river

and then they were IN the river It was sweet to watch how careful they were to watch each other. Paxton would hold Gauge's hand so that he wouldn't fall in and then Gauge used Paxton whenever he wanted some security.

Shelby and I kicked it on the dry side although we did get our feet wet

It was a good time.

It was such a good time that we decided next time we would try the lake.

The next day we were driving around and decided to go get the dogs and see where we ended up.

We grabbed PorterHouse and Big Skye and we took off. Paxton chose between the river and the lake and we ended up at Lake Lowell.

You have to picture this... Two puppies, three kids, equipment...all carried by Ryan and myself. The dogs had never been out before and were being dragged on their leashes. Paxton is wanting to change into his swim trunks that he brought but there were too many people so we told him no. He continued to try to strip as we walked. As this occurred we would yell over our shoulders at him to "get your shorts back on, its not going to happen". Gauge is being a two year old and Shelby has all of the equipment of a diva...er...baby.

It was quite an ordeal!

but we made it and for a little while, we had a good time!
Even the dogs had a good time. The only people they growled at were the lake patrol officers

Shelby and I kicked it on the shore. She was so sweet! It was terribly hot outside and she smiled the whole time!

I took some picture of the boys swimming and then

I laid back and relaxed while the breeze came in and cooled us down.

We had a good time for the most part and decided that maybe next time we will have to get some life jacket's and some toys to play with instead of jumping in with dogs and jeans. We also decided that swimming is much easier at home...

So we got a pool!

This one even Shelby gets to swim in! Look at that little cutie in her bathing suit!

and my sweet boy All in all we had a wonderful weekend full of water, family and BBQ's

So far this summer has been everything a summer is supposed to beI do need to take a minute and thank the Lord for all that we have. I only do it online because I want the boys to know about it.

We had a scary experience while we were at the lake that made us think that we might lose Gauge. We lost sight of him for seconds and when we found him he was struggling and going under. It had to only be seconds but time stopped and so did my heart. Ryan was calling for him and running to save him which is what got my attention. The two of us were talking and lost sight of him for just seconds! In that time he must have lost his footing and was being carried out away from the shore while he struggled to stay above water.

I watched him go under what seemed like 4 or 5 times while he gulped and sank. He didn't know what to do. He wasn't supposed to get that comfortable so fast and we didn't expect this to happen with our quick little "last minute" trip.

For some reason the Lord saw fit to let Ryan see him and catch him in time to save him. In fact almost as soon as he was recovered from the water he got his color back and was fine. He didn't suck any water into his lungs and he didn't injure himself at all. For some reason the Lord blessed us once again when others in the same situation have not been so blessed.

I thank the Lord for this family that I have been blessed with even though I am so insignificant. I feel humbled to be loved so much and to be so happy. I thank the Lord for my little kids. For their health, their safety and for the happiness they bring to us. I love them so much!

Needless to say we hug our kids a little tighter every night. We couldn't imagine this family without any of them! Thank you Lord for this family!