Summer Fun

We have been spending a lot of time at the pool this summer!  It has been great as Landon and Connor have taken swimming lessons (on their last week of two sets) and are doing so much better in the water!  Lindsay Jane has had quite an introduction to the water and loves loves loves it!

Landon, more comfortable every day, has made me so proud.  He did not want to take swimming lessons last summer and we ended up putting him in private lessons for two rounds...oy on the cost of that...but it was worth it.  He is able to tread water for 30 seconds and is almost able to swim the length of the pool!  We are so proud of him!

He has also been noticeably growing up this summer.  He has been so much more patient, for the most part, and has even stopped to smile for some pictures with dear old mom...

I just love this picture!  We were at the pool and they were giving away snow cones...our boys' first!  Obviously they were a huge hit!  They are looking so much a like and Connor is swiftly catching up with Landon in height. They way about the same (Connor weighs a few pounds more) and wear the same size clothes.  I get asked all the time if they are twins...

Connor, Connor, Connor...boy oh boy...this summer has been a challenge with this little super hero.  He has been like a little wild man.  I truly think 3's are harder than 2's and dare I say any age that I have so far parented.  Connor is so sweet at heart but he has really been trying my patience with his "selective hearing".  We are working on it and as long as he stops peeing on things other than the toilet, I think we will get through this...  He is still as tenderhearted as they come and I just adore his thoughtful heart.  He is growing up so fast!

Lindsay Jane is getting more and more mobile, they boys are getting used to this new skill...so far they are being pretty patient...but look at that look in her eyes!!!  She is going to be all over them!

She loves the water so much!

And has started clapping.

And eating and loving watermelon...

Did I mention something about the 3's?  Does this not say it all?  Look at those big brown eyes...they get me every time...

This is one of my all time favorites!  Stan used to do this with the boys where he takes them between his feet and makes their little feet run on the ground...giggles abound every time!

So sweet from the back too!

Lindsay Jane and her daddy.  Boy, is this guy in trouble...

There is that smile I love!  He was helping me bake in this one.  Now that is an interesting feat...baking with a 3 and 6 year old.  I tell you, they are learning and I think they like it.  I will hopefully pass on my cooking and baking skills to my boys and girl...watch out ladies, these boys are going to know the kitchen!

Stan has been dabbling in some photography and caught this extra sweet pose of Lindsay Jane.  Could you not just eat her up?

Stan and Landon posing for a picture with Stan's tripod.  I love these two guys!

Me and my girl.

Now, what do I do with these?  Look at that look of wonder.  I love it.

Hope you enjoyed a brief "day in the life of the Cole family" summer snapshot.  We are loving up our three kids and we are tired.  But, we are so very blessed.

Our Weekend at High Rock Lake

Well, since we started this whole crew...I thought the above picture was a fitting title photo!  Allison and I have been the best of friends since our freshman year of college.  We met at Granville Towers in the middle of Hurricane Fran!    Through life's ups and downs, we have always known the power of a true friendship.  It is an amazing blessing to have both she and her family in my life.  Weekends that we actually get to spend a lot of time together are few and far between, but so refreshing, none-the-less.

I think this shot had the most people actually facing the camera...hard to get 5 kids ages 6 and under to look at the camera at the same time!!

You can see Connor really liked being on the boat! We were so blessed to have Allison's parents join us for Friday while Stan and Mike worked.  They are amazing troopers and took this crazy crew out on the lake!

Clearly, Landon also thought being on the boat was pretty cool.

I love to see how Allison loves my kids and they love her.  It is so heartwarming. :)

Lindsay Jane's first boat ride.  I think she liked the boat and water but loathed the life jacket!!

These two are the best of friends as well.  It is so sweet and so special to see how close they are, just like their mommies are!

Allison's dad, Rick, with Nicholas.  All American Pop!!

Mimi (Allison's mom, Carol) with Landon and Caroline.  I absolutely adore this picture.  Carol and Rick have always been really special to me as they took me in in a lot of ways while my parents were in Sweden when I was in college.  Their love has always been so genuine and so dear to my heart.  You can just see Carol's sweetness shining through in this picture.

What a crew!!  I adore these three little joys!

Nicholas, a pro on the boat! And absolutely adorable!

Lindsay Jane really liked Mimi too!  She doesn't let that many people hold her!

More sweet smiles...

Loving the boat!

Two conked out little ones!

I also adore this picture and the way Nicholas is looking at Connor.  So precious.

Stan arrived and did get a little fishing in.

Rick also rigged a slide off the dock for us to enjoy!  Caroline was the only one who would consistently go off of it!

There was one of Connor's trips!

Lindsay Jane stayed in the little pool.

Caroline being silly!

Allison loving up on my littlest one.  I so love this picture.  What pure joy.

Landon and Caroline teaching Lindsay the ropes...

Connor and Nicholas playing dominoes.

Four little munchkins!

Daddy and Connor.

Mike, a non-lake-swimmer like me, showing off a lizard he found.

The boys!

Loving his mama!

My happy girl.

Love the realness of joy in this picture.

I will end with this shot.  What a wonderful weekend we had.  I would love to blog longer but my 10 minute of nap overlap has ended.  I am really missing space to write right now and I am feeling it.  I pray I will be able to find that space again soon.  Until then, hope you like the pictures and very short recap of a very blessed weekend.