Last Day of Swimming Lessons

I hestitated to put Syd in swimming lessons. I was worried because she started out this summer and all of her life really terrified of getting her face in the water. It was always a battle washing her hair because she was so worried about water getting in her eyes. However all that has changed! My first clue that this was going to be great was after her first day she decided she now wants to be a swim teacher when she grows up. It must have been pretty darn good, because for the past year Sydney wanted to grow up to be a store person, not the person that works in the store but the person that buys things. Anyway, she now swims underwater, will hold her breath underwater,and learned to float, and do the front and back stroke. All in just 2 weeks of swim lessons. She now loves the water!!

Our Projects!

We have been finally getting some projects done around the house. We really don't like the brick on our fireplace (or house for that matter), but did not want the painted brick look so we thought we would try and stain it to keep a natural look. We finished it on Friday night. It went better than I thought, and now I think we will do the rest of the house. Tyler is going to make a new mantle and crown molding for the fireplace which I think will complete the look.
























































Then on Saturday morning we started putting new siding on our house. We just got one area above the garage done, but we got it up and all painted. We are trying to just work on one section at a time and complete it before moving on to the next. It looks so much better. I like the fresh new look of it. The only thing we did not finish is the painting the trim, I haven't decided on a color yet. So we only have to use all our spare time for the rest of the summer and we'll have it done!!

It's always fun when Grandpa and Grandma Come!

Tyler's parents just made a trip out to see us. They could only stay 4 days but it was so nice to spend time with them. Friday morning when Layton woke up and saw Grandpa, he immediatley found his bat and handed Grandpa the ball. He was ready to play. Syndey loved painting nails with Grandma and watching Grandma put her make up on do here hair. We went swimming on base and met Tyler for lunch. He had his blues on that day, he usually wears his camo to work and so I had to take a picture, I think he looks so good in his blues. On Saturday Tyler and his Dad had to check out the local gun shop and took the boys with them and us girls went to the mall. Grandma was so nice and let Syndey pick out a new outfit for school. Of course she picked out a Hanna Montana shirt. On Sunday we just took it easy played a few games and went for a walk. Monday the kids swam in the yard while Grandma and I watched,Tyler and Grandpa were investigating Tyler's latest project of putting new siding up on the house, then we went bowling, and took his Dad in to tak a look at his eyes. Tyler's parents also watched the kids a couple mornings so we could go running together, which was so nice! It was so much fun to have them here with us and can't wait to see them and all our family again!

Sherrie's Visit

My sister Sherrie came to visit. It was fun to see her and her family. The kids especially loved playing with their cousins. We did about everything ther is to do in Enid and then we went and spent a few days in Edmond (right outside OK city)nad went to the 4th celebrations there. Sherrie did a much better job pf jornaling the trip and taking pics so if you'd like a full report check out her blog.

finally posting pics from Utah trip

Catch Up

Okay so it really has been too long since I blogged. We went on vacation the day after Sydney's
recital. We spent two wonderful weeks in Utah. It was so much fun to
see and spend time with family. We spent our first week with my
parents. On the Sunday before Memorial Day Tyler went to Temple Square
and watched The Music and Spoken Word. My brother Spencer plays the
bass the the Orchestra on Temple Square so we couldn't miss this opportunity to watch him play. It was amazing. I really think going to this will have to be a tradition
when we visit. The music was beautiful and so much better in person.
Then on memorial we planned a family bike ride with everyone, but were
rained out so we decided to do a family photo scavenger hunt. We
divided into groups and made lists for each of thing to take pictures
of. It was fun just to be together. The rest of the week we just hung
out withfam and played, until the weekend we went to Park City Tyler had some CE conference there and we had a hotel payed for so my fam cam up again and we all went swimming together and then on Saturday night my parents took all 3 of my little monkeys and Tyler and I spent a night just the two of us! This was the first time we have ever been just us overnight since we had kids, okay actually the 2nd Tyler's parent to the kids when I was prego
with Jack but I was throwing up the whole time, so I don't count that.
Anyway it was fun having sun together we went swimming in the pool and
actually swam. Anyway thanks Mom and Dada you guys are the best!!!
then we headed down to Hatch which really is a retreat itself. I love Hatch! It is so peacful and beautiful. I really need to take a picture of the view from Tyler's
parents kitchen window looking out at the pink cliffs. You really have
to see it to really appreciate it. We had lots of fun there riding on
the 4-wheeler, going on walks, having a cookout at 'the Hole'(thetraditional Barney fam cookout spot). But I think our favs were going treasure hunting with Grandpa (geo tracking), if you have not ever done this you should it was really fn
and the monkeys loved finding there own little treasure at the end of
each little hike. However Sydney's most favorite thing to do in Hatch
is work in the post office with Grandma. Ty's mom is theHatch postmaster and she is so sweet and lets Sydney go to work with her. sydney loves it and can spend hours upon hours with Grandma
there. She even mad Syd a special name tag while she 'worked' there
that said 'Hatch Post Office Helper'. She just loved it! I wish I would
have gotten a picture of her with her Grandma at the PO. Needless to
say we had a great time and now writing this makes me really miss ourfam. Hopefully our time will come when we can live close again.
Since being back we have been having lots of fun going to the pool, working
in the yard, going to the pool, having out own little school, going to
the pool. We are glad it's summer and are busy having fun!!

Dancin' Daisies

Sydney has been going to dance and gymnastic this past year. She has
enjoyed it so much and we loved being able to watch her perform. We are
amazed at her focus.
I have a short video clip but stopped filming when I couldn't zoom in
and see Syndey, but it's still cute.