Get Involved, Be Inspired: Utah Buddy Walk 2012

Hop on over to my Photography Blog,

and see how I am Getting Involved.

I have a personal request from all my blog readers

(though I know there aren't many)

to please help support me in this event however you can.

I would love to have a whole bunch of fellow walkers, 

but if you can't; a simple donation is GREATLY appreciated!

Swimming 2012 Part 2

We all know that Sam started swimming lessons this year, 

and we also know that he is doing remarkably well.

We know this because I already blogged about it...

HERE

If you don't know about this, then you had probably pay better attention. 

Well, as I mentioned in that first post, Sam was able to start and was doing remarkably well.  After his first session he advanced up to level 2 without any struggle at all.  He is currently in his fourth session of lessons and is stuck, right there at level two.  Not because he isn't progressing, but because he is simply far too small to obtain the endurance necessary for a level three swimmer.  A level three Swimmer has to be able to swim a long distance without stopping.  He just isn't capable of that yet.

  He is still doing awesome, 

and is fearless as ever.

The below videos were taken on the last day of his third session during testing.  

As you can see from the video he gets winded easily which is why he can't move on to level three.  It really frustrates him, but he understands that practice is what will help him get where he needs to be to advance.

That's one good lookin' boy!

Now, as mentioned in my previous post we had it planned for Brenna to start swimming lessons after she completed school and wrapped up her dance obligations.

She started her first session with total fear of water.  Didn't want to do it, didn't want to get her face wet, didn't even want to try.  Fortunately Brenna's little friend Karis was starting swimming with her, which I feel gave her the extra push to just challenge herself. 

I was completely shocked that on her second day of swimming she wasn't only getting her face wet, but she was completely submerging herself.

This is a HUGE step for her considering she would have major melt downs if one was to even suggest that she attempt to submerge herself. 

(I personally think having a friend in class with her was a huge benefit simply because she didn't want to look like a sissy)

I am so proud of her for pushing through her fear and just doing it.  

Much to her surprise, the water isn't that bad nor is there a need to be scared of it.

Now that she has completed her first session she is doing far more than just submerging herself.  She is working on some strokes, floating on her back, blowing bubbles through her nose and mouth, and also swimming on her back.  Both she and her friend Karis successfully completed level one and have now moved on to level two. 

This girl is just AWESOME!

In the newest session we started this week, both Brenna and Sam are in level 2 together along with Brenna's friend Karis.  

I was originally concerned about having Brenna and Sam in the same class together because of how competitive they are with one another, but thus far it hasn't seemed to be a problem. 

I have paid for a total of 6 sessions between the two kids this summer so I feel it best to call it good after this session is over.  

Brenna has dance starting again soon

(She made an Extreme Dance Team, more to come on that in a different post so watch for it!)

and Sam has expressed interest in Karate so we will be looking into that soon as well.

The kids have both worked so hard at their extra-curricular activities this summer, I feel a short break will be beneficial before things start back up again! 

Happy Summer EVERYONE!

Hope you are all enjoying your's as much as we have!

Independence Day 2012

Okay, I get it...

I'M SLACKIN'

In my defense, I have just been enjoying this past month so much that I frankly just haven't had the desire to get on the computer much nor have I really had the time to.  

This year we had an extra special 4th of July celebration.  Our Brenna participated in her very first parade.  

In all honesty, I felt as though I was living through her for a moment.  I always wanted to be in a parade.  I remember watching them as a kid and thinking how awesome it would be to participate in such a fun event and show off my perfected parade wave...

"Elbow, elbow, wrist, wrist, wrist..."

I would secretly practice that wave in the mirror and pretend that I was standing on a float in a beautiful dress, representing something larger than myself... Royalty.  

When I got to see my little girl so poised, smiling, and thoroughly enjoying every second that the eyes of Magna's people were on her.  I could tell that in that moment she was experiencing that dream I had as a child and I couldn't have been more proud.

I even had to discretely wipe away a few tears that we welling up in my eyes.

Is it lame that I cry?  

I thought it might be so I did my best to hide it.

I WAS SO PROUD!

We were joined by several friends and family at the parade, all just as excited to see our Brenna as I was.  

Once Brenna passed us by I had to rush to pick her and her friends up.  They were fortunate enough to be able to catch the last 20 minutes of the parade. They were happy about that. 

After the parade we relaxed a little at home then headed off to Grandma and Grandpa T's house for a BBQ, where the kids met Baby Wyatt for the first time.

You can read a bit more about that Here.

I was also left with some surprise pictures on my camera from Sister Steph

Thanks Steph!

We ended the night rushing to Magna after out BBQ to catch our local firework display.  It's really perfect.  We just park out butts at a church up the street from our house.  Perfect view and far less people.

We meet Babies....

I'm not sure about ya'll, 

But it seems that this past month there have been babies being born left and right!

I personally have acquired TWO new nephews and

One adorable little niece!

All born over this past month!

(Okay, okay... not a niece by blood, but having been friends with her mother since we were in diapers gives me Auntie bragging rights I think)

I of course had the opportunity to meet these beautiful little babes at the hospital.  My kids unfortunately had to wait until the timing was better.  

My kids were able to first meet their new "cousin"  Pretty lil' Pearl...and they were EVER SO EXCITED!

I was fortunate to take newborn photos of her (post about that coming soon to my photography blog so watch for it) and the kids tagged along with me so they would finally get the opportunity to love on this precious little girl. 

Brenna's first time holding baby Pearl

Sam's first time holding baby Pearl

They were a bit nervous.

I think this is actually there very first time to hold a baby all on their own.

They were absolutely smitten over Pearl, which gave them even more desire to meet there other two new cousins. 

Soon after leaving they began making the requests to meet the other two little boys (one of which was only a couple days old at this point.

Little Wyatt (the oldest of the three newborns) unfortunately lives in Davis county so visiting him isn't the most convenient with everyone's busy schedules.  

On the 4th of July however we had a family BBQ planned with that side of the family, which meant we got to see Baby Wyatt too.

It's all the kids could talk about for days before.  

Once we got there we all immediately flocked to lil' Wyatt who just so happened to be down for a nap.  DARN!

We did eventually get our chance to love on him...

Brenna looked at him, played with his little hands, and kissed on his little cheeks, but didn't want to take the time away from all her other cousins to hold him.  She was content just looking at him.  

Sam however was ALL ABOUT holding him.  

Sam and Baby Wyatt

I even handed him off to Bill for a few minutes.

Though I got the stink eye from him, he talked and played with him and really enjoyed him just as much as the rest of us. 

Bill cursing me out to Baby Wyatt (in baby talk mind you).

Awe, so tender.

I'll admit it.

I kind of ended up hogging little Wyatt once everyone else got a chance to hold him.  I am so baby hungry it isn't even funny.

Considering I can't have anymore (frown, tear, a whole lot of sadness) I had to love on him as much as I possibly could in an attempt to satisfy that baby hungriness. 

Yeah, didn't work...

Just made me want to take him home with me.

Me and Wyatt

I haven't blogged about him yet so I have to give a lil' introduction.

I present to you the newest lil' newborn in our lives...

Quinton Vick Vaca

Or as we call him "Baby Q"

Born: June 28, 2012

@ll:17pm

7lbs 9oz

19 1/2 inches

And of course you can't forget the very proud BIG brothers...

Brenna and Sam didn't have to wait nearly as long to meet Baby Q, but that's only because they live right down the street.

We gave my sister and her family some time to settle in and adjust before invading their space for our own personal benefit.  

I remember the feeling of just getting home,

and though you have much love for your friends and family that family bonding time was one of the ultimate highlights of the new baby experience.

After a long, hard, and trying pregnancy, my sister and her family deserved to have that time alone.

I respected that.

After about a week we got to go over and love on him too.

Sam was perfectly content just looking at Baby Q and playing with his little hands...

Brenna was feeling a little cheated after not having taken the opportunity to hold baby Wyatt and so she jumped right up on the couch and held out her arms for Baby Q.

Brenna and Baby Q

Baby Q even decided to greet us with some adorable smiles.

How could you NOT melt over that face?

Our family has been extremely blessed this past month.  I hear that it is baby season, but we haven't ever been given three beautiful angels in such a short time.

We are grateful for them, 

and we are loving every minute of it.