Oh what do you do in the Summertime?

We go to the pool!!! It's actually been a very nice summer here - not too hot. Yes temps have reached over 100, but nothing like we've seen in the past where temps have been over 115 for days on end. We have a couple monsoons and enjoyed some cooler, humid temps. We are normally not around for July so that was a switch for us too - no family vacations, Twin Lakes or any other traveling was done - except for one trip to Vegas for a few days.

I signed up Lea and Lucas for swim lessons at a local pool - El Prado. I was a little nervous, but it was a lot of fun! Abbey and I played in the zero depth part of the pool while the kids had lessons, then we stayed after to play as they were the last lessons and the pool was then open to the public. We'd eat lunch, play and go home for naps. 8 weeks! And you'd think we would have walked away with better tans......but we didn't. Instead we used about 9 bottles of sunscreen. :)

You'll notice a couple things here: one at the top right - Lucas being assisted off the board....he refused to swim the first session (the day he turned 4....), moved him up to level 2 and he suddenly became Michael Phelps and had no fear of swimming or jumping off the board. Even Jeff got in on the diving board action. There were sunny days and the very last day was Lea's birthday and it was super cloudy - the pool actually closed early because of possible monsoon weather. Abbey and her friend Sadie looking out the rod-iron fence....cute friends. We'll be back next year! Great teachers and lots of friends!

A couple videos:

Beckers Backyard:
We drove out to see our people who moved to Gilbert and enjoy their backyard pool. I stayed clear of the action and tried not to get motion sickness from all the "waves". Fun times at Frys Marketplace - so awesome! :) Jeff does a belly flop after they (Geoff and Jeff) threw a few too many kids into belly flops. Luke the shirtless wonder - he was so happy to go without his sun shirt (6 pm) and his cannon ball; Abbey actually playing with her daddy. :) They swam non-stop!

Chandler Aquatic Center: I love this place - we went a couple times last year, but had not made it this year. We went for the 24th of July with Palfreemans and Whettens.

What the pictures don't tell: Imagine an audible "girlie" gasp from the 2 crazies (Jeff and Scott) doing 'dives' off the high dive. :) Lea went off the high dive - unfortunately, I missed the in between photo of diving board to splash..... there was no convincing her to go back either, but I was very impressed she went at all.

When not at the pool - it's been really hot to just play outside, but we got the bikes out and even exercised with Dad - trying to be healthy!!!

Bob and Jillian (Biggest Loser Wii workout) - watch out - future trainers in training!