Keeping Up With Summer Fun

  Our summer has been busy one this year. It is hard to believe that with in a month my young man will be returning to school. Even though it has been busy for the two of us, we have enjoyed every minute of it. We have done several spurt of the moment things which is nice. We are going to miss them when Joel returns back to school. We have a few things left to do this summer yet.
  Right before our school let out our Grandparents from Arkansas came up to visit us. We went and visited graves one of the days when they were here. When we went that day we took our Grandparents to our favorite Mexican place to eat. They loved it. So, hopefully the next time that they are here we will go back. We tend to spoil them when they are here. Okay we get spoiled too.

While our Grandparents were here we went on a weekend trip to Kansas to visit family. Our Uncle turned 70, and Grandpa wanted to be there for the big special day. It had been almost 7 years since we saw them last. Joel was just turned a year old the last time we were there. So, it has been a long time. Joel loved hearing about our Uncle's time spent in the military. Usually children get board of hearing stories of that kind of stuff, but not Joel. I think our Uncle could tell him for days. He was so interested. Our Uncle even showed him where he was stationed, and even a tank that is on display now. 
  Since Joel loves history, and learning about the former Presidents. So, our Grandparents, our Aunt and Uncles, and I took Joel to the Dwight D. Eishenhower museum. Joel loved learning about everything that day. He soaked everything in. So, now we have seen two Presidents things. Joel wants to see more. Hopefully I can take him to see more someday. 
  While we were in Kansas we got to celebrate our Uncle's birthday at a party. We went to our cousins house in the country. Joel got to meet his cousins that were around his age. They had fun playing. Joel also got to have fun swimming in their pool. It was his first time in the pool of the summer.

 Soon as we got back from out mini vacation Joel started swimming lessons. He worked very hard. He even practiced when he just went to swim and have fun at the pool. He hard work paid off. He passed again this year. So, on to level 3 next summer. His goal is to pass each year, and go through all the levels so some summer he can be a lifeguard. I am very proud of him.
  This summer Joel got to Boy Scout Camp over night with his godfather. Joel earned enough for both of them to go through his fundraisers. I was so proud of him. They had great bonding time. Joel got to prove to his godfather that never underestimate him. Joel wanted to shoot an adult size bow that was about as big as him. Well, Joel shot it, and hit the bulls eye. Way to go Joel!

Joel has enjoyed getting outside, and having fun. He has enjoyed riding his bike. Any given day he is having a blast just riding up and down the street. This year he decided to start trying to do tricks. The first few times he fell, but he kept trying over and over. Now he is doing different things. Thank goodness he wears a helmet, and I have ice packs and bandaids. Oh, and we live in a town that has a 24 hour ER.
  We probably will go fishing a few more times yet. We have plans to go to Arkansas, and spend time with our family down there. Also end the summer vacation by going to the State Fair to wrap every thing up hopefully.