Swim Season

The boys had such a great time being part of the Belcamp swim team over the summer.

It was even more fun because a bunch of kids from church joined the team so there were always plenty of friends to hang out with during the wait time in between races.

Swim buddies - Jack, Gabe, and Noah!

To help out the team I went through the training to be an official. Check out my snazzy white polo and navy shorts I got to wear for each meet. And there's little Noah, about to dive in.

Working on that freestyle!

And it's Xander's turn to be in my lane. I really enjoyed being an official, especially because it made the meets go by really quickly. I did hate DQing little kids, though. Thank goodness I never had to DQ my own.

The boys had one meet inside...

but the rest were outside, early on Saturday mornings and Wednesday evenings. It was awesome to watch the boys' times improve over the course of the season!

And finally, at the last meet of the summer, each of the boys won their very first heat ribbon (first place in their heat)! I was so proud of them. Butterfly for Xander...

and backstroke for Noah. Noah actually touched the wall and then turned to continue on with the race, planning to swim a 50 rather than a 25. Everyone was yelling "Noah, stop", trying to get his attention, but he was cranking it back down the lane. Finally, about midway, he much have sensed something and stopped, looking around him at the other lanes empty of swimmers. It was super cute although I was a little worried they were going to DQ him. Thank goodness they didn't and he got that ribbon!

We celebrated the season with a team party that involved a lot of food and recognition and awards for all the swimmers.

The boys both told me that they are planning on swimming again next summer, they loved it so much! Go Piranhas!

Our Googs

These two were an answer to this girl's prayers. She told me for several months that she wanted cats and then one day, boom, out of the woods came these two little kitties with their mom. They were feral and would spaz out if we came near them. After a couple weeks, when the kittens were probably about 3 months old, the mom took off and the kittens stayed. Over time, with lots of patience and love, Savannah was able to help them feel loved and wanted and we have had them ever since. Princess has always remained a little skittish but Googie was full of love for all of us.  He loved to be pet and held and cuddled and was one of the sweetest cats I've ever known.  Yes, I am using past tense for a reason - we last saw our sweet Googs in May.  He had been spending a lot of time away from home this spring, only showing up every couple of days to eat and say hello.  He just wasn't himself.  I took him to the vet twice to get injuries and bites taken care of but he continued to look more scruffy, like he wasn't taking care of himself, and he was a bit less inclined to cuddle with us.  The last time I saw him he was sleeping on one of the deck chairs.; I wish now I had gone out and given him some kisses. We all definitely miss our Googs!

One of my favorite afternoons with him. He found this dead snake and had a ball throwing it around.

He was named Googs because of his goopy eyes. No matter what the vet did the goop just never seemed to clear up.

He was honestly such a sweet cat, even hanging out with all of Princess's kittens and playing with them. I couldn't find it but I have a picture of him sleeping with all of them in the bin, paws carefully around them and snuggling, while Princess was at the vet getting fixed. I've always thought that was such unusual behavior for a male cat but that was our Googs!

Smile for the camera!

Hangin' out with Savannah during her homeschooling days.

Googie wanted to be a house cat so badly. Any time we opened the back door he'd come running in, especially if the weather wasn't too great outside. He'd plop himself down on the carpet and stretch himself out, rolling all over, embracing the feel of just being inside. It always made me laugh.

The last picture I took of him, sometime in the spring. He and Princess are ready to eat!

There have been a lot of tears shed over his loss and even writing this post was difficult. The kids asked me where I think he is and I honestly told them that I think he passed away, hopefully peacefully. I think if he was still alive he would come see us. I did this little memorial of him because I never want to forget what a special cat he was and the joy he brought into our lives.

Hangin' With the Boys

With Savannah at EFY we had enough room in our car for each of the boys to have a friend tag along on an adventure so Noah got Eli and Xander chose Devin and off we all went to Rock State Park for a day.

It is such a beautiful place!

Best buds!

It was a hot summer day so the boys quickly got in the water to have some fun!

We had invited friends to join us because the more the merrier, right?

Emma Knox always seems to find Xander!

Lunch break!

And then right back at it!

Such a crazy group!

In the afternoon we decided to head over to "the rock".

The weather was starting to turn sour but the boys got some quality jumps in before the rain got going.

Lovin' the summer life!

I am so grateful that Xander has such a great best friend. These two are quite the pair.

One last jump for Noah and Eli...

and a free fall into the water before heading out.

We made it to the car before the storm truly hit, thank goodness! And by the time we hit the Jarrettsville Creamery, the storm was done. I couldn't think of a better way to end our fun adventure than ice cream cones!!!