Swim Lessons 2011

Last week the older 3 kids finished up swim lessons. They each go for a half hour a day for 2 weeks. I saw great improvement in each of them. Bradley learned flip turns, Kylie learned how to float on her back and Ben learned how to swim with his face in the water! I'm proud of them and how much they learned. They each passed their level and have gotten a lot more comfortable in the water. Bradley has become such a proficient swimmer that I think he may be done with swim lessons and start taking diving lessons next year. Little Grant was so good for me while we were there and just ran around and played. He still has 2 more years until he gets to start swim lessons. Below are some pictures from the 2 Fridays of lessons. The first Friday, they got to show off some skills and the second Friday they get to go off the diving board and water slide.

Ben swimming

Kylie floating on her back

Bradley swimming

Ben smiling for the camera before jumping!

He did it!

Ben loved the water slide

Kylie in action

Bradley "walking" on water!

Phillippi Family Reunion/Vacation (Warning: Long Post!)

At the beginning of June my parents, brothers and sisters along with their families all met down in Southern California for vacation. We left on June 2 after Dan got off work and drove to St. George for the night. The next day we drove the rest of the way to Newport Beach to the Marriott Newport Coast Villas. This is probably one of my favorite places on the planet. It is so relaxing and gorgeous. The first Saturday morning we were there, all the girls (except Melissa), got pedicures and the little girls got manicures too. It was so relaxing and the best way to start vacation! Sunday was Grant's 2nd birthday and he started the day with some presents, a bath and naptime. In the afternoon, my grandma, aunt, uncle and cousins met us at the villas for a bbq to celebrate my grandma's 80th birthday and Grant's 2nd birthday. It was really special to have all the grandkids and great grandkids together to celebrate her day.
Monday was Day 1 at Disneyland. We started the day at Goofy's Kitchen for a delicious breakfast. Afterwards we went into the park. It was crowded, but the weather was perfect. We rode on everything we wanted to and the kids did great. The next day was great because it was spent by the pool relaxing. We went to Kung Fu Panda 2 that night in Downtown Disney. The older 3 kids ran into the park with Dan for a couple hours afterward to ride a few more rides.
Wednesday was Day 2 at Disneyland. We started in California Adventure and ran over to Disneyland in the afternoon to ride the new Star Tours ride. Ben's face was even put up on the screen on the ride. He was so excited! That night we had a picnic and watched World of Color. That was such an incredible show!
Thursday was spent shopping and swimming. The boys went to see a movie that night while the kids and moms made smores at the fire pit. We were supposed to leave on Friday morning, but we begged and pleaded and my dad got us all one more night. We did have to cram into 1 villa which was fun, like camping, but it was probably the most fun and relaxing of the trip. We went to Balboa for lunch and to lay on the beach. It was a great way to end the trip!! Thanks mom and dad!

Kylie's Dance Recital

Kylie took a break from gymnastics this year to try dance. She liked it, but told me she was ready to go back to gymnastics. She just had her recital and she was so cute and did such a good job! She was so excited to get flowers after the recital. I'm glad she was willing to try new things and learn what she likes and is good at.

Bon Voyage, Boxxes!

Our good friends, the Boxxes, are moving in a couple weeks so we thought we needed to have a going away BBQ. We had the best time and if it wasn't to say to goodbye, it would have been the perfect night. The weather was perfect in the high 60's and we were all able to eat out in the backyard. Everyone brought camping chairs or blankets and we had a big picnic! The final count was 37. There were hamburgers, hot dogs, homemade rootbeer, brownies and everyone contributed the salads, chips and a cake! It was so delicious!! The kids were able to jump on the trampoline, play on the playground and they even started a little football game. We brought out Dan's basketball hoop game and it was fun to watch the different competitions. It was so great to get a bunch of friends together for a chance to say goodbye to the Boxxes! We are going to miss them!

Dan manned the grill

The spread

Bradley's best friend, Peyton
(He is going to really miss him)

The tiki torches in the background kept the bugs away