Summer Fun List

So I'm going to start creating lists for things that I want to do. Either with the kids, my friends and family, or myself. You know how you always say, "Oh, I want to do that sometime!" Well, instead of continuing to say this little phrase, I'm going to start documenting my "ideas" to keep a record of everything I want to see and do. If it's one thing that I've realized since becoming a mom, it's that time flies by all too fast. You only have a short moment in time to make memories with your children, so I'm going to begin this little experiment. So. Here goes my first list. (I'm sure an over-achiever, I've already checked a few things off!)

1. Go on vacation.
2. Do at least one triathlon (sprint to start).
3. Do a century ride. In one day. That's 100 miles.
4. Take weekly trips to the pool.
5. Have a family and friend cookout.
6. Get a sno cone.
7. Go to the Indiana State Fair.
8. Go on a ride with Drewbie for the 1st time at the fair.
9. Go on a picnic at Fort Benjamin Harrison.
10. Have a summer date night with the hubs. Complete with wine and a evening stroll. Anywhere.
11. Go to the Fishers Fire Station.
12. Go to an outdoor concert at White River.
13. Take a walk along the canal.
14. Go to Nashville, TN with Malnar.

Pirate Adventures at OBX

For the second year in a row, Emma went aboard the Sea Gyspy to experience the Outer Banks Pirate Excursion. This is a pretty cool adventure for little kids to take. They get a chance let their imagination run wild by coming aboard a real "pirate ship," reading a treasure map to find the sunken treasure, shoot water cannons at some real life "pirates," and ending their experience by getting "drunk" off the Pirate's Grog.

Enchanting Emma, with her pirate's vest on, getting her face painted.

Because Brennan was "too old" for it, Drewbie got to partake in this year's excursion! 

Studying the map to locate where the hidden treasure is. 

She's bound and determined to find it before any of the other kids do!

And just a few pictures from last year's adventure.  It's so fun for me to look back at the changes in my children from year to year.

Since Drewbie didn't go last year, here's this year's for comparision.  Selfishly, this one's for myself.  I'm about 40+ lbs lighter this year, and I think you can see it in my face in these two pictures. 

Colonial Williamsburg

On the way out to the Outer Banks, we stopped at Colonial Williamsburg to take a walking tour of the historical landmark. As Andy so appropriately put it, this place was like Conner Prairie on steroids!
It was neat to take a step back in history, exploring the homes and buildings where men like Thomas Jefferson and George Washington inspired the fight for independence.
 

OBX Vacation 2011

We had another wonderful family vacation at beautiful Outer Banks last week. We love the family-orientated feel that OBX offers, so we've made this vacation an annual getaway for the Swickheimers. This year though, my mom made the trip out with us which was great! And aside from the few moments were she was "Swickheimered-Out", I think she really enjoyed herself.

All loaded up, ready to hit the road!

Taking a little snooze on the 13+ hours it takes to get there.

Here she is, our home for the week: "Just Chillin'"

From our house, we pass by a small pond on our way to the beach. There were dozens of turtles that would come up out of the water and actually take food from your hands.  The kids (and Uncle Pat) thought this was the coolest thing!)

Our first evening stroll on the beach.

On our first night's visit to the ocean, we saw this dead stingray that had washed up on the shore.  I've always had a love/fascination for sting rays so I thought this was pretty cool!

And Pat has a fascination/love for crabs (well, any animal really), so he was determined to catch one again this year.  Although it's tiny, he caught one!

Not to be outdone by her Uncle Pat, Emma had to catch a critter.  So she caught some small jellyfish.  There were dozens of these tiny (dead) ones washed ashore.  Which she named Bitty. 

My little man, carrying his shovel, on the way to the beach. 

Here's her annual shot of being "buried" in the sand. 

Drew had no interest in the ocean.  The unpredictable waves still scare him a bit, so he played it safe in the sand.  Getting it EVERYWHERE.

We had a chance to fly some kites one windy afternoon, as a small storm blew overhead.

There it is, up in the sky!

Ahhh, this is the life...

And some of my favorites shots of my babies: 

Cousins!  Emma and Brennan had a fun time together, playing (and competing against) each other.

Pool time!

Andy & I were able to have one night together, where we went out to a nice dinner at the Fin and Claw restaurant.  He enjoyed a local beer from the Outer Banks Brewing Company.  Next year, we'll have to get a case of this wheat ale....it was so good!

From the Swickheimers, with love.  Good bye, Outer Banks.  Until next time...