Summer has arrived!

Summer is officially here. We made it to the lake for the weekend. The ice cleared the day before we arrived so Nathan and Cole decided that it was swimming season. Nathan told Cole that he'd jump in if Cole jumped in so that's exactly what Cole did. The two videos below are of Cole and Nathan jumping into the icy cold water. This is Cole's very first jump into the lake when the water has been this chilly. He's prepping for the polar bear club and is nearing the day when he can join Nathan and his friends when they take a sauna and then jump into the water through a hole that they cut into the ice. Nathan claims it's one of the most exhilarating experiences ever...Jeni's not convinced; however, she's never actually given it a try:)

The pictures below include some pics from the lake, some from one of Kaydra's bball games, and some of Claire playing outside with her Barbies.

Cole and Nathan psyche themselves up for their first jump off the dock

Cole's the first one in the water this year

Cole warms up after getting out of the "barely warmer than ice" water. He said, "I'm never doing that again!!!"

But after a couple minutes, Cole had a change of heart. Here, he poses with Nathan only a few moments after their quick swims. This might just be an annual tradition for Cole. He felt great and the cool air temp didn't feel so cold after spending a second or two in the freezing lake.

Claire warms up in her towel. She's excited to swim this summer, but the water was a bit too cold for her this weekend. She dipped her toes in, but didn't go any further. She said she hopes that the conditions are more favorable for swimming next weekend (I guess she didn't say those exact words, but that was the message she conveyed to us.)

Sitting around the campfire

Enjoying the peaceful evening and comfort of the fire

Jeni and Tiffany pause for a quick cousins pose

Janelle, Jocie, Cole, and Jayden take a break to play a game inside

Getting ready to put the dock into the water

Claire swings in style

A beautiful rainbow graced our presence

Cole blows bubbles and watches them bounce across the water

A few basketball pics from one of Kaydra's games......

Kaydra listens to her coach as she prepares to get back out on the court

Looking for the rebound, but getting boxed out in this one

She's ready for the pass

Claire played outside on the swingset with her Barbies after her daycare friends left for the day. They had fun on the swings, on the slide, and in the sandbox.