Summer Fun

It's been about a year since I updated the blog, this is Lindsey writing, and I got to spend a couple of weeks in Indiana while Ashley went to girls camp, then we went to Nauvoo, and then I got to bring them all back to Utah with me. I can't believe how much the kids have changed since I saw them at Christmas. Lantz is like a different kid, he is hilarious, Makelle is very cute and very stubborn, but still a "tiny big girl", and Zak is now way (instead of only a little) smarter than me. I had a great time playing with them and am so sad that our time is already over. I told Ashley that I would blog about my/our trip since I have all of the pictures, so here it is!

Definitely three of the silliest kids ever!

The day after I got to Indiana, there was a hot air balloon race and glow. It was pretty cool although we never actually saw a balloon get in the air, and the kids were nervous that the balloons were going to fall on them (mostly Zak and Makelle). They were much happier watching from the car.

We had tons of fun playing together. Being an aunt is the best, especially when you are in the same state as your niece and nephews! One of our favorite things to do together is to build things with couch cushions. We built an obstacle course, although I'm not sure Ashley was thrilled when the kids told her we put all of the cushions and pillows on the floor and jumped on them! We also built a cushion hammock and a jeep for a safari.

We built a great wolf den. It came with two rooms and a trick door in case something tried to come in and eat us. Makelle is the one person demolition crew!

When Lantz did this...

...we did this!We also like to play dress ups. Zak likes layers, while Makelle likes to wear tutu's on her head!

Makelle being a bug. John also looked cute in them, unfortunately we didn't get a picture!

Since I didn't get any pictures at swimming lessons, the kids were showing me how they float on the water.

Zak did amazing at swimming lessons, he could swim across the pool with no help from anyone and can float like you wouldn't believe. He also learned how to dive, from his feet and his knee, and can go down the giant slide by himself and then swim to the other side of the pool to the ladder. He is an amazing kid!

Makelle also did pretty well during the lessons, and would negotiate her way around doing anything she didn't want to do. I heard the words "I have a good idea, how about we do ______ (insert almost anything besides swimming) instead then have a break" quite a few times. She was getting the hang of her arm strokes as long as someone was holding her. After swimming lessons were over however, she decided that she could swim on her own and you can imagine John's surprise when she put her head under the water and really swam using the things she had learned from her teachers. When Ashley came home from camp Makelle told her that she could swim all by herself, but Ashley didn't believe it till she saw it herself!

The kids had a great time playing on the Slip 'n Slide. Lantz didn't care that he wasn't wearing a swimming suit, he loved it!

The kiddos each have a chart with things to do before bed. They read scriptures, say prayers, brush teeth, and etc. They have 15 minutes to complete their charts and if they do, the first person done gets to choose an activity to do before they have to go to sleep. Tag and Hide and Seek were favorites. I think that John and I were the most excited to play (though I think Ashley secretly loved it too), and we tried our hardest to think of great places to hide. One particular time, John decided to hide on the wall between the kitchen and living room. So he climbed on top of the fridge and laid on the wall. Makelle was counting and as soon as she got done she looked up and said "Dad, what are you doing up there?!". He was the first one found after all of that effort, then he couldn't get down and we had to get the ladder to rescue him!

I always have so much fun when I get to spend time with my brother and his family, hopefully it won't be too long before I get to see them again.

1 Year Anniversary

Last month we celebrated one year since we bought our house! Oh, how are lives have changed in just one short year! John and I were saying how hard it is going to be to leave in just three years. When we moved here we left tons of family who we love but who we will see again and again. When we leave Indiana we leave lots of friends that we love as family, but that we will probably never see again. Before coming here we didn't need friends because we had family, family, and more family. It is a whole different experience to rely wholly on our friends. They are the greatest and they have helped to make this one of the greatest years for the Gerhauser family.

Life for us is absolutely wonderful these days. John started summer school but he his home lots so we can't complain. We love having him home and we are taking full advantage. Sophomore year of dental school is supposed to be miserable so we are enjoying this time of having him to ourselves.

This is what we do these days, the zoo, the science museum, the pool, the lake and beach, play dates, the slip n slide, the park and then we just do it all over again. WE LOVE SUMMER!!!! But we are always out and about and I keep my camera away from sand and water, so not many pictures. For the past month we had rain, then we had super hot humid days, then warm days, then rain. It is true what they say here. If you don't like the weather just wait a few minutes!!

Our garden this year is doing great, especially when you consider we couldn't grow anything last year. John has done a great job and the kids love picking the peas to eat each day! We are sad to leave it during our vacation but hopefully there will still be something to enjoy when we get back!

We were excited to see some of my family last week. We didn't get to see them for long but it was still good to see them. It is crazy how kids change in one year. My kids were so excited to see there cousins and they played as if they had just played together yesterday.

Zak-Wasn't sure if he could remember how to swim but he does!!! He is hardly afraid this year and he swims so good. He is very good at addition and he is counting down the days for Utah and then for Kindergarten.

Makelle-Swims very good with her life jacket on and can put her head all under the water and walk around. She is very proud!!

Lantz-Is a stinker!!! He keeps me going. Without fail he will finish his meal then get down from the table and go to the cereal cupboard! GRRRRRR!! It drives me crazy. He is fascinated with shoes, the outside, and waving to everyone. He doesn't talk much but he managed to say Grandpa this week!


John-school, sleep, gym, garden, and meetings! Same old same old!

Ashley-is getting ready for girls camp in next week! Yeah to Lindsey for coming to watch my kids! They won't even know I am gone! I also registered for classes to take online from Utah State. I will be able to finish my bachelors all online so I am super excited about that (minus the fact that I will probably have to take a ton of math classes again, grrrr). It won't be quick but at least I will be working on it. Thanks to a great friend for encouraging me!!!