She Did It, She Did It, Yay, Ella Hicimos!!

It's been a long time coming but she did it!

I didn't get any video of what it took to get her to this point. I actually threw her under the water! (or tried- she flailed pretty wildly and mostly landed on her feet) She was crying and fussing and I am pretty certain there were people who were considering turning Scott and I into the authorities. I finally told her I wouldn't force her anymore and she had to decide if she wanted to do it or not and through her tears she said, "Whatever, go ahead and do it!"  So, I dunked her! And dunked her again. And a few more times after that!

And from that, we made our way to the water slide. She desperately wanted to go down that slide alone. She did it! It wasn't pretty, but she did it. (She was a little scared because she turned a little sideways at some point on the way down.) She even went back and did it again! Woot! Woot!

I think we are getting really close to those swimming lessons I've been threatening her with for years.
I've been giving a lot of thought to whether or not she'd make a great swimmer lately. It's an odd thing to think about considering none of my children have ever been really comfortable in the water but after hearing my friend Misty talk about the success one of her older girls in swimming (and never having thought of it before- she is 12) I wondered if it might be right up Cali's alley. If she'd learn to swim of course.

All this brought us to taking a jaunt to the swimming pool over Christmas break. We don't get to the pool as often as we'd like. It's kind of a hassle getting there but once we are there we always have a great time.

Cali didn't take a friend, which was good given the whole torture thing. She really did scream that a time or two. "Why are you torturing me?!?!?!?" and "This is TORTURE!!"

Cori took her boyfriend which went surprisingly well. I think he had fun with the family.

Cassi took her best friend (or one of them) Caleigh. They are a hoot together!
(I have a picture of the two of them too but it keeps loading upside down. As soon as I get it figured out I'll add it.)

It was a good start to the new year. I'm' hoping to get out there again soon. I'll keep you up to date on the lesson thing. I have to make sure she won't accuse anyone of torture first!  :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Here is our annual First Picture of the New Year!

As usual, it was quite funny trying to get the perfect picture. You will see, by the video below that we took one or two good ones and then pandemonium ensued. Big dogs make big chaos!  Wren was in Colorado this year, so for the first time in longer than I can remember, he wasn't going to be in our annual First picture! We were all missing him and the thought of him not being in our picture was a bit too much, SO, we fixed that by printing a picture of him and holding it up.

I don't really believe in making resolutions for the new year however I have thought that I should try harder to update this blog more often. So if I had to say what my New Year's Resolution is, it keeping track of our family life better via this blog.

I do take a daily picture and post it here (I am a bit behind in posting but the pictures have been taken!)
but I miss the stories I used to share. I have to find the time somewhere. Keep you fingers crossed for me, it won't be an easy resolution to keep.

Here is wishing all of you a year filled with Happiness, Joy, Peace, and Goodwill!
Happy 2013!