Wrapping up Summer '11 & Back to School

The summer went by fast & we all had to find new ways to stay cool. Julia & Rachel's favorite was the water hose on the trampoline. We finished up swim team, took a quick camping trip to Payson, dropped off Julia for GS camp. Then it was back to school already- 7th grade for Madi, 5th for Julia; Rachel started a new pre-school. In the last 2 months Rachel has left her crib for big-girl bed and potty trained. She is changing so quickly; I wish I could just freeze time. Julia's Grandma Sue took her & Sidney to American Idol Live for her birthday--can't believe Julia is already 10. We visited Tempe Fire Station #3 on 9/11. Just took a trip out to LA to see the Longhorns take on UCLA. It was great to see another McCoy-Shipley combo. We are getting ready for Fall Break & Halloween and hoping that cooler weather comes soon. It was 107 on the first day of fall.

Swim team, Flying Fox Ranch, Telluride for 4th of July, more

I will post more photos later, next week.

May & Early June 2011

These photos are a random mix of happenings in May & so far in June. Visited Luke AFB & got to shoot weapons; the noise is deafening in an indoor firing range. My parents visited during the last-day-of-school party & weekend. We had great weather & enjoyed time with our neighbors and at the Childrens Museum of AZ where Rachel did some painting. The first Lakes Snakes Swim Meet was this weekend. Both girls won 1st place in backstroke; Madi took a 1st in freestyle and a 2nd in breaststroke; Julia got 3rd in the rest of her events. Only in the Lakes do swimmers have to compete with ducks in the swim lane who won't move!

Rachel's 2nd Birthday