Look Mom – No Training Wheels!

Kylyn recently learned to ride her bike without training wheels! Yippee! She’s been practicing on the little bike to get the hang of it. With her tall body and long legs she resembles one of those circus monkeys riding a miniature bike, but who’s really looking at that... after all she’s doing it by herself! Way to go Kylyn!

Brielle and Kylyn Gettin' Physical

This was a fun week for the girls! They both started their soccer season and tennis lessons! They play on the "Red Dragons" soccer team with a bunch of other neighborhood girls. Hopefully by their second game Mom and Dad will have figured out the right way to put on their uniforms... apparently the shin guards are supposed to be on the inside of the socks and not the outside! After noticing that our girls looked just a little different then their teammates and getting a gentle reminder email from the coach, we should be able to get it right next time!

BUSTED!

This morning, I knew something was up after Merek went missing for a few minutes and the house was just a just little too quiet... you know that kind of quiet that usually means the kids are up to no good! After a frantic search around the house, Kylyn discovered Merek hiding in the pantry thoroughly enjoying himself in a pile of chocolate chips! Both of his sweaty hands were full of melted chocolate and his teeth were a brown-mess! I let him revel in his glory just long enough to snap a few pics! Of course the girls and the dog had to grab a few too!

How guilty does that mug shot look?!

Road trip to Lazy Jack's Bar

Our family recently took a road trip to Bemidji to visit with Bob's family at Lazy Jack's Bar. The new owners of this laid back - lake town bar, are Bob's cousin Derek and his wife Anna. We had a great time catching up with everyone and introducing the newest additions of each family... Merek and Eli. The two boys rival each other in size and build! At this point, it's hard to tell which of the two is going to have the hardest check in hockey, but someday we'll find out! After all, there couldn't be two more perfect 1-year-old, MN-grown hockey players out there! I'm just sad we didn't get a picture of them side-by-side.

The family throwing back some frosty mugs and appetizers! Everything tastes better deep-fried!

Eli and Cora chillin' with mom, Anna

Kylyn, Cora and Brielle coloring like angels!

Is this considered cheating in Baggo? Merek seems to know exactly how to get a ringer!

Birthday Party in Minot

Kylyn was lucky enough to celebrate her 6th birthday a few days early while visiting Grandma and Grandpa in Minot! The party looked like so much fun... it was complete with a GIANT cupcake, balloons, gifts galore and a good ole' game of pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey! Grandma is known for her fantastic parties!

Day at the Beach

Merek and Mommy have been enjoying some much needed one-on-one time while Kylyn and Brielle are bonding with Daddy in North Dakota!

We've been sleeping in, going on walks with Belle, playing at the park, hitting the T-ball and playing cars and trucks. This morning we were busy building sand castles and diggin' holes at the beach. It was another beautiful summer day here in Minnesota!

Ms. B. Shakin' her Bootie

Brielle loves to dance! Check out some of her signature moves in this video. (She needed a little coaxing from mom to catch it on camera as she usually likes to shake her bootie when no one is looking!)

Brielle meets Napoleon Dynamite

This picture is just too funny not to post! Brielle was trying on Bob's childhood glasses. As you can see she really got into character! I think she could be cast as Napoleon Dynamites little sis' in a sequel. Do you see any resemblance?

Burnin' Up the Track!

Kylyn burned rubber last night at her track meet! She earned three ribbons for her collection, including a second place ribbon for the softball throw, a third place ribbon for the 100m dash and a first place ribbon for the long jump! (She must take after her mom - the reigning North High record holder for the girl's triple jump! ha, ha!)

Kylyn's biggest fans... sister Brielle and her friend Molly!

Independence Day the Schwartz Way

The family enjoyed 10 days up at the lake over the 4th of July! We were able to celebrate our favorite holiday with both sets of grandparents and our very own fireworks show over Lake Six!

Thanks to Grandma "Fireworks Queen" Schwartz, Paca our Dock Engineer and Grandpa Schwartz on Fire Patrol, the show went off without a hitch (well, there was one minor incident where the dock nearly exploded, but we won't mention that)! Boat Captain Makee kept the spectators at a safe viewing distance out on the pontoon, while Kylyn, Brielle and the loons led the "oohs and ahhs"cheering section. Merek missed all the action while visiting dreamy land in the cabin. After a day of swimming, fishing and riding his 4-wheeler, his little body couldn't stay awake another minute. Maybe next year buddy!

The Independence Day celebration would not have been complete without the red, white and blue parade and a star spangled pinata! Next year the girls have plans for real instruments and a marching band. Look out Lyle!

Playing with bubbles

Giggling at the park

On a "Show & Share" Hike

Visiting the "Vergus Loon"