Final Summer Activities

Camp Winshape

Winshape camp is always one of the kids' favorites and this year Catie joined Jackson for a week of fun. We are fortunate to live only a few minutes from the host for this year's camp.

Catie chose to participate in music, cheerleading, and painting. Initially she threw an epic fit because she did not want to do cheerleading, but after the first day it was her favorite! 

Jax chose basketball, secret ops and photography. We never did see any pictures, so not sure how photography went... kind of a mystery. He was also able to spend some time with his buddy Carter from his old school Midvale.

Big Bro and Little Sister showing their spirit on the last day of camp.

Catie spent the last week of summer at horse camp. If you have not figured out that Catie loves animals by now, then you have no idea how excited she was for this week! 

She was issued her own horse for the week! Her horse's name was Odessa and they became great friends.

She spent the week learning how to care for her horse "Odessa". She learned how to put on the saddle, feed and clean her.

 

By the middle of the week, she was riding Odessa by herself. She learned how to stop Odessa and turn her in both directions. No jumping was taught at this session... maybe next year.

Of course, Catie became fast friends with Sammie the local puppy. "Catie and Sammie will be BFF's forever," said Catie.

Jackson went to the Emory basketball camp run by the head coach. Coach Z was not only bald as the kids like to point out, but was a great role model for the kids with endless energy.

Jackson always shows a fondness for basketball, but never wants to practice in our driveway hoop. We have not figured this one out yet.

Jackson's team made it to the championship game, but came up a few points short in a tight battle. He was very upset by the loss because he really wanted to take home the title. Maybe next year...

Another winning outfit. Notice the boots.

Abby got the short end of the stick... again! She spent the week at Oak Grove, just like it was the regular school year. Her time will come!

The kids love spending the night in hotels, so we decided to spend two days up at Lake Lanier Pine Isle Resort to finish off a great summer.

The Ferris Wheel was a big hit and had some amazing views

The resort has all kinds of activities, such as an awesome water park, beach, pools, boardwalk and even zip lines! The tube rides and the wave pool were big hits with the kiddos.

What would a resort be with a fake trolley car?

We even got into the action with a midnight zip line course that is set up in the park.

Chattanooga Trip

While Jax and Catie were away, we took our "only" child Abby up to Chattanooga to spend some time seeing the sites and participating in the big Waterfront Triathlon. Abby was so excited to "go on a twip" alone without her siblings.

The trip started with an early morning wake-up for the Olympic distance triathlon. We took care of Abster by having a babysitter come over in the morning so she could sleep in! 

Once again, Stiv made the local news but no one will ever recognize him. There he is in the picture above, below the green arrow, getting ready to enter the swimming start on the dock.

This race is kind of unique because they have a time trial start, sending swimmers off down the river every 2 seconds. Kind of a nice change and it definitely makes for a fast swim.

It was another hot day in Chattanooga, but the results were much better than last year. It's just too hot and humid to go "super" fast on the run when you're old, so overall it was a good day.

Abby was looking forward to making the trip to Chattanooga without her siblings and told everyone at school that we were going on a trip to Chattanooga! She had a blast cooling off from the heat in the giant waterfall steps outside the aquarium.  

Future supermodel showing off her new bathing suit. Abby is already into fashion and loves to get dressed up in hand picked outfits and "high heel" shoes.

Chattanooga is actually a fantastic little town to visit with children. They have many activities all within a short walking distance from each other. The Children's Museum was a big hit with the Abster. She started off making beautiful paper flowers.

Mom was reading books to all that would listen in the library zone. Nice legs!

Abby decided that she was going to be the guest reader...

While all the reading was going on, Stiv started to feel a little tired from the race and decided to take a little nap in a remote corner of the Children's Museum! Father of the year! 

Our future Doctor was into the pretend medical office. "I am just like mommy!"

Abby participated in the hula hoop contest but needs some work to match some of the other kids incredible skills.

Jax and Catie and America's Dairyland

Jackson and Catie spent two weeks with Grandma and Grandpa Stien up in Eau Clarie the first part of July. The kids always look forward to their summer trip and so do Mom and Dad, probably much more than Grandma and Grandpa!

The Grandparents kept the kids busy each day with tons of activities. One of their favorite trips was to visit Jodi's farm. The kids gave Puffy the cat lots of love and attention during their visit.

Here they are bringing in a few horses for their dinner. They fed them nice fresh oats and hay.

As you all know, Catie loves dogs and it was quiet a coincidence that this canine's name is Abby.

A little horse grooming preparations... looks like Jax got a push from the "boss" horse.

The kids were getting a lesson from the farrier on how to install a horseshoe on one of their horses.  "The horse barely moved during the process!" said Catie.

Our little equestrian... Catie loved riding the horses and is hopeful that we will buy her one of her own back in Atlanta.

Riding is not all fun and games, to own your own horse is a lot of work... much like the care required for our two guinea pigs, except a horse eats and poops a lot more!

 

Catie standing next to her new horse, Wonder. Oh, wait that was a bad dream.

Hercules!

Big Falls is another annual favorite adventure. They loved playing in the mighty rapids and wading in the river with Grandpa.

Where ever Jackson goes, Legos are sure to follow... along with a big mess! What was once Grandma's family room quickly became the Lego room.

Catie getting into the Lego spirit.

 TV and a tub makes for one long bath!

"It's an alien ATV invasion!!" says Jax.

A few days up at the Herbster, WI cabin on Lake Superior is always a treat. They got to see a bunch of wild animals including wild bears that live on the property.  Jax loved riding the 4 wheeler with grandpa up and down the trails.

Always nice to finish a fun filled day at the cabin with a nice hot tub!

Action City was a big hit with video games and the best go carts ever!

Catie or "crash" as they called her...

The kids had a fierce battle over the miniature golf course. It was a great two weeks that the kid did not want to end. As for us, it was the fastest two weeks of our lives, but we were ready to have them back home too.

Action Packed June!!!

Your 2012 Leslie Beach Club Penguins

June is the heart of the Dekalb County Swim season. All three kids were on the team this year with Abby making her debut on the Jr. Penguins.

The 4 year old girls receiving their last instructions before the big 25 yard free race at the mini-meet.

Abby is doing her "matrix" like dive off the starting block. She loves the water and swam the whole 25 yards by herself. All in all a successful first meet and season. Next year when she is on the big kids swim team, we will really put the pressure on her to perform at a top level!

What is my next event? Bring it on!

 
   

Catie had a fantastic year swimming in the girls 7 & 8 year old division and was a top performer. Most importantly, she continued to show a love for the water and was a good teammate by always cheering on her buddies.

 

Catie Coops in action.

A big smile after another successful race.

Jackson liked the social aspect of swimming and the unlimited use of his DS3 during the downtime the best. However, his freestyle and particularly his breaststroke are very good whether he cares or not!

Abby was so excited to get her very first trophy!!!

The season always ends with the big awards banquet on the pool deck the week of the the last meet. Nothing like a trophy and lots of treats!

Surprise! Jax was first in line to wait for his trophy!

The Schwartz kids and their 2012 swimming hardware!

Hmmm, the girls were hanging out by the dessert table while the rest of the team was receiving their awards... so much for sportsmanship. 

Loving the slide!

Catie and Jackson also had tennis camp after swimming every morning and had fun running all over the court. Sorry, no action shots.

Cooling off after is the best part!

 

Not to be out done by the kids, Ann and Steve competed in a few events this month too. Our biggest event was the Macon Rock and Rollman Half Ironman that we completed with several of our friends.

Ann completed the Aqua Bike (1.2 mile swim/56 bike) due to a hip injury that has kept her from running for the past 9 months. Our friend Bill, completed his first long course duathlon (3mile run/56 bike/13.1 run) and took second in Masters.  Steve, Donovan and Glen did the half Ironman. The event was a ton of fun because they were able to see each other many times during the race. 

Donovan, Glen and Steve had blast battling each other for over 5 hours out on the course.  It was an exciting ending with Donovan and Steve actually crossing the finish line in a dead heat, putting them in a tie for 4th in the 40 plus age group.