This weekend, as we have done the past two years and is becoming a Memorial Day tradition, Aaron's family came in and all gathered at our house to eat, visit, and swim. It really is a lot of fun. I am so blessed in the in-law department and am thankful that my children have so many aunts and uncles (on both sides really) that they can look to as Christian examples and awesome people. And let's not forget about the cousins!! I grew up with a few cousins, but all of them much younger than me. I was the first grandchild and in many ways I was on my own when it came to the "kids at the holiday get togethers" for a long time. Not so for my kids. They are so lucky. When Aaron's family gathers, there are nine grandchildren already, with one due in September and I'm sure more to follow. They play, and they fight, and they build forts, and they play family, and the fight, and they tattle, and they sneak cookies and Mountain Dew, and they plot, and they fight, and they fall asleep in a big adorable pile in front of a late-night movie. It is worth all the hassle of housing nine kids ages 9 and under. Seriously. It actually is.
So in honor of all our fun times this weekend and because I like taking pictures with my camera on the "sports" setting, I have decided to wow you with a montage of amazing diving board tricks, dives, and feats. Prepare yourself to look at cute kids doing such breathtaking things as - a belly flop, a can opener, and the most daunting of all.......a cannon ball. Do not worry. There are no photos of me in a swimsuit posted on here because frankly - this is just not that kind of website. Plus I would really like it if I did NOT, in fact, horrify you to the point of therapy. You are welcome. Enjoy.

The cannonball

Freestylin'

Super G trying to learn how to dive but looking a bit more like a Superman/toadfrog mid leap

Who doesn't like jumping through a ring?

Can opener that splashed all the pretty ladies trying to lay out and dry off

Again, who doesn't like jumping through a ring? Me that's who. We decided that since we were such a mature group, we would take turns diving into this tiny child's ring so see if we would pass through. Well, as seen here, Kara made it. Brother-in-law Trent made it. Even big ol' Aaron made it. Know who didn't make it? My girls. Yep, stuck right there under my armpits at the top of my swimsuit. Awesome. Just awesome. (and by awesome I mean terrible, but I'm pretty sure you are smart enough to catch my cleavage sarcasm)
There was one more really funny diving board picture, but I promised all my sister-in-laws that I would not put any unflattering pictures on here. So Lori, because I love you, I didn't put the awesome photo of you holding your nose and squealing. You're welcome. To the rest of you - sorry you have to miss it.
Hope all of you had just as great a weekend and have just as great of families as we do. If not, we have plenty and I'm sure there are a couple of folks around here we would be glad to let you borrow. Just let me know and we will take a family vote to see who is out.
Hope it's not me,
Cassie