I have been so terrible about writing on here lately that the thought of catching up seems impossible. So, I am going to do it in the quickest way possible....with pictures (which actually ended up not being quick because I had to upload all the pictures).

SCUBA LESSONS: Kyle and Ben took scuba lessons from Cloquet Community Education (the closest ones available) during April. This was all prompted by the fact that Kyle will be traveling to Australia in October and spending 10-14 days there. He is not exactly sure if or when he will ever get back there and wants to take the opportunity to scuba the Great Barrier Reef. Although Ben is not joining him in Australia, we thought he might enjoy the lessons as well, and he met the minimum age requirement of 10 (and also the ability to swim 200 yards nonstop....which he did beating everyone but Kyle...including the 20 something male who was in the class with them). However, Ben was really nervous about the scuba equipment though and didn't complete the diving skills portion of the class. He did pass the written test and complete the classroom portion. He also did put the gear on and swim around on the bottom of the pool. He feels more comfortable now, but the class is over. He may someday finish up the diving skills portion. As for Kyle he completed the classroom and diving skills portions. He just needs to complete 4 open water dives this summer and he can head off to Australia scuba certified.

Some pictures from our (unsuccessful) attempts to find open water the weekend before fishing opener. There was open water but not enough to safely go out on the lakes.

 

Special Olympics Athletics Area Meet: Nate is participating in track with the Special Olympics team this year, and really enjoying it! He completed in the 100 meter run, 200 meter run, and softball throw (he is not strong enough to do the shot put). He also participated in a very special unified 4x100 meter relay, special because Ben ran a portion of the relay as a unified athlete (along with another Special Olympian who Ben knows from school and his sister). It was a rainy, cold, foggy, miserable day but Nate was all smiles as he completed each of his events with our family, Grandma and Grandpa Nash, and Grandpa Vanneste cheering him on. HUGE thanks to my parents for toughing it out all day with the miserable weather. Next up is the State Summer Games in Stillwater at the end of June. If I teared up at the opening ceremony of the area games, I can't even imagine what a mess I will be there. At one point in time we were unsure if Nate would even walk!

 Nate in blue waving to the "crowd" during opening ceremonies. Ben in red jacket with hood up behind him. 

We did finally manage to get the boat out and fish Memorial Day Weekend. No luck with the fish though.

And I also managed to get my flowers and vegetable garden planted that weekend as well. However, there have been a couple of frosty nights still.