Share a Coke

Coke now allows you to personalize your bottles, so I ordered bottles for everyone.  They have a database of names, I presume to protect them from people putting swear words on bottles I had to submit Siew Gin's name for approval, and after a few hours I got approval.

Siew Gin cooked a nice meal, and we broke out the cokes.

Sharing a Coke

A trip to the aquarium

It turns out that Grandma and Grandad have never been to Denver aquarium, so the boys took them round and explained they even have a tiger. We did make a quick stop at REI as well to buy Patrick a new backpack and afterwards we finished with lunch at Chic fil A.

Waking from REI to the aquarium

See, I told you there were tigers

Something fishy?

Enjoying our food

Tyler and Cody get awards at the end of year party

Tyler and Cody attended their end of year swim party and both managed to pick up an award from their swim coach.  Cody got the most courageous award for swimming state long course at 5 years old.  50m is a long way when you are five.

Tyler was also selected to be moved up to Red Group, so he should get faster next season.

Grandma and Grandad were on hand to see the awards and watch the kids have fun in the pool afterward,

Cody getting his award

The happy boys

Tyler getting ready for his acceptance speech

Cody and Tyler take 1st place at State Athletics

The title sounds a lot grander than reality.  They did come first in both of their relay races, but it is totally random who is in each heat.

They both signed up for track and this Saturday was the state meet, so all the kids doing track around the state got to take part in a one day (hot) event.

They did surprisingly well cheered on by Siew Gin and the Grandparents. In track people talk about going on the 'B' of the bang, Cody and Tyler might have gone on the 'n', and most other kids were going before the gun/whistle. If this had been swimming they may have been the only competitors as everyone went early.

Tyler on his relay leg

Cody on the death march

Good Start from Cody

Cody forgets to dip for the line

Tyler at the start

Tyler showing good form

Fort Collins museum and BBQ

We planned a quick trip to Fort Collins to visit the discovery museum, and stayed on to eat BBQ.

They enjoyed the ball drop, serving fast food, the tornado tunnel and shrimp tempura bbq style, but most of all hanging out with Grandma and Grandad.

Hurry up its bright

Just one more go

These fries are big

Who made all this wind

BBQ tempura, our new favorite

FIsh and Chips

Since Tyler has been to England, he takes every opportunity to eat fish and chips, and if you ask him what he wants he always requests it.  With Grandma and Grandad visiting he took them to one of his top 3 fish and chip restaurants to enjoy it with them.

Not as good as English ones, but pretty good

Day At the Bay

It is pretty hard to have a beach vacation in Colorado, so we compromised and the boys chose the bay as an alternative beach day.  Not much sand, but plenty of water fun.  The boys splashed around a lot and Tyler went on the slides, Grandma kept watch and I kept watch on Grandma.

Who is watching the watcher?

Outdoor lunch

We had a quiet day at home, as that evening we had five events stacked back to back.  The boys enjoyed their outdoor lunch with Grandma and Grandad as they go to eat hot dogs and drink Izzie.

Enjoying lunch in the garden

Grandma and Grandad Arrive from England

Grandma and Grandad are visiting us, so we went to the airport to pick them up.  The boys made a sign and were super excited to see them as they were expecting a large quaver delivery.

Saying hello to the arrivals, Siew Gin was taking the picture

Lacrosse and Big Hero 6

We had our second chance in a week to go to the Broncos stadium. We didn't get to see the broncos but we did get to see the Denver Outlaws who are a professional lacrosse team.  They were offering cheap tickets and a movie afterward, so we got to enjoy both.  I am not sure this is a game that I would want to play and the cheerleaders are not as good as the Broncos ones, but the boys enjoyed watching the game and the movie.

The Outlaws in Action

The Millsers watching

Crazy Summer Weather

The weather has been pretty crazy here.  Fairly hot, but also often very stormy. We had a huge downpour here on our way to swim practice.  Seemed very localized as it only seemed bad in our neighborhood.

Local park flooded by excessive water

Tyler and Cody at swim meet

Tyler and Cody were at at swim meet this weekend and as usual, it was good opportunity for me to go try shoot some pictures of their progress.

Both the boys somehow ended up in the same heat which made photo taking a little bit of a challenge.

Anyways, here are some of them:

Cody getting checked in.. look at his worried little face

Tyler getting his game face on.. all serious

Last minute goggles check

Game face on!

Hands in position and ribs for the world to see!!!!

GO!!!! Nice dive from Tyler.. didn't get Cody's belly flop!

Tyler splashing on

Cody doing a lazy one

More crazy splashing

*Slow soothing music*

Though really, he was swimming his heart out!

Outdoor movies at the Broncos Stadium

The boys are a part of the Broncos Bunch club that gets them into some Broncos fan club sorta events. This weekend, it was an outdoor movie experience at the stadium. We got to watch Paddington at what turned out to be a really awesome setting! And we didn't even have to wait till it got dark!!

And the movie ended just in time before the skies poured down with the biggest rain storm!! *phew*

Beautiful night to be on the field

boys enjoying their movie

Reluctant picture with mommy!

glued to the screen!

Sailing with Uncle Halden

My friend Halden has recently got a boat and invited us to go sailing with him. As usual, Tyler was up for it and Cody took a little convincing!

Tyler was quite interested in all aspects of sailing including set up, launching, steering, speedometer reading etc while Cody spent his time worrying about flipping over and getting wet and demanded us to turn around. But eventually he did relax a little and enjoyed the experience. He even learned to read the speedometer!

It was fun to help crew the boat, by releasing jib and changing sides to balance our boats which was quite exciting and chaotic. At some point, our kids being our kids said:

Cody: I'm not feeling very safe!!!
Tyler: Is this yucky water???

I laughed at the fact that i have wimpy kids for quite some time!

Anyways, it was a great relaxing experience until we were about to dock and suddenly, out of nowhere we were in a middle of a storm! The winds were howling and the waves were rocking us like crazy. We had to drop our sails before we got to dock. It was a good thing there was a kind man at the dock that help us stabilize the boat enough to get the kids out and scampered to dry land while i hold the boat with my dear life while Halden went to get the trailer.

We managed to get the boat back on the trailer and helped several other sailors in similar situation. I have to say, it was quite exciting!!! :) We hope to get invited back!

Tyler checking out the set up

Tyler all excited, Cody.. unsure

Boat getting launched

Nearly in!

Hitching trailer back up to car

OK they are ready!

Cody settling in

Tyler itching to steer

Group photo!

Cody and his new super tight lifejacket

Are you sure we're not going to flip??

Tyler finally gets to steer

All geeked out

Cody manning the speedometer

Our good little helmsman

OK, let's play with water..