Kyler and Karlee decided to try something new and participate on a neighborhood swim team (the Fins) this summer. They had a great time! And they got to swim with their cousins - Collin and Samantha - and their good friends, Keaton, Braden, Jaren, and Dallin.
The set up.
The neighborhood pool we swam at the most.
The starting blocks.
Getting ready.
Warming up.
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| Kyler |
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| Our good friend, Keaton. |
Waiting.
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| It was a hot summer here in Augusta. Umbrellas helped a little! |
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| Jana and our good friend, Denise. |
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| Keaton and Kyler :) |
There was an artist among the parents, who would often decorate the kids! The girls loved this! Pretty fun!
A timer. As parents, we helped work the swim meets. I liked being a timer.
Ready to race.
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| Kyler |
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| Samantha |
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| Collin |
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| Karlee |
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| Karlee - making sure she is at the right place at the right time. |
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| Samantha |
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| Kyler |
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| Collin |
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This is probably hard to see, but checkout block 2 and block 5.
Samantha versus Collin - starting swimmers for a mixed relay! :) |
Racing.
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| Samantha |
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| Samantha |
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| Karlee |
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| Kyler |
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| Karlee |
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| Kyler |
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| Collin |
For one of the meets, the coaches asked the kids if there was any particular race that they wanted to be in. Karlee volunteered for an IM. This race involves 4 different strokes and 4 lengths of the pool. Now Karlee was known to cheat at practices - especially when tired - by walking on the bottom of the pool. In a race that disqualifies you. She also, in a hurry by the coaches, got pulled into a race that she was not supposed to swim in, but had to swim 2 lengths of the pool (unknown to her) - and came out crying. With that history I said, "You volunteered for an IM?!?" Karlee said, "Yep!" So I said, "Well ok - but you need to work hard and do your very best. And if you try your very best it does not matter if you get disqualified, unless you touch the bottom of the pool." She just smiled and walked away.
Her race.
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| Karlee getting ready. |
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| Off she goes! |
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| Racing. |
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And done. Did she make it?
Yes she did, and she worked so hard!
I was so proud of her and I think she was too! A great accomplishment! |
Silly boys taking a break and having fun!
I loved how everyone cheered on and supported each other.
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| Samantha |
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| Braden, Collin, Kyler, and Keaton |
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| Karlee getting a high five from her friend. |
Awards morning and party.
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| Samantha |
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| Kyler and Karlee enjoying the breakfast. |
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The coaches threw cans of soda and bottles of Gatorade
into the pool for the kids to get - Crazy, but super fun! |
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Kyler, Keaton, and Collin.
Collin got a stash and was very good at trading! |
After the season was over, Divisionals were held at the Aquatics Center. The kids were very excited and had a great time. They swam maybe 3-4 races each. Karlee's best... 8th overall in the backstroke in her age group, and Kyler's best... 3rd overall in the backstroke.
