Summer Happenings

4th of July found us at Cole Park this year.  Well, what's left of Cole Park.  They are renovating it and we are way excited about the new play equipment and floor they are putting in. 
Notice the Princess' expression:  HELP ME!!  :)

Kaylee's 4th of July do.  Wish I was creative enough to come up with this myself, but I'm not.  Stole it from a friend on facebook.  Turned out way cute!

The weather was perfect that night and after mommy getting over the fact that our city somehow thinks a fireworks show is a fireworks show without music, we had a great time.

The next weekend found us at the temple while these cute kids played with my cute friend Sarah at the park.

What a brave woman in the 100 degree heat.  Love her and love that she loves my kids!

Insert funny caption here.

My handsome hunk of a husband and me at my most favorite place on earth.

More Aaron singing videos...the first one is the "Fathers" song from the children's songbook...he's singing the chorus.  The second is for mom...a local favorite at the library storytimes here.  I play these videos often to remind myself that terror child really can be a little angel.  :)

I find this next clip hilarious.  I was out in the yard with the kids enjoying the shade and the water yesterday afternoon.  While reading my book my attention was distracted by this little girl and her incredibly active and creative imagination.  Influences for this piece of creative play come from 2 current movie favorites:  The Princess and the Frog, and  The King and I.  I love how she brings Aaron in on the act.  This really is priceless and something I'm so glad I caught.

Isn't she a beauty?!  I love her!

P.S.  The recipe is a new one that schweets found recently - key lime pie - I know, you're thinking with Ritz crackers?!  Trust me, TO DIE FOR!

www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2011/07/10-minute-lime-cracker-pie-recipe.html

 

Everyone needs a good laugh now and then...

Fun Birthday Weekend

This past week we got to celebrate the little man turning 3.  His birthday was Thursday so we gave him his family presents after he woke up from his nap.

He was really excited about his new basketball and hoop from G&G Wadley...thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

We went to the mall that night for dinner and some fun kids activities they had going on.

Free train ride!  It normally costs 5 BUCKS a PERSON, so, yeah, we've never gone on it before, but we were all over it Thursday night.  :)

We had a few of Aaron's friends over on Friday night for a BBQ in the backyard to continue the celebration. 

I love this picture.

and this video.  :)

Aaron fills our house with energy and love and more energy.  :)  He is a lover and I love him!  Happy Birthday Aaron!

Time for Pigtails!

Presenting...

The Biggest Tree In Texas!!

They are not sitting on The Biggest Tree In Texas.  It was all fenced off.  But this is a pretty cool one right by The Biggest Tree In Texas.

Just hangin' on a tree next to The Biggest Tree In Texas.

The requisite family shot in front of The Biggest Tree In Texas.  Little man in front is none too happy about all the picture taking.  Best line of the day came from his sister upon seeing The Biggest Tree In Texas for the first time (cue pre-teen nonchalance coolness):  "Well, it's not that big."

She sure was a good sport for the picture taking though.  Always gotta be holding up her treasure for the camera, that one.  In this case it was a fake Oreo (Walmart brand, thank you very much Schweets :)

Do you love the diaper bag taking center stage in the photo?!  Obviously, I need some tutelage from my good friend Tiff, whose amazing work you can view here.

We had a fun little outing to Goose Island State Park on Memorial Day weekend, where, in case you haven't figured out yet, the Biggest Tree In Texas is located.  Always fun to get away with the fam for a little FFF.  (Forced Family Fun).  Dad always used to call it that as we grew up and started rolling our eyes at family outings.  We really loved it though. 

I love my family (immediate and extended) and all of the cool things I have been able to see throughout my life because of my dad's and husband's professions.  Dad was in the Air Force and I grew up getting to see so many amazing sites in Europe.  Salzburg and Garmisch are two that really stand out as incredibly beautiful places that I want to take my own family to someday.  I have been lucky enough to go on an incredible journey (wink, wink, schweets :) with my husband as he has pursued his career and have really gained a love for the southern part of this country.  OK, there are parts of it I can't stand (can you say Arizona cactus), but there are so many more parts I love.  Each new place has its own character and feel.  The people in each place are unique.  I love the spanish moss hanging from the huge, old, beautiful oak trees in Baton Rouge.  I love that the people there think they are in God's chosen country and anything west of Nachitotches is not.  (No, I'm being serious.  They really do, and I really love that!  Totally cracks me up!)  I love the warm hospitality we experienced in Arizona.  I love how the Relief Society Presidency was on our doorstep with a treat in hand before we had even been in the apartment 2 hours.  I love the food in Texas.  Oh, how I love the food.  I love that my Texas friends cook up BBQ for birthday parties, Easter, Thanksgiving, Valentines Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, and pretty much any other celebration that requires food.  I love that I have lived in my home in Texas longer than any home in my whole life.  (6 years!)  I love the HUMIDITY!!  (Can't believe I just typed that, but there it is!)

Most of all, I just love being with my family and experiencing it all with them.  They are the best.