Lately...

Cue the jazz hands and Grease music 'cause Summer Lovin' is in full swing around here (Carter and Emme with their very best buds Hudson, Claire, and Jaden)...

We've had plenty of Chik-Fil-A outings (where baby dolls are free to come along)...

And shades are mandatory...

I made my way to Austin for a "Big Girls" weekend to celebrate the birthday of this dear friend...

It was fun...

Really fun...

The sunshine is a welcome addition to any outdoor activity.  The girls took in a sand volleyball match and cheered their little hearts out for their adored Aunt Kim...

I could post a pic of her looking amazing in her bikini but she would kill me...so moving on...we also soaked up some sun at Sea World...

Where Emme had the chance to get up close and personal with the love of her life...

She was completely mesmerized...

So far our summer is delivering plenty of smiles, sunshine, singing and dancing...we could totally give Grease a run for it's money.  Happy Monday!

See Jane Read

Every once and a while your kids do something that knocks your socks off.  Lately my have been flying because Carter has just gone nuts when it comes to reading.  I always feel the need to say this is in no way something I have helped her accomplish...to be honest I'm not exactly sure how she got so darn good at it.  All I know is listening to her now confidently read chapter after chapter of the American Girl books is in a word amazing!




I love that she LOVES reading.  It reminds me of a certain someone who will remain nameless that invited her best friend in the fourth grade to sleepover and then suggested they go to bed early and read.  Way to go Carter-Roo we are so very proud of you!  




The more you read, the more things you will know.  The more you learn, the more places you'll go. ~Dr. Seuss

Movie Night

Tonight we had movie night just the two of us (and I don't mean Nate and I).  I got to spend the evening with my favorite five year old and had the opportunity to introduce her to one of my favorite movies (an oldie but goodie)...

I knew the singing and dancing would be right up her alley.  She was also pretty fond of the popcorn and sour patch kids.  I can't think of many was I would rather spend my Friday night than with her (even if she did fall asleep before the movie was over).


As I scooped her up and carried her to bed (stopping along the way to rescue "Lamb" who had been accidentally forgotten and lay haphazardly on the bathroom rug) I was just overwhelmed by how much I love her.  Lately I feel like there are moments when my girls are driving me a little nuts.  We've definitely hit the "quit touching me" stage.  Or, in Emme's case, the "screaming at the top of my lungs because me sister took the toy I was playing with" stage.  Nice though how a Friday night movie can put things back into perspective.  It reminds me that sharing things with them (popcorn, candy and a piece of my childhood) is sometimes just what the doctor ordered.

Emme + Elmo = Love

Elmo is a bit of a mystery to me.  What is it about that furry little monster that captivates tiny people?  I don't know what his secret it but I do know my little Emerson is smitten with "Eh-Mo"...

Luckily her big sister has outgrown the little guy and is happy to share her very life like toy with Emme...

 I don't ever get tired of hearing her little voice say "Elmo", there is a very emphatic "O" at the end...

Elmo also gets lots of kisses...

But that's not all...this guy also has some sweet dance moves...

Which brings out the other dancer in our family...

And if all of this is not solid proof of Emme's love for the squeaky little Muppet just hang in there until the end of this video...



Ahhhhhh....young love.  It doesn't get much sweeter!

You're a Grand Old Flag

Fourth of July morning we all put on our red, white and blue.  Strategically placed streamers, pom pom's and glittery headbands were in place as we loaded up and headed out to the historic district... 

For my parents first "Temple" Fourth of July...

Having my entire family put on their happy faces so early in the morning says a lot.  I realize that they do it for these two little people who of course mean the world to me...

But on days like this I'm reminded of how much they mean to all of us...

We arrived as everyone was jockeying for their positions...trying to figure out where to stand...it was a little crowded...slightly dis-organized...hot...sticky...and for just a moment I really wasn't feeling this whole parade thing...

But then a little breeze blew and things started rolling along...

And it was fun...

Just like we had imagined it would be...

There were plenty of things to "snap" (most of the beautiful pictures on this post are courtesy of my sweet sis Jenny...click here to visit her site she is so talented)...

 We were surrounded by sweet old friends...

And some good looking new ones which made the day a lot more fun...

We marched and waved and then we sang...

We totally did.  We sang "You're a Grand Old Flag" at the top of our lungs at least five times and people dug it.  They laughed, they waved, I think a few even cheered...and I had the best time with my best friend...

As we neared the end of the parade route we passed Nate and my dad (who acted a little embarrassed, but I know he was secretly loving it)...

Emme was happy to be re-united with her favorite guy...

It was the perfect "First" Fourth of July...

The parade may have been over but the fun wasn't...

Emme opted for a sno-cone...

Carter went the cotton candy/cookie route...

Sweets to celebrate the birthday of our home sweet home...

Her flag hung proudly...

As people chatted about small town things...

Like football...

And the weather...

I would be lying if I said we would have marched...sang...or maybe even showed up if it hadn't been for these two...

But I'm so glad we did...

It was one of those mornings that I'll remember as being really happy...

And a little sweaty...

But mostly just happy...

I love America (really I do) but there's something I love more...these people right here...

The End.