Death by Sparkler

Picking up where my last Fourth of July post left off...we were enjoying a fabulous day in the backyard, after Carter spent some time in the sprinkler she opened up her own beauty shop. Leslie was the perfect customer...

Beauty parlor to chef in no time flat...Roxi, Carter and Leslie making the crust for our homemade blackberry cobbler (can you say YUM)...

We cooked out, ate a delicious dinner, and then the waiting began. Unfortunately when you live in the great Northwest it doesn't get dark until about 10 o'clock at night...that's a looooooong time for a little girl who is three to have to be patient for fireworks...

Luckily we had some sparklers to keep us occupied...

The guy promised me they were "kid friendly" but at times they were a little more like torch shooting flame throwers! You can't hear her very well in this video, but at some point Carter asks me, "Mom, are you going to die?" Death by sparkler, that might be a new one...

I think Roxi and Carter were secretly having a contest to see who could have more fun...

Pops didn't want to be left out and got in on the action too...

Ahhh, the joys of being three...

We were two very lucky girls to be surrounded by so much love...

I was also so glad that a couple of my friends were able to spend the evening with us too, it just made it that much more special! Thanks so much for hanging out with us Whitney (and Kylie not pictured) and Lara...

Finally, after waiting and waiting and waiting...the FIREWORKS finally began!



And I was sweetly serenaded by my favorite little voice singing Happy Birthday to America over and over again...my heart melts...



It was a wonderful show...the perfect night really, well, almost. I was missing my best friend, if you had been there Nate it would have been complete. Oh, and who knew, but it looks like the Fourth brings out Pops' inner princess...



I love seeing this side of my dad. He sometimes surprises me, and it didn't stop with the crown. The next day after grabbing dinner (and a couple of photos of Carter with some of her favorite people) first Roxi and Pops...



Then Laynce and Leslie...

My dad (and I think Roxi had a little something to do with it) decided we should make a stop at the local carnival. Carter couldn't have been happier. First up a ride on the ferris wheel...

Are my parents cute or what??

Roxi isn't too sure about heights, but apparently doesn't have a problem with spinning so she and Carter headed for the "Dragons Belly"...

Next I took her for a turn on the Wacky Worm aka Kiddie Coaster...she has become quite the lover of rides and was having such a great time! Please note both her arms (which are both raised)...

All smiles (just remember that later)...

Future pilots have to start their training somewhere...this little girl wants to fly just like her daddy...

A quick salute and we're off...

I'll be her co-pilot any day...

Our last stop was a ride on the super slide...

I had tried to prepare my munchkin that all good things must come to an end, but unfortunately when you're three that's a hard lesson to learn...

Remember earlier when I said to "remember her smile for later"? Well, that's because of this...

What a sad photo to end our post! But, on a happier note, this was one heck of a Fourth of July. It meant the world to me to have friends and family to share our weekend with, it definitely helped soften the sting of Nate's absence for yet another holiday. I realized we've spent this one apart for the past three years. Next year babe...fireworks and a kiss will be ours!!

You Put the Lime in the Coconut~11 Weeks

Well, baby is at a whopping 11 weeks today. Apparently looking a lot like a lime, and to continue with the illustration, a lime inside a coconut is actually what I picture...
I've been feeling better off and on throughout the last week and actually thought maybe, just maybe I was done being sick...but then last night I was proven wrong so DARN I guess it's not quite over yet, but maybe close!! In other baby news, Carter is now convinced she is having a baby brother. Apparently her wishes for a sister have diminished as she has come to the realization that it would mean having TWO girls in our family, and she seems to think one (being her) is enough. This could be interesting. Regardless I know she is going to be a fabulous big sister. This week we'll be lovin' our little lime!

Monday Carter Edition #34~What a Poser

We've had Fourth of July fun galore around here! I don't have time to do it justice because everyone is headed back to TX today, but I'll get around to it soon. Monday Carter is still catching a little beauty rest as I type so she's not quite ready to start her day yet. I'm only up because I was pulled out of my peaceful sleep by the sound of the garbage truck quickly approaching. Not a good feeling when you forgot to put your trash out and you've had a Fourth of July bash over the weekend!! Needless to say they now know what I look like in my Pajamas. Perfect. Anyway, I know today will be a fun little Monday. Carter is spending the day with friends and I am headed to Seattle to show off a few sites and deliver our guests to the airport. I can't wait to post on all our fun, but just thought I would leave you with these for now. I'm not sure where Carter picked up these poses, but I think it's safe to say she didn't get these from her mom...

The weather was warm and it made the afternoon perfect for spending a little time with the sprinkler...

More on Fourth of July soon, we're off to Seattle!

I Scream for Summer!

This week has definitely felt like summer! Carter had her first Vacation Bible School experience and she loved it! She was so excited the few days prior and the morning of she woke up and the first thing out of her mouth was, "I get to go to VBS today!" Here she is the first day...

And apparently VBS brings out your inner star because later that afternoon she got on some "Sassy Shoes" and went to town, I love these performances!

The weather is just plain Fabulous and we've been making the most of it, going for a walk almost every evening. On one such occasion she insisted on wearing this Bee ensemble...

And I figure what the heck, who am I to tell her she can't BEE who she wants to BEE?! And, as far as I'm concerned she has the cutest little BEE-hind in all the land...

With all the activity she is one tired little lady at the end of the day...I couldn't resist sneaking this picture...

Last day of VBS, I think she is already looking forward to next year!

And a little ice cream celebration to top off the day, decisions, decisions....

I scream, you scream, we all scream for SUMMER! We're so glad you're here!!

Why Lieutenant Dan...

You know how Forrest Gump is on TBS or TNT at least once a week?? Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating but I feel like it is one of those movies that is always coming on TV, and guess what? Every time it's on my husband watches it...for him it just never gets old. So, how fitting that he just happened to run into Lieutenant Dan....

Why Lieutenant Dan I must say you are looking a little better than you did back in your shrimping days...

And, speaking of looking good, it may just be the whole "Absence makes the heart grow fonder" thing...but I do believe my husband is looking fine and I do mean FINE!! Five weeks...seriously, patience is not my cup of tea. But, blogging is, and today is Pay Day so head on over to Scoop, and check out what I've been up to and enter to win the latest Give-A-Way!!