happy 4th of july

This was our 3rd year to have a July 4th pre-parade party at our house.
We start around 8am with breakfast and mimosas and then head to the parade.

And since the Copelands we re still here they were able to join us too!!!

the girls in their wagon..so cute
madeline wore this face the entire day

sweet sisters

sweet cousins

and we ended our wonderful day at the pool

hope you all had a wonderful 4th!!!!!
and thank you to all the troops!!!!!

weekend with GREAT friends

The Copelands were in town this weekend from Austin. I know I say this ALL the time, but I would give just about anything for them to move closer to us and the Garretts. We just have the BEST time when we all get together.

Sunday night we all got together for dinner at our house.
I did the appetizer and dessert, Christi did pizza and Tiff did salad....so yummy.

We all had a great time, but what makes it even better is for out kids to get to play together.

little robby

harper

the girls in the kitchen

forgot to get a picture of my girl or the husbands...opps:)

more b-day fun

My birthday was so nice this year.
Corey surprised me with a day at the Cresent Hotel Spa.
I spent the day at the pool relaxing and then had an hour and a half spa treatment...I really felt like I was in heaven.
Then....Mom, Dad, Camille and I went to a fun restaurant for dinner.

The next night Camille babysat while Corey and I went to dinner....I know, I know I am very spoiled:)

before dinner

about to blow out my candle

One of the best birthdays I have ever had....
and it's not over yet.....
still have one more b-day dinner this weekend.

I told ya...I LOVE a birthday month!!!!!!

making marshmallows

I am having so much fun taking care of 3 beautifully, sweet girls this summer on top of my two:)
They are here 3 days a week and each day I try to have something fun and creative for them to do in the kitchen...because we all know how much I love to cook!!!

Last week we tackled marshmallows. They were not near as hard as I was anticipating and they turned out really well.

The next day we made smores with them

The girls said they loved them and that's all that matters to me.

Not sure what we are going to get into next week, but I'm sure it will be fun!!!!

birthday week

We have entered my birthday week, and I love a birthday week. I tend to lean more towards a birthday month, but I'll take what I can:)

We headed to mom's to celebrate by the pool.

You think Madeline liked it???

I have never seen a baby so relaxed, she just leaned back and floated.

My mom and dad make everyone's birthday extra special. She made a beautiful dinner and everyone was there...well, some were not, but I understand")

me and my girls

love this family!

birthday week is the BEST!!!!!

our first fall

I'll start by posting these very sweet pictures of my very sweet little girl.....

pretty sure she is giving me the stink eye here

So...last week we were at the mall playing on the indoor soft play area....let me emphasize the word "soft" here. Madeline tumbled off a seating area that, I swear, could not have been more that 6 inches off the ground....but... some how she managed to twist her little ankle on her way down from that huge fall.
After I clapped in hopes that she would rebound without any tears from her fall, I realized that she was really hurt. So I scooped her up and we ended up at the emergency room. I will apologize now for the lack of pictures, but all I had was my phone and I still haven't figured out how to get those to my computer:)
After 2 sets of x-rays and 5 hours we left with no more info than we came in with...so frustrating.
The following Monday we headed to our pediatrician and were told to go to an Orthopedist. There, we were told there was no significant injury and that it was just probably sprained.
So.....my little angle now has a tiny little splint on her left leg. She is doing so well with and with out it, but she is hesitant when it is not on so we tend to just let her wear it.
Again, I haven't taken any pictures of the leg, but..here are a few just because she is so darn cute:)

you can kinda see it in this picture

waiting in the dr.'s office

I am so grateful that she is on the mend and that it wasn't anything worse.

how does your garden grow

This is our second year growing hydrangeas, my most favorite flower.
We had more last year, but these three were truly breathtaking.

Not only are we in the flower growing business....we are also growing......
rosemary, basil, dill, strawberries, and 6 different types of tomatoes!!!!
We have harvested at least 30 so far...and there are still plenty more.
We are loving using them in all kinds of recipes, but we are loving sharing them with our friends and family even more.

So far...it has been a fruitful summer:)