Celebrating America 7.4.11

Norman and Logan enjoying some dinner.
Cousins.

Fireworks seen from Papa and Grandma's lawn.

All bundled up and still cold!

Norm looking for comfort on Grandma's lap...he's not the biggest fireworks fan.

We ended out evening with some good food, time to just play and hang out, and a fireworks display. Grandma and Papa live in the perfect area for catching fireworks from a couple towns, neighbors, and friends. It was cold, but fun to watch them all. A very happy birthday to you America!!! Life is good!

Croquet 7.4.11

Next on the agenda was some croquet playing. Logan decided that he didn't want to play, but Mike, Kim, Shane, Grandma, and I were all for it. Oh, and Norman definitely wanted in on the action. It was so funny...that dog of ours tried to get his mouth on anything he could, whether it was a mallet, a ball, or a marker...he was playing this game with us, darnit! I pretended to be annoied, but little did the rest of them know, I had secretly trained Norman to pick up their balls and move them further back. Was it a coincidence that I won the game? I'll let you decide! ;o)
{Have tried to post pictures to this post 4 times to no avail. Will post without pictures for now and try again.}

Happy Birthday America 7.4.11

Go Logan Go!
Way to go Grandma..lookin' good!

I struggled for what felt like forever and for the life of me I couldn't get our stinkin' kite to stay up, then Jeff pulls up, walks on over, and BAM kite way in the air! {But I'm not bitter!}

Shane definitely takes after his dad in his kite flying abilities!

Happy 4th of July! Today Logan, Norman, and I headed out to Grandma and Papa's house to join them, Uncky Mike, Uncle Jeff, Auntie Kim, Shaneo, and Neiko for some 4th of July fun! It was an absolutely beautiful day with just enough a little breeze that we thought maybe some kite flying was in order! I wasn't having much luck, but Grandma and Uncle Jeff are pros. Then Shane and Logan got in on the action as well and the kites, they were aflyin'.

Flag, Food, and Fireworks 7.3.11

Another tradition that I try to accomplish every year is a picture of Logan and I in front of the flag. These have been some of my favorite pictures in the past so I made sure to get another one this year. I also got one of Craig and Logan in front of the flag as well. Another aspect of our 4th of July celebrations that never fails to disappoint, is the food! This year we did hot dogs for lunch and crab and caeasar salad for dinner...YUM!!!! So delicious! Usually after dinner is around the time that Logan and I pack up and head home, however, this year we decided to stay for fireworks...out on the island they set off their community fireworks on the 3rd of July every year so it never makes sense to stay late on the 4th since there are no BIG fireworks. So, we bundled up {not enough as it ended up being mighty chilly} and headed to a local golf course for the best view! {I forgive you Jolene for getting us lost! ;o)} And while it took awhile for them to actually start, and we had some hooligans next to us, the fireworks themselves were amazing! So beautiful! It was a fantastic day. Thanks so much to Bill and Jolene and everyone who makes this day so special and includes us in it! We are so blessed! Life is ever so great!

A Tradition 7.3.11

2011
2010

2009

2008

Since the kids were very little, Linda, Karen, and I have tried to get a picture of the mom's and their little ones every year on the 4th of July. We did it again this year and as always I'm so surprised by all the changes. They grow up so darn fast!

More 3rd of July 7.3.11

Getting in the spirit of things.
Happy Birthday America!

What a great lookin' group!

Patriots!

Lookin' good Logan!

Then it was time for the annual parade around the house! Everyone decks out in their red, white, and blue finest, someone grabs the ghetto blaster, someone else grabs the flag, the kids grab the candy, and it's twice around the house!!!

Pre-Fourth of July Party 7.3.11

The crab hunt was on!
Linda and her girls.

We love spending time at the beach.

Yes, we were attempting to get all the kids in the air at once...ummm, well...

Love my all American boy!

Practically every year Logan and I spend the 4th of July out on the island with our friends. This year, they had a wedding in the family approaching and elected to celebrate the 4th on the 3rd. Well, that certainly didn't deter us...we were game! So on Sunday I loaded up the car, picked up Logan from Mike and this year we got a special treat...Linda, Brooke, and Reese hitched a ride with us as Jason was going to meet them out at the island later! It was so nice to be able to visit with Linda so much. The day was awesome {as usual} with fun to be had everytime we turned around. Our day began with some time spent down at the beach. {I was especially careful this year, as last year on that same beach I dropped my camera in the water and killed it.}

Office Remodel 6.30.11

Before...
Maple Leaf Red...

Logan helping with the chair rail...

First coat...

After!!!!

After living in this house for 8 years, I'm finally getting around to doing something with our home office. It is the last room in our home that has yet to see a bucket of paint or window treatments or anything, really. So, after cleaning and organizing {which was a job in and of itself}, we cleared everything out, taped, painted, and put up wainscoating, with the help of my very capable brother...Thank you Mike!!! I still need to get the window treatments, but otherwise it's done baby! And it feels SO good. I want to spend all my time in this room now. {In fact, it's where I'm sitting as I type this!} Life is good with a long awaited project complete!

May School Work 6.29.11

So as we close in on the end of June, I thought it was probably time to take down all of Logan's school work from the month of May! ;o) So, I snapped a quick picture of Logan and all his great work. I'm so proud of this little guy! These past two years of preschool have been simply amazing! Life is good.

Cars 2 6.27.11

So excited!
Fry and Fry give this movie two thumbs up!

When Logan and I heard that there was going to be a Cars 2 movie coming out, we just knew we'd have to go see it! So, on a Monday afternoon we called up Grandma to see if she would like to join us for a matinee movie! And I have to say, they did a great job! Great new characters, action packed, funny, good. Logan loved it and still doesn't quite understand the concept that if he's seen it once then there's no reason why we can't see it again right away in our own home. Patience, buddy, patience. Life is good at the movies!

Delectable 6.26.11

Would it be wrong of me to ask for one of each?
The boys picke surprisingly quick!

Ummm, yes please!

Good choice Craig.

I think Brett was happy with his chioce! ;o)

After the zoo, as amazing as it sounds, we still had enegry left over so we headed to the cupcake mecca! It's this very cool high end cupcake store and oh my, were they ever so delicious. Let's see if I can remember what everyone had...well, I had the Carrot Walnut, Karen had the Pina Colada, Brett had the Chocolate Chip Mint, Craig had the Red Velvet, and Logan had the Triple Chocolate. HEAVEN! Absolute, heaven! They were filling, fresh, soft, moist, and along with a tall glass of milk, the perfect treat! I so want to go back soon...well, maybe not too soon. my waistline wouldn't approve! Thanks so sharing this place with us Karen. Life is so good and delicious! ;o)

It's Time to Get WILD 6.26.11

At the Zoo, that is! And we were off...my first official weekend of summer and Karen and I loaded up the boys and headed to the zoo! We wanted to take advantage of the events they were offering...specifically, feeding the giraffes and elephants, and checking out the dinosaur exhibit they had on hand! And what a great day! There's just no way to do the experience justice with pictures, but that won't stop me from including a few. The weather was beauitful. The boys did great. The animals were at their best. It was a wonderful day. Life is good.

Playdate 6.21.11

After dinner, the boys {and Karen and I} got their own little ice cream containers...here's Logan in ice cream heaven!
Craig was excited about his as well!

As was Brett! ;o)

Wait! Where did Craig, Brett, and Logan go?

It's the last week of school. The boys are already done. Summer is in the air. It was time for an evening playdate with Craig and Brett! It goes without saying how much fun Karen and I have when we get to hang out together {right, Karen?}, but what I love is watching those boys. Craig is becoming such a great big brother to Brett. He's so patient and kind to him. Then there's my only child. ;o) Not that Logan is bad, by any means, he's just not quite used to sharing as much and definitely doesn't get the whole, Brett is younger than you and may not understand what it is you want of him thing. But we're working on it! And today was especially fun when the boys decided to dress up! LOVE IT!!!! Thanks for a great evening Karen! Life is good!