more {SuMMeR} FuN!!!

We had our SuPer fun friends from Texas come up this past weekend!

We spent the afternoon at the pool, in hopes we would wear the kids out.

Taylor and John enjoyed making a Big SpLash!

so did the others...

I love that Lily is basking in the sun on her pink tube,

she growing up...alot (sorry Colby, I know you want your kids to stay little!)

Colby, also told me I needed to get my creative juices flowing before she got here...

she has a new niece coming in September...

Here is what I came up with:

I had the fabric leftover from a dress I made for Maddie, aren't they cute?

Kinda makes me want a baby girl again (kinda)!

and to think we would wear out the kids by swimming all afternnon...

they didn't go to sleep until almost 11!

Oh well...Maddie fell asleep about 30 minutes after they left (5 pm) and slept until

almost 8 the next morning :)

We asked John and Taylor to take a picture of us...

after about 20 tries this was the best we got.

Thanks Colby and kids for coming to play...it was ALMOST as fun as our Dumosa days!!!

Because I was bored...

Our plans were to spend the afternoon at the pool, but the weather didn't cooperate today, and I didn't feel like doing laundry or cleaning my house,

because we all know that isn't fun!

So instead, I played around on my computer and took some pictures of my silly girl, then did a few assignments from another online class I'm taking.

That was much more fun!!!

Here is my first picture before adding some new techniques.

AFTER

Playing around with some textures.

Just because she was being cute.

Jumping around on the trampoline, she just looks like a big girl to me here,

I can't believe how big she is getting!

Maddie was out with Dale when he was mowing the grass,

but instead turned on the sprinkler and grabbed her tube...she is so funny sometimes!

Hopefully I will get done what I didn't do today...tomorrow???

Just a few things we've been UP to...

One of our favorite things to do on a hot summer night is going to get a snocone.

They have them on almost every corner around here. The kids love them, and it's so fun to see what flavor they pick each time.

Maddie's favorite's are Barbie, Minnie Mouse, and Blue Bubblegum.

Taylor is like his Dad and likes anything sour, but some of his favorite's are Cry Baby, Tiger's Blood, and Rainbow. I'll stick with Peach Daquiri, thank you!

Dale has also been playing on our church softball team.

It has been fun going and hanging out with all of our friends from church every Thursday night. The kids have so much fun playing in the dirt and just running around the park.

I enjoy myself visiting with all my friends, and cheering on Dale and the rest of the team.

Our reward was always a snocone after.

The little lady and her daddy.

Some of the kids after one of the games.

Another activity my kids loved last summer is the splash pad.

This year we have only been a couple of times, and it hasn't been as big of a hit,

maybe because they love the swimming pool so much?

They did have fun though...obviously!

I just got back from San Diego...here is proof I was there!

Because we know Oklahoma does not have palm trees!

I love California, and really miss living there, the weather is so nice and there is just something about the scenery there!!!

I also got to go here. It is simply one of the most beautiful places I have ever been!

I got home in time for a BBQ and fireworks with friends for the 4th of July,

only to be rained out.

We still had some yummy food, and good company.

They rescheduled the fireworks for Sunday night, so we braved the crowds and had fun watching them. I didn't even bring my camera though, I guess I had taken enough pictures in San Diego, I just wanted to relax and enjoy my time with family and friends.

We have a lot more planned for this summer...

Our friends from Texas are coming this week, Maddie's 4th Birthday,

and our big trip out to Las Vegas and Utah to visit my family and yes, my 20th High School Reunion! (yikes, I just gave my age away...please don't judge :p)

It should be a fun filled 3 weeks!

First Aid Frenzy!!!

Yep...into the bandaids yet again!

I found her in the bathroom this afternoon, decorating her leg.

Mind you, she has no boo boos...

Obviously just a little obsession with bandaids.

I'm thinking we might need to take out some stock in bandaid brand...

ya think???

My 1st Wedding.

It has been a busy week, between trying to keep my kids happy and occupied, I shot my 1st wedding this past weekend.

You can see more here.

I still have a lot more to edit, so I have my work cut out for me. I am leaving for San Diego on Thursday to do more pictures of them at the beach and temple.

I don't know if I'm more excited about having a child free 3 days or going to the San Diego Temple and walking the sandy beaches?!

I will try to get back on a regular blogging schedule, one of these days.

OUCH!

While swimming at our pool the other day, Taylor came up from doing a hand stand under the water and hit his head on the side of the pool, and split his head open. So, after a 2 hour trip to the doctor they ended up using the glue instead of a stitching (lucky boy)! The doctor recommended no swimming for 6 days...6 DAYS!!!! What the heck??? We live at the pool!

So needless to say, we have tried to find some other things to do to keep us busy...so far it has been Laser Tag, and the movies, but that is getting expensive! We just might have to go swimming anyway?!

I love that kid...as much as he makes me crazy!!!

A Kind Deed & our little Girly Girl.

Dale has been working a lot lately, of course what's new? We knew he had weekend duty this past weekend too. So when Friday evening rolled around Dale and I decided to meet at a restuarant across from the base. When we pulled up at the restuarant Taylor saw another place he would rather go. So I called Dale back and told him Taylor wanted to go to "the peanut place" instead, Dale agreed and said he would be there soon.

The kids and I sat down and the kids started in on the peanuts as we waited...and waited for Dale to come. The kids were being unusually good eating up the peanuts and bread. All the while there was a middle aged couple and their mother sitting in the booth behind us. Dale finally showed up after about 20 minutes and we ate our dinner. I happen to notice the couple sitting behind us get up and leave. A few minutes later our server came over and informed us the gentleman sitting behind us had paid for our meal!!! Dale and I looked at each other and said "Are you kidding?" and she said, no she wasn't. We couldn't believe it! Dale took off outside to see if they were still in the parking lot, so he could Thank them...but they were gone. We still couldn't believe someone would do that for us. Our server said she has seen it happen before. We are positive it was because of Dale showing up in his uniform late for dinner with his family. We were just so grateful for the generosity of this man. It really made me feel good about the people in our community who support our military and their families. It made me more aware of the kindness we can give to others anonymously. It also gave us the opportunity to teach Taylor a lesson on paying it forward and doing a kind deed for someone else.

And because I can't do a post without a picture...

Here is our Girly Girl putting on her "Lippy's"

She is so funny...when ever I am putting on my make-up, she is right next to me, trying on every kind of lip gloss I own! (which I have to admit is too many!) I have most likely created a make-up monster.

A Summer Day.

We are still trying to make ajustments to our summer routine.

Maddie and I are used to doing "our thing" while Taylor is at school, so now that he is out, he kinda cramps Miss Maddie's style! He has taken "her spot" on the couch...which results in a kicking match...

It's all fun and games...for a few minutes.

Then Maddie forgets who is bigger and stronger then her, which then results in her getting hurt ! (she totally eggs him on though, so she needs to learn her lesson somehow, right?)


So...to try to remedy the situation, we have a friend come hang out with Taylor...they pretty much hang out in webkinz world or play video games.

and we have been spending a lot of time at the neighborhood pool...

Love that smerk!

"Look Mom I'm swimming"

She is so excited to have figured out the floaties thing...I just wish she would agree to swimming lessons. (maybe next month she will feel comfortable enough in the water that we can try it again!)

She was having so much fun kicking herself from one end of the pool to the other...counting and singing all the way.

We got him some new Diving toys, to keep him busy at the pool.


Showing off one of his "sweet moves"


Maddie all wrapped up in her 2 towels.

She always gets so cold...no matter how hot it is outside, but that doesn't stop her from jumping right back in the pool.


SO...here's to another summer day!

Corn on the Cob anyone?

Dance.Dance.Dance.

Our little dancer had her recital last week. She sure has enjoyed dance this year. She has a CD that she listens to and practices with all the time in her room, and every single time we drive by the community center, she squeals..."Mommy that's where my dance class is!" It is so cute!


We were a bit concerned she wouldn't perform, because at the dress rehersal she came running over to me and started crying and wouldn't dance with her class.

So the night of the recital I purposely didn't volunteer to be a stage mom (I hate the sound of that, anyway) so that I could drop her off backstage and then go sit in the audience, where hopefully she couldn't see us...I just thought she might be better off.

...and I was right! She did so well! It was so stinkin' cute watching all those little girls dance.

We did get a great laugh at Maddie's little friend Grace, when she folded her arms and turned around and protested, while the rest danced...such a funny girl!

We did get it all on video, but I haven't figured it out (ok...I haven't even tried) to download video onto my computer, let alone on blogger. I will though...at some point.

Way to go Maddie Cakes...this is just the beginning! We love you!