4th of July Weekend

The 4th of July is a favorite holiday around here... and this year was no different!

I think this was before the weekend, but the kids were having a blast jumping in the puddles!

Slip-n-slide fun!

Daddy kisses!

A 4th of July parade!

EmJ playing at Nana and Papa's on the 4th... pretty sure she's making some kind of "soup" here :o)

Luke was having fun too!

Fireworks!

Hope you had a great 4th!

happy 4th of july!

FYI

I put EmJ's 5 year old pictures up on my photography blog.

:o)

love

Just had to share this... :o)

(PSST... there's a new blog below too!)

Wyoming

Jeff's mom and step-dad (Grandma Chuck and Grandpa Greg) own some land in Wyoming, so a few weeks ago we took a trip up there to check it out. It was windy (I know, in Wyoming? Crazy!), but we had lots of fun. There were all kinds of animals to see like antelope, deer, and even wild horses. As we were driving in we saw a pack of wild horses running... it was one of the coolest things I have ever seen. Of course my camera was in the trunk, so there aren't any pictures... lame! Next time! :o)

EmJ got a .22 rifle from Grandpa and Grandma for her birthday (and yes, it's pink!). So, we thought she'd better shoot it, right?! :o)



Safety first!

Dad showing her where to look and how to aim

Ok, here we go...!
 This was a huge moment in Jeff's life (his daughter shooting a gun for the very first time!) - I think he was more excited than she was!

Did you like it?! (yes, she did!)

Luke picking up rocks and random flowers... pretty much what he did the whole time ;)

Luke! Cover your ears!

There aren't ear plugs that will fit in his ears ;) - but don't worry- EmJ's gun is about as loud as a firecracker.

Marching, marching, marching

Run like the wind! (or with it!)

:o)

Sweet boots!

All Tangled Up!

We had EmJ's 5th Birthday party this weekend... and it was everything "Tangled" (the Disney movie about Rapunzel). We had a fabulous time and EmJ loved it!

I still can't believe she's 5... but she's quick to remind me! :o)

Our friend Sarah did the cupcakes, as usual... and they were so yummy, as usual! EmJ's is the middle one with 5 flowers :o)

At one point in the movie, Rapunzel and Flynn sit on a boat to watch the floating lanterns, so we made some jello boats :o)

Rapunzel's Tower - aka the doughnut cake

The spread!

We had some other cute decorations I forgot to take pictures of - lanterns hanging from fishing line to look like they were floating and a cool banner over the food table like the ones in the town square in the movie. EmJ loved them so much that she asked if we can hang them up in her room, so maybe I'll take pictures once we do that. ;)

Welcome to my party! (she was so excited! love that smile!)

We made Pascal (Rapunzel's friend) party blowers... they were a hit!

Nate and EmJ

At one point in the movie Rapunzel hits Flynn on the head with a frying pan- and the frying pan becomes a big part of the movie. So, we played pin the frying pan on Flynn!

Got him! :o)

This is most of the kids who were at the party... what a fun time we all had! Thanks so much to everyone who was able to come!

FIVE!

Making a wish, I'm sure...

Yum! EmJ picked lemon cupcakes cause they are her favorite... and boy, were they delicious!

One present was this Tangled ribbon... think she liked it? ;)

Luke had a blast playing with all the tissue paper!

Love this picture!

Happy Birthday to our 5 year old EmJ! We love you!!!

EmJ's a Preschool Grad!

That's right! EmJ graduated from preschool! ;)



Waving to us as she was walking in... love how her cap is almost covering her eye! Ha!

Graduate!

Good job, EmJ! We're excited for the next adventure! :o)

EmJ is 5!

I can't believe it... EmJ is 5! To celebrate 5 years with this fabulous, sweet, funny, and incredible girl... here are some of our favorite pictures of her!

EmJ... you have brought us more joy than we ever thought possible. We are so blessed and thankful that God chose us to be your family. Happy 5th Birthday! We love you!!!

Love,

Daddy, Mommy, and Luke