Monday, July 12, 2010

4th of July

You know me...Miss Better Late than Never. So in true form, I am now going to share with you the pictures of our 4th of July.
Or, maybe we'll start with the 3rd. On Saturday afternoon/evening, Duke and his Dad took Grant to the Outlaw Sprint Car Races. Since Tootie and I were on our own, we hit the river at my friend Lisa's Dad's house.
They have an annual golf tourney but since Lisa is 9 mos pregnant and has an almost 1 year old she opted not to golf (go figure!) and just hang on the beach. I also had the job of getting some prego belly pics of her like we did last year and they turned out adorable.
After our afternoon visit there, we headed up to Duke's parents for the weekend. Since they live on the lake, there was a lot of swimming, boating and sunshine to enjoy. (The pic below was just of 'traffic' on the lake...no one we knew sailing)
Now that Grant is getting more and more comfortable in the water he decided it was time he learned to jump off the dock.
I'm sure it had something to do with the fact that Emily is an old pro at the canon ball and he's never but two steps behind his Emily!
That afternoon, Grant declared to the neighbors, "Hey Jeff and Karen, I learned to swim today." In his mind, he is now a real swimmer, I guess :) Throughout the day he also perfected the 'dead mans float'. As proud as I am of him for learning how to hold his breath under water, I hate when he practices this. Even the picture of it creeps me out!
Little Miss Siss wasn't brave enough to make the leap off the dock unless I was there to catch her (which, coincidentally, is hard to do with a camera in my hands) so she enjoyed a game of push the big kids in the water.She sure thought she was something...not sure what, but something!
Here is Emily and Duke trying to convince Grant to jump of the end of the dock. He was having NONE of that.
The side of the dock was plenty for him. Thankyouverymuch!
Until Daddy talked Little Man into being tossed off the side of the dock that is!
Here is the pre-launch pep talk...
And we have lift-off!
Next it was Emily's turn.
...And Grant's turn...
...Emily's turn...
...and Grant's turn! {Notice how they keep getting higher and higher...YIKES!}
And finally, the last launch of the evening. This one cracks me right up. I can just hear him yelling 'YEE-HAW!"
One more of Audrey channeling Pamela Anderson on Baywatch. Can you picture it in slow motion with the cheezy music in the background? I totally can!
After a long day of swimming it was time for jimmer jammers...
...and a snack (or some BBQ chicken!)...
and a couple of hundred laps around the house chasing the little neighbor kid, Noah!
All while us adults were able to enjoy an adult beverage (or two!) and this beautiful view.
Duke's Aunt Karen and her husband Carl were in town from WA but I never ended up getting a picture of them. Darn it! But it was really nice having a chance to visit with them, reminisce and have a few laughs. You can't beat a 4th of July filled with sunshine and good company.

post signature

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Summer time, summer time, sum, sum, summer time!

Summertime is apparently my blog slacking time...can you tell? Summertime is also the time for freezie pops and sprinklers around our house. We have had a lot of rain this summer but the last couple of days have been scorchers and the grass has dried out quickly so I pulled out the trusty old tractor sprinkler. Of course, the kids just haaad to put on their swimming suits so they could run through it. I think Grant was channeling a little Steve Urkel here!At least it was Grant's plan to run through. Audrey...she is always a little more skeptical of the whole idea.Charge!
Grant ran in balls to the walls but Audrey just stood back and was like, 'Uh-uh! My Mama didn't raise no fool!"
Grant was all, "Oh, but Audrey it is fun. Common. I'll go with you. See. It's not so bad." And And Audrey was like "Yeah, whateva Dude!"
Since Grant's attempt with Audrey was failed, I guess he figured 'Why not see if Roxy will go with me?"
As you can see, Roxy was like "No way...notachance!"
Audrey did finally cave to the peer pressure and ran in a little ways...lovin' every minute of it as you can see!
Grant made pass after pass through the ice cold water until he could run no more.
Then he got the bright idea to turn the water off so that the sprinkler would 'pee' water until the pressure went down. Then back on and off and on and off...
His next bright idea was to hold onto the sprinkler and try to 'block' the water. How do you think that went for him???
Another bright idea to try to spray Mom. NOT a good choice!
Sissy just stood back in the wings and watched the show.
Meanwhile, Roxy emerged as 'Swamp Thing' after a leisurely dip in the pond.
I love this next picture of her. Audrey thinks she looks scary but I think it is pure beauty.
More of the sprinkler being turned off and on and Audrey running away squealing in delight.
She is still a little apprehensive, but...
...I think she has a new love for the sprinkler.
Just like her big brother!
One last sip before we go!
Hope everyone is having a great weekend. I have spent a good part of today editing some baby belly and beach bum pictures I took of my friend, Lisa and her son Gage. They turned out super cute but I have to check with her before I share any as I am not sure how private she wants to be with them. I have lots of pictures from the last few weeks to share as well so I better get my butt in gear posting them before they are a month old! Oh, and I am doing a photo shoot of a friend of a friend's 3 girls this week too, so excited!

post signature

Friday, July 2, 2010

Riding In Cars With Kids

Riding in Cars with Boys Kids is always an interesting adventure. Since I am behind in my posts, these pictures are from two weekends ago when we were on our way to a graduation party. All buckled up with their blankies on their laps.
You'd think we were going on a big road trip, wouldn't you!? But nope, only a 10 min car ride but one ALWAYS needs their blankie...just incase, you know!
To pass the time, Audrey sang 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' with hand signals and all. (This is the "Like a Diamond in the Sky" part)
Audrey looked so cute in her little bows and fountain top piggies!
And Grant was too busy watching a movie to have time to smile for me.
Oh wait! There is a smile...a mischievous smile that is!
A little more cuteness...
We did have to make a pit stop so Duke could drop off some parts so to pass the time, I took pics of the kiddos. I told them to make faces and this was Grant lame (preoccupied) attempt at a funny face.
Audrey was much more cooperative! I think this is supposed to be the 'mad' face. She doesn't look very mad now, does she?!
And here's the 'happy' face.
Now the 'crabby' face...
Oohhh...here is the infamous 'stink eye' face!
This one is the 'excited' face...
And this would be the 'super excited' face!
Not sure what you call this face but I think she was making the motor sound with her lips.
And lastly the 'I'm cute and there is no way I am ever naughty or whiny' look. DO NOT let her fool you!!!!!
So which face is your favorite?

I have the day off today so we are headed to the splash pad after lunch and then we have a weekend filled with family, friends and fireworks, OH MY!

Have a Happy 4th of July!

post signature

Our Blogger Templates Web Design