I scream, you scream, we all scream for ICE CREAM!

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!

One way we love to cool off during the summer is by indulging in some ice cream. So far that is one word that Tootie can say loud-n-clear!

Her daddy has a bad habit of devouring his dinner and then his craving for ice cream takes over so presumably without thinking he goes into the freezer and grabs himself some dessert...in front of the kids who have barely begun to eat their dinner. NICE!

I always have to play "bad mama" and tell them they have to finish their dinner before they get their treat. On this particular evening, drumsticks were on the menu. Tootie wasn't quite sure how to get her mouth around the entire thing, especially with all of the hard chocolate and nuts so the inner beaver in her reared it's ugly cute little head!

She was pleased as punch that for once she didn't have to share with me and she actually had what she referred to as "mine own i-cream"

Don't be mistaken...Pokey Pete finally finished his dinner and got to join in on the sugary fun too

He was a little more methodical about how he was going to enjoy his long awaited treat...

Piece by nuttily-delicious piece that is!

What a stinkin' goof ball he is!

Meanwhile, back on the farm little Daisy Duke was still munchin' away!

...and munchin'!

There is nothing better than a good ice cream cone to make a heart {and a little girl} smile!

Now go grab yourself a little treat of your own and take a moment to enjoy some priceless memories with your loved ones! I know I will...my little punk has his "Mr. White" {the name that Grant gave his blankie when he was about 2 and it has just stuck!} and wants a little snuggle time with Mommy.

Tootle-loo!

The 4th of July at the Lake

I can't think of anywhere else I would rather celebrate a warm, sunny 4th of July than on the lake.

And neither can Audrey for that matter. She loves spending time at the lake playing on the beach and dipping her toes in the water.

Grant, on the other hand dives right in. He was rescuing a dead sunfish with that purple bucket and he was so proud of himslef.

Shortly thereafter we talked Grandpa Oscar into giving us a pontoon ride around the entire lake. Everyone was all sunblocked, sunglasses and life jacked up and ready to roll.

Of course, Grant had to torment his little Sissy a bit. She wasn't having any of it and about chomped his finger off!

Daddy even had to step in and play referee.

But that didn't stop our tenacious 4 year old. He had to give her one more poke! I think I would have laughed if she had nipped him, just to teach him a little lesson!

Sooner or later, everyone kept their hands to themselves and we simply enjoyed the scenery.

Grant was bummed that we missed the boat parade but at least we got to watch it from shore and wave until our arms were ready to fall off!

Emily and Julie were along for the ride too. Notice, Em still has her face paint on from the night before.

Not sure what was going on here, but that is a pretty funny face she is making. Looks like maybe her Mom goosed her!

Tootie was thoroughly enjoying her front row seat stand.

Grant even got a taste of his own medicine by Emily tickling him. That serves him right!

By popular request, Grandpa even "punched it" for the kids. The always get a kick out of going fast.

I love being able to share these special times and make memories with my kids. Seeing the smiles on their faces makes even the bad times fade away.

Speaking of fading...Tootie hadn't napped all day and she started falling asleep standing up! Look at how drowsy her eyes are here!!!

Minutes later she could no longer stand it and just had to lie down. Don't fool yourself though. She only stayed down for about a minute. She must have caught her second wind cause she was up the rest of the trip.

Towards the end of the ride we came across a mama loon and her two babies. I didn't have my zoom lens on so I didn't get any extreme close ups but it is always cool to see a loon up close and personal.

We even got to see the mama feeding her baby. How precious!

I am so thankful that I have been blessed with a wonderful husband, two beautiful children and good health for us all so that we are able to share these special times.

I wish the same good fortune upon you all!

Welcome Gage Mikkel Bjerga!

I had my 4th of July post all done and ready to publish, but as it turns out, I have waaaaaay more exciting news to share! My best friend, Lisa gave birth to her first child this morning at 5:59am. His name is Gage Mikkel Bjerga and he weighs 6 lbs 10 oz and measures 19.5"

What a little peanut! He was just over a week early but Lisa was having a lot of edema (swelling) and high blood pressure so the Dr. decided it was time to meet little Gage at her regular check up and she was induced yesterday evening. The picture above was taken on a cell phone and I received it via text. I will be heading up to visit the happy Bjerga family...all 3 of them now...and to meet baby Gage in person tomorrow evening. I can hardly wait!
Please join me in congratulating Lisa and Dan on the birth of their beautiful baby boy!!

Oh, and stay tuned cause I scheduled the 4th of July post to publish tomorrow evening at 5 so you won't have to wait all that much longer.