Summer Happenings

Just popping' in to share a bit of this week's summer vaca.

Not too much has changed, we are still lapping up the freedom and the sunshine.  I shudder to flip my calendar over to July tomorrow.  The weeks are just flying by.

This week the bigs were off to camp.  That left me some amazing bonding time with my littlest.  Lucy was most certainly missing Jack and Maggie so I did my best to fill her days.  We knocked a few things off of her "summer list" like the park, the pool, and my most fave being a trip down to The Puppet Center.

We watched The Little Pirate Mermaid.  I almost couldn't handle the cuteness and Lu was in awe...she still adores mermaids!

We followed the show with the puppet making workshop.  Lucy initially was disappointed to see we would be making a stingray instead of a mermaid but quickly recovered.  She was way too cute  decorating her puppet.  I couldn't get enough of watching her little creative genius at work. {I literally stalk the child and every move she makes...I'm really trying to not let this one grow up}  Lucy insisted on using every material available making us the last to get shooed out of the classroom.

{Beware...iphone pictures ahead...}

And although it may look like it, we really did not match nor did we intend to look like we had tried to.

As I mentioned, Jack and Maggie were off at camp this week.  Maggie chose a horse camp and it turned out to be one of her favorite experiences.  She has already started asking about returning to horse back riding lessons {you know the expensive inconvenient ones}.

I was lucky enough that her instructor sent me a few pictures during the week.  It was plain to see why she was loving it so much.

As for Jack, he was at baseball camp {which he too loved}.  Unfortunately, I imagine the last thing coaches think about is sending a pic to mom.  But, Jack did come home with the "Team Captain" award.  I was bubbling with pride when the coaches told me what it took to receive that honor.

Jack even took a field trip to the MLB stadium and go to meet one of the players.  The camp definitely exceeded all of our expectations {since I know he is waiting for it...you were right Clay}.

Now I'm off to finish up a few volunteer Cricut jobs.  I couldn't say no to helping out sweet Ms. R with her bridesmaids gifts and I definitely couldn't say no to a dear friend taking my Jack off for a weekend to the lake here soon.

My goal is to finish up just in time to enjoy some FaBuLoUs 4th plans....if you could only see my office right now...

Summer Shame

Oh' the shame...I have been so absent from my blogging and documenting duties.  I should be riddled with guilt.  And part of me is...and the other part is lapping up this incredible shame that summer has afforded me.

I mean...SUMMER is completely my JAM!  I love having to be somewhere, but not really.  I love pushing back morning time, nap time, or even dinner time.  Oh my, the flexibility makes me giddy.

And let's not forget the SuNsHiNe...a little vitamin D does this momma good.

So that being said, I assure you we have been rocking this summer with splashes, dinners poolside, playdates, sleep overs, jumpy places galore, camps, and lots of ice cream.

But, get ready for some more Summer Shame....my camera hasn't exactly made it everywhere with me. {gasp!}

So here are a few iPhone pics so I can check off my documenting duty and return to enjoying my shameful summer...

I know what you are thinking...it's a SHAME the picture quality isn't better.  I couldn't agree more, but at least we are having fun!

Happy "Farter"s Day

I wish I could say that was a typo up there in the title, but...no...it's not.  Somehow the sweet holiday of celebrating our Daddy got renamed...slightly by accident.

In the cutest way ever, Lulu just can't seem to spit out her /th/ sound.  So what should be Father's Day is now "Farter"s Day.  Of course we hardly gave it a second thought when the littlest mispronounced it.  But it only took once for our 9 year old BOY {note that's in caps} to be in ear shot.  I'm not sure I will ever get boy humor.

As you can imagine from there the entire day was renamed while giggles were near uncontrollable.  Being the trooper he is, our Daddy just rolled with it.

It certainly didn't hurt that we treated him to a day at the College Football Hall of Fame.  If there was ever a museum made for our Daddy, this is the one.

I bought tickets ahead of time.  It really wasn't much help as we still had to wait in the line {still puzzled about that one}, but it did ensure we were able to get in.

Upon entry we were given our lanyards and access passes.  We registered them with our names and favorite teams at the kiosk.  I assume you know who Jack and Daddy picked.  I, on the other hand, was shocked to find my little college listed.  Pretty cool...for me anyway!

The first {and favorite} stop was the interactive skills field.  We had a great time kicking, catching, and throwing.  I'm sure you will notice there is not one picture of Maggie during this athletic adventure.  She opted to man the sidelines with the camera.  I was impressed by some of the shots she captured though.

The rest of the museum was, shall I say it?....boring for the littles, but totally fascinating for Daddy.  And this day was about him after all.  The kids did get a kick of how the screens and exhibits often lit up with their team information when they tapped their access pass against it.  Technology never ceases to amaze me.

Other highlights included a 10 minute football documentary on the big screen.  The girls loved the cheerleaders and their costumes and the boys loved the action.  We also got a glimpse of a Heisman Trophy.  Can't say that happens everyday.

Post museum we headed out into the bright sunshine of the city.  We were are all starving and were looking for a casual bite to eat.  We spotted a "Seafood Bar" and ducked right in.  To our surprise it was near fine dining.  The sign and name were completely misleading.

As you can imagine, I was mortified as I layed the linen napkin across my lap and tried to hide my Chuck Taylors under the table.  We were so deep in by that point there was no escape.

Luckily the food was absolutely delish and Daddy thoroughly enjoyed his meal.  I scarfed mine down and bolted out of that place before anyone could judge us.  Lesson learned on the supposed "Seafood Bar".

All embarrassment aside, I'd like to wish Clay a very Happy Father's  Farters Day!  You are more than we could ever ask for.  Thank you for loving us, being patient with us, and taking care of us.  I can't imagine anyone else I'd rather be on this crazy journey of parenthood with!  xoxo

Lake Lady Turns 80

My sweet grandma {also known as Lake Lady} just celebrated her 80th birthday.  It's amazing, but she is just as beautiful and wonderful as ever.  How is that even possible?  I am wishing, hoping, and praying for those genes.  

We all met up at Kentucky Lake for the big occasion.  I spent all my childhood summers at this house and many of my best memories took place right there.  I just love that my kids get to do the same.  It was an honor to celebrate my Grandma with all of the family.

I know I've mentioned it a time or two, but in case you need reminding, I have a little country in my soul.  So I figured...in Kentucky do as the Kentuckians do.  And that might explain my tee, not to mention I just had to sport it for my favorite country boy cuz.  He's promised me a trucker hat in return...I can't wait!

And speaking of cousins, my littles got their fill of cousins for days on end.  It was such great fun for all of them.  All these girls were a lot of work for Jack.  Luckily he's finally got a boy cousin on this side {unfortunately he's still in diapers, but it still counts}

Us adults has so much fun reuniting.  We had the whole family {minus Jon & Bailee...boo hoo!} in attendance.   Meanwhile GG had no clue what was in store for her on Sunday.  I think she may have been just fine with all her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren hanging around, but there was much more to come....

We pretty much spent the week on the lake.  I mean, where else would we be?  It was beautiful and super hot so there was no better spot.  We swam, skied, boated, and tubed until we were water logged and sun drenched. My Maggie is sporting a serious tan...is it okay to be jealous of my own kid?

Come Sunday, it was time to celebrate our lake lady.  80 is no joke, so we knew we had to make it really special.  Not to mention, my Grandma is obsessed with her birthday {that's a little unknown fact that I don't know if she would appreciate me sharing}.

The boys took her out on the boat while us ladies stayed back and set up.  True love is setting up 9 foot tables and decorating them in 98 degree heat.  I literally almost died, as did the rest of the ladies in my fam.

It was completely worth it though.  GG departed her boat ride and stood in awe from the dock.  She had no idea we were having a real party!  She was absolutely giddy.

We scooted her upstairs to get her showered and made up, us ladies cleaned up as best we could, I changed my kiddos out of bathing suits and then we were ready to celebrate the big EIGHT O!

Naturally, we went for a nautical theme with the lake being a free back drop.  My Grandma loves all things nautical so it was pretty much a no brainer.  I'll spare you too many decorating details, but here are a few pictures.

In case you are wondering though, everything came from Party City, Zulily, Target, and Oriental Trading.  A few items were created by me and my Cricut {still love that thing}.

We showered Grandma with gifts before her guests arrived.  {another little unknown fact about my Grandma...she LOVES presents}.

We partied the hot afternoon away and enjoyed every minute of celebrating the Greatest Grandma in the world!  Grandma felt the love from all of her family, her neighbors, and friends....it was certainly a special day.  I don't think she stopped smiling from start to finish...love that!

 Once the crowds dispersed and the party was cleaned up, we all took a refreshing dip in the lake.  I am not kidding when I say it was a hot Hot HOT June day.  

I always love an excuse to get together with this side of my family...so much love and FUN!  I can't say that much can beat celebrating the matriarch of this crew.

Happy Birthday Grandma...GG...Lake Lady...you are loved more than words! xoxo