Some Pep and a Party

So Sophie finished up Cheer leading camp yesterday! Their mini-week ended with a little "show", and all the parents were invited to come watch. The girls recited about four different cheers and did a absolute fabulous job! They were able to learn and accomplish soooo much in just three days of camp. I was very impressed;) 

Such a FUN and PEPPY group of girls!

After a great performance, we hit up the ice cream store with our sweet friends for a little treat!

Later that night, we headed over to our neighborhood clubhouse for a party with the swim team. The boys each received their swim trophies and ribbons for placing in their meets. The entire team had yet another undefeated season this year...and THAT was definitely something to celebrate!

And who says you can't enjoy ANOTHER sweet treat in the same day. 

It IS summer, right;)

Summer Bucket List and Cookie Fun

Miss Sophie is attending Cheer leading Camp this week and she is enjoying EVERY SINGLE minute of it. Each morning, she wakes up, gets dressed, and skips downstairs excited about the day ahead. She is learning all sorts of cute cheers and can't wait to get to camp for more fun each day!

 Sunday night, (the evening before camp began) I quickly realized Sophie didn't have ANY shorts to wear in the morning. Seriously, this girl (actually BOTH girls) ONLY wear dresses, skirts, or ruffle pants;) Thankfully we had one pink and white polka dotted skort that would get us through the first day, but after that, we were toast;)
So after I picked Sophie up from camp on Monday, we headed to Target to buy some play clothes for the rest of the week. We walked into the store and she immediately fell in love with that hot pink outfit she's wearing in that top right picture. (The one where she looks 16---yeah that's the one)
 She couldn't wait to wear that outfit to camp on Tuesday morning, that she actually slept in it the night before; )

On another note, the kids and I made a summer bucket list this year. Each ice cream cone has a fun idea or exciting summer outing written on the back of it.

 Every morning, the kids run down stairs, pull off an ice cream cone, and discover what's in store for them that day.  

Some days they are in for a big adventure, and then others are just a simple activity. 

Yesterday, we celebrated "National Sugar Cookie Day" (yup, there's such a thing, HA!) by baking and decorating yummy sugar cookies.

 Both Corban and Sophie each had friends over for the afternoon, so it was great having them there to  participate in the decorating too!
A simple, but FUN way to spend a summer afternoon.

Our "All-Star"

Sunday night, Corban competed in the All-Star swim meet uptown. 

He was so excited to be part of this team and couldn't wait for the meet to begin. 

 He was chosen to swim in three different events... the free relay, the IM relay, and the 25 meter butterfly. He did a fantastic job in each of his events! 

We were all beyond proud of him!!

 I think, Corban had the BIGGEST fan club there cheering him from the stands.  

He is one LOVED little guy...for sure!

And one thing you may or may not know about swim meets is that they're L-O-N-G. Like most meets last for about four hours. The little kids are such troopers at these events, and usually are pretty good at entertaining themselves. 

 Sunday night, they had the MOST fun playing hide and seek in the lockers in ladies dressing room.  

 Hey...whatever it takes to make it work, right.!?!?

Celebrating America!

We are so blessed to live in a country where we are FREE! Free to worship, free to dream, free to love, free to live! I don't EVER want to take that freedom for-granted, or forget the price at which that freedom has come by!

  I want my kids to know what a privilege it is to live in America! 

I want them to understand what freedom means! 

I want them to realize what others have given...the ultimate price... so we can be FREE!!!

I am so grateful to all the men and women who serve and fight for the freedom that I enjoy!! Shane spent six years in the marines and I am so... proud of him for the time he spent serving our country!

July 4th is my MOST favorite holiday of the whole entire year! I just LOVE it!

Thursday morning, the kids woke up bright and early and helped me make breakfast!

Chocolate Chip muffins and dipped strawberries were on the menu!

After breakfast, we all got dressed in our red, white, and blue and headed out the door to our little towns 4th of July parade!

 Most floats throw candy for the kids to grab,

but one float was throwing SNOW into the crowd. 

How fun is THAT?!?!?

PERFECT for a HOT July day;)

Later that afternoon, we headed over to my parents house for a yummy cookout!

The kids always have the BEST time hanging out with their cousins and splashing around in my parents pool!

My parents live just up the street from a country club that is known around town for their amazing fireworks display. After letting off a few fireworks of our own, we headed up the street to watch the spectacular show!

And just like every other year, the fireworks did NOT disappoint!

Happy Birthday America!!

and...

God Bless the USA!!!

All-Star Breakfast

 Swim Team is almost over for the summer. We have just one more meet this season, and that's the All-Star meet on Sunday night. Corban made the team so he will compete against all the other All-Star swimmers that night! He's SOOOOOO excited! This morning, the All-stars (and their family's) got together at our neighborhood clubhouse for breakfast honoring the swimmers who will be competing this weekend. The kids had so much fun and are really getting pumped about their upcoming meet.

 After breakfast, the kids and I headed out to the pool for a swim. Seriously y'all, my kids have turned into little fish this summer! AK is especially in love with the pool and has NO FEAR of the water! It's a blast to watch her splash around, and I'm loving the fact that she's so comfortable in the pool.

Summer days are THE BEST!!!!

Hello and Goodbye!

Summer is in full swing at our house and we are definitely enjoyin' EVERY second! And as much as we anticipated the "dog days of summer" our life has not really slowed down too much! We just replaced many of our fall/winter activities with new and exciting summer ones. 

 We said, "Good Bye to soccer!"

 And "Hello to soft ball!" 

We said, "Good Bye to first grade!"

And "Hello to second grade!"

We said, "Good Bye to third grade!"

And "Hello to fourth grade!"

We said, "Good Bye to Awana!"

 

And "Hello to swim team!"

We said, "Good Bye to Shane and Corban"

And "Hello to a week at summer camp!"

We said, "Good Bye to alarm clocks and homework!!"

And "Hello to picnics and pool days!"

A Sweet Treat!

Enjoyin' a little treat at our brand new chic-fil-a!