4th of July

One of our favorite traditions every year is the 4th of July party we throw for our family in our backyard!  

It's always so much fun having everyone come over and eat, play in the water, and do other fun activities together in the beautiful summer weather!  

This year we did giant bubbles, decorated fairy doors, had tons of chaotic water play and some even played some intense volley ball! 'Twas a fun 4th for sure! 

These little cuties at the Parade before our BBQ. We live right next to the parade route so it's nice to be able to waltz on over and watch it when we wake up!  

These little cuties at the Parade before our BBQ. We live right next to the parade route so it's nice to be able to waltz on over and watch it when we wake up!  

We were able to meet up with some of our dearest friends The Dahl's at the parade which was wonderful! Here's Henry putting the moves on their eldest daughter 😂 

We were able to meet up with some of our dearest friends The Dahl's at the parade which was wonderful! Here's Henry putting the moves on their eldest daughter 😂 

Our patriotic spread at the BBQ :) 

Our patriotic spread at the BBQ :) 

So yummy!  Grateful to all who contributed! 

So yummy!  Grateful to all who contributed! 

I was finally successful in making star shaped rice crispie treats! Now if only I could get the red food coloring to actually look red instead of pink!  (I used 20 drops of red food coloring- guess I should have doubled that??) 

I was finally successful in making star shaped rice crispie treats! Now if only I could get the red food coloring to actually look red instead of pink!  (I used 20 drops of red food coloring- guess I should have doubled that??) 

And when I got sick of making stars.. I pretended that rice crispie treat balls were a thing :)  

And when I got sick of making stars.. I pretended that rice crispie treat balls were a thing :)  

Sitting and visiting under the awesome and huge tarp shade Kyler set up! He also set some fans up which were a nice addition to keep everyone cooled off. 

Sitting and visiting under the awesome and huge tarp shade Kyler set up! He also set some fans up which were a nice addition to keep everyone cooled off. 

Playing some volleyball!  

Playing some volleyball!  

Water fun and chaos!  

Water fun and chaos!  

Rose was all about this slip in slide! Not for its intended purpose of course but she loved crawling all over it and bouncing. :)  

Rose was all about this slip in slide! Not for its intended purpose of course but she loved crawling all over it and bouncing. :)  

I stole this picture from Sarah on FB so the quality got a little wonky but look at this massive bubble Drew made!  

I stole this picture from Sarah on FB so the quality got a little wonky but look at this massive bubble Drew made!  

Decorating fairy doors!  (for boys they were gnome doors :) ) 

Decorating fairy doors!  (for boys they were gnome doors :) ) 

Crafting was a nice break from all of the sun! 

Crafting was a nice break from all of the sun! 

How some of them turned out! So cute :) I made the doors in advance the night before and they were so quick and easy to do! I highly recommend this as an easy craft for kids! 

How some of them turned out! So cute :) I made the doors in advance the night before and they were so quick and easy to do! I highly recommend this as an easy craft for kids! 

And of course it wouldn't be the 4th without my Rachel in law :) 

And of course it wouldn't be the 4th without my Rachel in law :) 

Already getting excited for next year :) it's safe to say we have the best family ever! 

Rosemary's First Birthday!

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Rose turned one on June 5! What a sweet girl she is! 

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She is such a stinkin cutie! Her personality is really starting to show and we just love her so very much!  

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At one year Rosie: 

-weighs 19 1/2 lbs

-can army crawl and real crawl

-is starting to pull herself up on things  

-will walk if you hold her hands and propel her forward, but her legs are kinda like jelly which is pretty adorable. (Think of baby Bambi walking when he's first born!)  

-loves to strum her fingers on her bottom lip to make silly sounds

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 -is always cooing and blowing raspberries

 -loves her big brother and follows him everywhere 

-will bonk heads with you to show her love (watch out- sometimes it's pretty hard and painful! 

-makes the cutest little smirk faces ever  

-will eat pretty much anything! It's basically amazing. 

-sleeps from 8pm to 8:30/9am  

-has finished nursing (had her birthday breakfast and then twice more randomly the following week and then all done!)  

-gives "kisses" by putting her open mouth on your face  

Does she not look like a little cherub from a Renaissance painting?! Kills me!   

Does she not look like a little cherub from a Renaissance painting?! Kills me!   

 Rosie's favorites: 

-snuggling  

-playing with brother

-getting smiled at  

-stone face staring new people while she sizes them up  (she usually does this when she's really tired!) 

-sucking her thumb 

-her bottle of milk at night (starting to transition to solely sippys)  

-swimming  

-sucking on brothers sippys and stealing his snacks

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Dislikes:

-missing naps or going to bed late (she lets you know asap when she's tired)  

-being left in a room by herself (like if I leave to go to the bathroom or something. It does not fly with her!)  

 -going too long without beind held 

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And here are some pictures from her little party! We just celebrated with our little family and it was real simple and sweet. ❤️  

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Her face! "There's no joy here."  

Her face! "There's no joy here."  

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Bestest pals  

Bestest pals  

She's decided that she likes cake!  

She's decided that she likes cake!