Fireworks

Hello there.

I hope everyone had a fantastic Fourth of July.

As you can see we had quite the crowd.

It was awesome having so many of our close friends and family over for dinner and fireworks. We made a fire and hung out while Jeff and Dusty 'wow-d' us with their pyrotechnical abilities...

Really. It was kinda scarey. At one point I think a few of us thought we were going to be made sparklers when the tube fell over and the fireworks for coming RIGHT at us!

Some of the best parts were having all the babies! Lil Man, Patrick was the youngest at 10 days old. He was SO cute. Just tiny and curly and sleepy.

Leah and Abbi got to hang out again. It was so cute. They loved the mobile and cooed and smiled at the birdies. :)

Fischer and Ayla watching the fireworks. It was so late, but all the kids did a great job!

Check out the pile of shoes at the front door! I thought it looked hilarious. And most ppl were outside at this time.... it was a good time with good friends!

West Baden Gardens

I can't help it. I told you I like to match my family... with that out of the way. I also love to take pictures of my family. The weather was amazing the whole trip. But one night in particular it was so perfect! We went to the WB gardens and walked around before ice cream treats.

Waterpark & Bowling

So... I rolled into Washington just in time to lay my eldest in her bed for a nap and my youngest on the floor for some play time. Since then I have sorted mail, unpacked the car, and caught up on Jon & Kate- the teardown. (So ridiculous.)

Just rocked Leah asleep and thought I would download some pics for your enjoyment. I have SO many. I don't like slideshows. So I will just highlight a few of my faves throughout our days.

Anyone who knows my Ay, knows she is very cautious. But she broke out of her shell and had a blast at the water park. We went twice. Once with family and once with all her playgroup friends.

Ridge and Ayla

Mamaw & Papaw Owens

on the lazy river-but it was not so lazy. You get WET!

My lazy baby. She did lots of this. And we wer ok with that :)

Ay's first time bowling. She loved it (at first).

2 year old attention span = 2 frames of bowling

Family time

Yesterday was another great day with my family. The girls and I are enjoying some more Daddy time. :) Jeff got to play golf, which is a rare treat for him. The girls and I enjoyed some sun and fun at the pool.



After a great steak dinner we went for a long walk thru the gardens at the West Baden Hotel. This is another historic site in the area. It is absolutely amazing. At one point in time it was the 8th world wonder because of its domed structure. I didn't take any pictures of the dome tonight. Instead we went through the gardens. They are all part of the original layout, with cemetary, fountains, bridges, and buildings still stand.



Ayla loved running through the flowers and being free of crowds and having to hold our hands! ha She is such a sweet girl and we have been so proud of her lately. She seems so grown up sometimes.



Leah is so social and smilely. She warms my heart. Defintely a Mama's girl, she will lean in toward me when I talk to her letting me know she wants me to hold her. She has been great this whole trip even though she is battling allergies.

Blogger here is too slow to uopload pics. I have so many I want to share!! You will have to be paitent...

Great Start to our trip...

I am blogging to you from our annual family trip in French Lick. Some of you guys know, Jeff and I bought a villa here the year before we married. Jeff's family has been coming here the same week since he was a boy. So we bought the same week so as our family grew we could all be together. And good thing because as you know our family recently grew. We are really happy to have a place of our own to relax, especially with our girls.



So here we are.....



The first weekend we are down is always the brother time. Jeff has three brothers and they all have kid(s). In the past we've gone boating, but this year it was the new water park in French Lick. Big Splash Adventure.



It was AWESOME. I suggest it to anyone. :) No pics Because I am on vacation. Ayla is asleep, Leah is happy, and Im going to cuddle with my hubby!



Hopefully, more happiness to share with you later this week. Lots of fun stuff planned.

Thankful Thursday

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118: 23-25

My Favorite Things

I hope the title didn't put that song into your head... cuz if it did- you wouldn't be able to get it out. And the hills would be Alive with music. Really.

Anyways, packing for vacations is always stressful for me. I try to be very organized with pretty much anything I do. I tend to pack a week in advance. I double check and recheck. However, it always ends up that I wish I had brought a different dress, shirt, or camera cord.

This time I am SURE I got my absolute Fav-o-rite things packed.

What else would I need?

Really?

On other news... My little prissy is a potty training fool. She does so well. She's pretty much dare I say it trained on #1. We've had very few accidents, very few. We've been lucky. She's gone out a these past couple days in panties and we've had No accidents out. I would knock on wood, if I believed in luck. Which I don't. But, poos. Another story. She has done it on the big girl potty. But, I think its a bit strange for her? I can't quite put my finger on it. (and that would be gross) But, we're getting there. She tells us Right after #2's emerge... little to late sister.

Ok. I am sure you're glad you read all the vital information. But, its for the books.