Carson helping in the kitchen

This year we decided to try and grow a garden. It has been great, but I think we did a few too many zucchini plants. We can't eat them fast enough. Today I decided to make a bunch of zucchini bread. About half way through I got a phone call and left the kitchen to talk. When I came back about two minutes later this is what I found. Carson had gotten into the butter and it was all over him, the walls, the floor and there was even some on the ceiling. He seemed to think he was really funny. After MANY hours of cleaning (and some crying), I think my kitchen is finally clean.

California

We took a great vacation in San Diego for a week with my family. We went to Sea World, the Wild Animal Kingdom, and the San Diego Zoo. The kids loved seeing all the animals. Carson thought that every animal was a cow. He would "MOO" at everything. At Sea World we got to pet a dolphin, and some star fish. Hallie was the only one of the kids brave enough to touch them. We went to Old Town San Diego and the kids got little guitars. They love playing with them, but they are a little loud for me. We went to the beach several times. Hallie and Joe loved to play in the water. Madilyn and I enjoyed laying in the sun and working on our tans, and Carson took naps in the stroller both times we went. We had a great time and were very thankful to have family there with us to help us keep track of the kids.

Lagoon

My Grandpa and Grandma Oakey took the whole family to Lagoon this year. There were about 35 of us. Hallie tried a few big rides but decided that she would stick with the little kids rides for this year. We survived the heat at the water park and Hallie developed a new love for water slides. Madilyn loved the rides and would have probably gone on the big rides if she were tall enough. Carson stayed with Joes' sister April. With the killer heat and the long lines we were glad he was home with her in the AC. Thanks a ton April!! We all had a great time.

Locks of Love

Hallie has been growing her hair out since she was born. It has been trimmed a few times, but never really been cut. When people meet her, her hair is usually the first thing they comment on. I loved her hair, but she decided it was time for a change. We took off 14 inches. She loves it and although I was kind of sad to see is go, I think she looks super cute. My little girl is growing up. We'll donate the 14 inches we cut to Locks of Love. Maybe some other little girl will love it as much as we did!

4th of July

We has a great 4th of July. We started out the morning at the parade. The kids loved all the candy they got. After the parade we were all dying of heat and decided to go home and swim in the pool. Then we all took a much needed nap and headed down to sit by the river and watch the fireworks. The firework show was great as always.

Island Park and Yellowstone

Last weekend we went to Island Park and Yellowstone for Joes 30th birthday. We had so much fun. We went to Yellowstone for one day and the kids loved seeing all the animals. When we got there it was raining hard. I had brought sweaters for everyone, but no rain coats. Hallie decided to make a raincoat out of a trash bag. She thought it was so cool to wear that she wanted to keep it and use it for dress up at home.

The rest of the weekend we played at a cabin in Island Park. We rode on the 4-wheelers a ton. Hallie even learned to drive them all by herself. After seeing a snake on the path I was done and ready to come back home. We had a great time.

My 28th Birthday

Yesterday was my 28th birthday. Here are a few pictures of my day. Some of my friends took me out to lunch, they are the best. It was so fun to just sit there and talk. When I got back Joe and the kids had decorated the house. They went all out with balloons and streamers all over the place. Joe gave the kids a few choices for my birthday present and let them pick what they wanted to get. They had to choose between a rice cooker and a swimming pool. So, needless to say, I have a new swimming pool. We were so excited to have the pool that we decided to take the afternoon and set it up. About half way through a huge rain storm came in and Joe and I were out in the pouring rain trying to finish. We were soaked and laughing at how funny we looked. As soon as we were done and got things all cleaned up the rain stopped and the sun came out. We went in and cleaned up and Joe took me out to a great dinner. The kids and I tried the pool out today with some friends and it was great.