Porch Fun

My friend is having a wedding reception at her cute home so she let me makeover her front porch. I was super nervous to see if she would like what I did and I didn't let her see any of it until I was finished. It felt like Extreme Home Makeover on a much MUCH smaller scale. :) It was a blast, I got to shop and not spend my own money :). Here are some before and afters for fun.

Visit to Saren's House

Lauri and her crew were in town so we spent a lot of time letting the cousins hang out and having plenty of girl talk. :D Saren invited us all down to her adorable home and we went for a walk to feed the ducks. It is so fun to see how big our crew is. The kids had a blast on their grand adventure. We didn't see too many ducks but it didn't matter. Sticks and snakes and snow in July = fun cousin memories. And going back to Saren's house for much needed snow cones and popsicles capped off a great visit. Thanks for having us Saren!

Straight Hair

I know you've all wondered ... ;D

Watching the Stadium of Fire Fireworks 2011

We love going to our favorite spot to watch the fireworks every year. This year was extra fun because we had 3 aunts, 2 cousins and an uncle share it with us. In spite of the heat and glow chalk that didn't glow we still had a good time. Tucker made a tie out of glow sticks and Luka wore a crown. We ate junk food until we were sick and had a good time. The fireworks were beautiful this year- loved the waterfall ones. And of course, my favorite part, the jets flying over.

Freedom Festival Balloons 2011

We love the balloons! Clay loves the American themed balloons, Luka loves anything with pink, and Tuck loved the Darth Vader balloon this year. There were a lot of Star Wars characters mingling in the crowd which was awesome. Getting your picture taken with a storm trooper?...super cool! :D And the highlight of our trip? - when Clay came out of the port-a-potty with a tooth in his hand. How many people lose a tooth in a port-a-potty? Yep.

The Land of Liberty

by Author Unknown

I love my country's pine-clad hills,
Her thousand bright and gushing rills,
Her sunshine and her storms;
Her rough and rugged rocks, that rear
Their hoary heads high in the air
In wild, fantastic forms.

I love her rivers, deep and wide,
Those mighty streams that seaward glide
To seek the ocean's breast;
Her smiling fields, her pleasant vales,
Her shady dells, her flow'ry dales,
The haunts of peaceful rest.

I love her forests, dark and lone,
For there the wild bird's merry tone
I hear from morn till night;
And there are lovelier flowers, I ween,
Than e'er in Eastern lands were seen,
In varied colors bright.

Her forests and her valleys fair,
Her flowers that scent the morning air--
All have their charms for me;
But more I love my country's name,
Those words that echo deathless fame,
"The Land of Liberty."

What is Success
Ralph Waldo Emerson

To laugh often and love much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the approval of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To give of one’s self;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;
To have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived…
This is to have succeeded.