Summer Photo Dump...

Over the course of the summer, I took thousands of pictures on my phone and cameras. Here are a few that never made the blog. Enjoy!

Just getting started

Playing house

Playdate with Bryce!

No rain means lots of watering :)

It rained once...

Celebrating 5 wonderful years!

Hanging out at the courts

Sundays are the best!

Accepting her award at gymnastics :)

Carwash

Build-A-Bear with Aunt Bran!

SUMMER IS OVER AND SCHOOL HAS BEGUN!

So, stay tuned for the exciting events that accompany the new school year.

Time Flies...

One of the biggest events of the summer came a few weeks ago when Greg and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary.

What a blessing! I am so blessed that my GOD loves me so much that he blessed me with so much more than I could ever deserve.

In the past 5 years, we have moved 4 times, bought two houses, welcomed an amazingly sweet and beautiful baby girl, traveled to beautiful and exciting places in the United States and Mexico, and grown so much closer and fallen more in love with each sunrise.

With each new year there are new challenges and countless blessings.

I am so excited and dreaming of what's in store for us in the next 50 years!

Summer Heat!

Won't let it slow us down!

Just suck it up and brave the heat...

Or, set up a water slide and let the kid, I mean Greg, play for hours :)

Every mom knows that kids can get bored during the summer so we were quick to jump on an opportunity to host Em'ry's BFF, Hailie for a couple of weeks while my parents took a motorcycle trip.

They don't look happy, do they?

We couldn't spend all of our time outside so we found fun activities indoors.

My little artists!

Dress up!

Bowling fun!

Miss Independent!

How awesome is the ramp?

And, if all else fails there are always games on the IPad/Iphone :)

And, when they get tired of coloring, cartoons, and computer games, its back to the water...

Em'ry is gaining confidence under water!

Feeding the ducks in the bayou!

Nana came to pick up Hailie and spent a few days with us which made Em'ry super excited!

I could definitely get used to having two kids around :) The girls entertained each other, slept together, and fought like sisters all week! It was crazy and I loved it!

There were some other big events that occured in the past two weeks but we'll have to save that for another post! Stay tuned! And, stay cool!

She's BAAACCCCKKKK!!!!

And, bigger than ever! Oh my gosh. My girl grows like a weed ever time she leaves my sight. Em'ry had a blast in Booker and just to prove it I randomly received pictures like these...

Now that's a crowded bed!

Ice cream to calm tears after leaving the Liberal Water Park :)

I just knew she would never want to come home. I mean, she didn't even want to talk to me on the phone :( But, I'd rather her have fun than be homesick. I'm sure it helped that there are no rules at Nana's house, she always has a playmate in Hailie, and she can stay up until midnight if she wants. Not to mention that she came back asking for foods I would never give her like Hamitizer (mayo sandwich) and bologna lol...


I met my mom, Jana, and Hailie in Ft. Worth to get Em'ry back and spend some time with Cassie, Jalen, and the new baby Jackson.

Em'ry, Jalen, and Hailie

Jackson Charles Pope

That was a week ago and this is what we've been up to lately...
Brazos Bend State Park:

Photo opportunity on our hike around the swamp!

Alligator viewing from the dock!

Old School playground at the campsite!

Around the house:

Blow-up Waterslide we found for 50% off at Kroger! Totally worth it!

Food, Family, and Fireworks!

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

We had so much fun spending time with family over the recent holiday weekend. The heat sent the kids straight to the pool which gave us time to hang out and visit.

Kayley, Hailie, Em'ry, and Amir

We usually make a trip to Booker for the 4th of July since we are on summer vacation but burn bans resulted in cancelled fireworks shows and no chance for s'mores. Take a look at this pic of Em'ry from this time last year...

my how things change in a year!
Blair and Em'ry July 4th, 2010

So we hung out here and enjoyed the pool, cooked out, watched fireworks, and made a trip to the zoo.

My parents recently celebrated their 32nd Wedding Anniversary and we took them to dinner to celebrate and thank them for being such and amazing example of unconditional love.
Waiting on a table

P.S. My dad doesn't dress up :)

Em'ry has been begging to go to my parents and she didn't want us to tag along :( Every time she would talk to my mom on the phone she would say, "pleeeaaaase come get me!" which was normally followed by tears. So, we let her go. My mom is crazy to take this crew on! Matching shirts to make sure no one gets lost!

Update on her trip coming soon....