"Flag Day"- The Parade

Marin calls 4th of July "Flag Day" and we had a great one this year. Flag day is becoming one of my favorites. A fun summer holiday with parades and cook outs. I'm not a huge fan of fireworks but hey, they are pretty even if they are loud. We had Betsy, Kate, and Carsie in for the weekend which is always wonderful. I really want our fourth of July time together to become a tradition!! The kids played so well with one another and I just want those little cousin friendships to keep on growing. So, so cute. But here are some pictures from the weekend.

Happy Half Birthday, Marin!

Marin has a tricky birthday. Since we aren't going to have a friend party two days after Christmas or any time in December and/or January (I'm still exhausted in January....), we decided (after surveying several December baby mommas) to celebrate on her half birthday. It actually worked out really, really well. So, for now, this will be the tradition for her friend parties. And this year she wanted a "water party". Our sweet neighbors were so kind to let us use their pool for the party. Marin loved it and had such a sweet time. She had been marking down the days on the calendar since June 1, so she was a bit excited about the day. Happy Half Birthday, Marin! We love you! 

Passing out water guns to her friends. She loved this part. 

He squirted his dad first.
Payback, sweet David. 

Will and Sam were our only neighbor friends in town. So glad they could come over.
(See Hollis in the background....she guarded the cupcakes the whole party. :o)

Emily, the only adult without a swim suit, jumped in to save an almost  drowner. 

Happy Birthday time.
Loved it. 

 Present time. 

Loved this, of course. 

I LOVED all the hand made cards and wrapping paper. So sweet. 

In fact, Marin slept with her hand made card from sweet friend, Brooke just last night. Ha! 

 Marin got some Frozen dress up clothes from Hollis. 

They had to try some of the dresses and jewelry on! 

Summer Fun

This summer is flying by and clearly, I have gotten a little behind on the blog. Can't believe it's already July. Completely skipped June on here. Well, here are some June pictures.....

We have some rainy days here this summer. So,  I tucked away some rainy day stuff to do....like bead necklaces and bracelets. :o) Look at the concentration. 

We have done a lot of science-y activities too this summer.....tend to the garden, observe and ant farm, and....make a snail habitat. The snails were slimy and creepy but you had to keep watching them when they moved around. Pretty neat. 

We had a water day play date with our good neighbor friend, Makenna! They got ice cream cones too. ;o)

On another rainy day, a pirate left a treasure map and a hidden treasure.....

Still looking for the treasure....

Found it!!

They each painted their treasure chests and we played treasure map a billion more times. 

Bear and Honey came for a visit and gave the girls matching 4th of July dresses. We loved them. Marin had to put hers on immediately and "do a bow".