Grandma, Bike Rides, Cows, and Frozen (or a random compilation of July)

Our summer is flying by. I really lost a week somewhere this month and looked at the calendar in dismay when I realized there was less than a week left in July. Life is busy and full, and I am thankful for a phone with a camera that catches a few moments here and there. 

We started the month off in the best way possible. Grandma Sharp was here visiting til the 10th. She brought the kids the darling matching outfits above.

My very first ripe tomato came on while grandma was here and we enjoyed several tomato cucumber sandwiches together!

We visited the children's museum with the kids. Addison was obsessed with this car ride.  

Kaden and Taycee have both finally mastered their bikes well enough to go on long family bike rides. I get to pull this precious cargo behind me. 

 I should probably note that Chris offered to pull the girls but I would rather him take up the tail and police the kids.

It has also proven to be a great workout for days I don't make it to the gym. 

It was free chick-fil-a day. All you had to do was dress up like a cow and they gave you a free MEAL. I don't like fast food, at all. But I will always make an exception for Chick-Fil-A. I could eat about 20 of their nuggets.

Chris came home to me cutting out black spots and taping udders. I love him for so many reasons but high on that list is his willingness to subject himself to my craziness. He put on his cow attire with minimal complaint. And when we got 6 free meals and saved 40 dollars I think I even saw a smile. :)

 

Did I mention I love him?

Let's be honest though, the only one who really pulled the cow look off was this cute thing. 

We had an impromptu family night at Busch Gardens. The kids were in heaven and we stayed til way past bed time.  As I watched Taycee and Kaden sitting on the swings with giddy little smiles I had a moment where I thought, "This is magic." I hope in 20 years they look back and remember these magical nights.

Taycee is the orange blob on the far right.

I am currently selling FROZEN dresses, mostly in an effort to build up a Utah vacation fund. I currently have about 70 Elsa Dresses sitting on my dining room table. It's been way more trouble than I ever anticipated.  I did get to create some fun pictures with the girls for advertising purposed however. 

When Taycee saw this on my screen her eyes grew and she looked down at her hands. She then told everyone that when she was in her Elsa dress she could do magic. 

A sister is a forever friend. 

That is a taste of July. Bring on August. 

Let Freedom Ring

I love the 4th of July. I can't think of anything more important than our FREEDOM. The privilege to choose, to dream, and to live. It truly is something worth celebrating! This year was even more awesome because Grandma Sharp flew all the way here to spend the week with us. I truly am blessed to have such incredible family. Seriously, whose grandma flies across the country to spend the week? Mine. I know, she is awesome. 

 We got all dressed up in our Red White and Blue, and headed out to a park in the area that was having "an old fashioned fourth" celebration.

 Matching toes. Clockwise Addi, Brie, Taycee, Me

Addi wasn't having pictures this day. So I mostly got the top of her head.

 I die. Who doesn't just lift their foot to their face to check it out? Seriously, this girl is FLEXIBLE.

Love this handsome feller

 Uncle Sam on stilts, Army Humvee's, a magic show and an actual blacksmith forging metal were the highlights. The girls conversed in their strollers.

Oh these chubby baby feet.

After a BBQ at home we headed out for fireworks. This being our first year we were a little clueless as to where and what was the best. We hit up the city fairground which I think we will opt out of next year. We had to park forever away and it took us almost an HOUR to get home (it should have taken us 10 minutes) Not to mention we forgot to put in a chair for grandma so she had to camp out on the blanket with us the entire 2 hours we were there. She is awesome and toughed it out. 

Just waiting to get things started.

 Kaden did what he always does and made best friends with any kid who would talk to him. They played together til the minute the fireworks started.

The next day we went to the Richmond fireworks which were shot over the James River. INCREDIBLE. I have never in my life seen such a fireworks show! Definitely a must see if you are in driving distance. 

The best part of both fireworks shows had to be Brielle. She LOVED them. She clapped and said OOOOO over every single one. She would squeal with excitement and flap her arms then start clapping again. It made me want to buy 100 more fireworks and shoot them off just for her. 

So grateful for this land of the free and home of the brave. (Especially the brave, I am forever grateful for YOU.)

Let her eat cake

The cake fell moments before it reached her mouth. So what would have been very messy ended quite clean.