4th of July 2011

Our local park is only a block away and each year they have a nice firework display along with a live band. We are so lucky that we live so close by. No walking, no fighting the crowds, no sweltering in the heat. Nope. We enjoyed everything from the comfort of our front yard.

Aren't these camp chairs adorable? Got them on sale at Target a few weeks ago.

Carmen got a really nice bicycle for Christmas but has outgrown it already! Grrrr. My hubby picked this one up from the Goodwill for $12. What a great bike. Its near new and Carmen loves it!

And just look at my little guy Eli. He is 16 months old already. Where does the time go?

Hope all of you enjoyed your 4th of July weekend.

Lowes shopping carts

Lowe's has the coolest shopping carts for kids. Here's a double-seater with 2 steering wheels. Makes for 2 very happy youngsters.

Goodbye Sweet Gum Tree

Here is our Sweet Gum Tree in all its glory.

This was the only tree in our backyard. It was so beautiful and gave us great afternoon shade but it also dropped 'gumballs' at all times of the year. Imagine stepping on one of these in your bare footies. Not a pleasant feeling!

So this is how our backyard looks now. We still have 3 small pine trees and they may get bigger, stronger and healthier now that the gum tree is gone. Our grass may even get thicker, too.

Eagle

Another trip to the Memphis Zoo this week. I couldn't help but feel sorry for this majestic bird locked away in a large cage enclosure. But isn't he beautiful?

The Northwest Passage exhibit is gorgeous. I especially love all of these quotes that are engraved in stone. Unfortunatly, this is the only one I took a picture of. Next time I will get them all.

Hot pipes

The temperatures here have been in the high 90's for the past 2 weeks and I try to keep everyone hydrated as much as possible. But sometimes a cats gotta do what a cats gotta do even if that means drinking out of the kids blow-up pool.

Another day at the Memphis Zoo

Its Friday again and almost 100'... welcome summer, right? Well, we can only stand to be cooped up in the house for so long on hot days so I loaded the kids up in the car and we headed to the zoo again. Got there early and got out early.

First stop...the 'Animals Of The Night' exhibit...or what Carmen calls 'The Bat Cave.' We love this exhibit for 2 reasons. 1) the air conditioning and 2) the really neat animals inside. Porcupine, armadillo, sloth, bats, beetles, and a few really rare creatures from South America. Wish I could have gotten some good pics of the animals but its just too dark inside.

I did manage to get a good shot of Carmen and Eli enjoying themselves... and the creatures.

Our next stop was the new 'Birds & Bees' exhibit which just opened last week. We walked in and were overwhelmed with the amount of parakeets inside. Carmen even got to feed one from a stick. She just held the stick (which had a clump of bird seed on one end) up in the air and a parakeet swooped right down and landed on it. Pretty cool.

And whats cooler than a bird landing on your stick? Two birds landing on your stick!

Our last stop of the day was 'Teton Trek' which is the home to 3 grizzly bears, a small pack of white wolves and some elk. The lodge is very impressive. It is a much smaller replica of Yellowstone Lodge. We sat down inside and watched kids play in the fountain outside while we cooled off and enjoyed our sack lunch.

The great thing about going to the zoo is that we bought a yearly membership pass, so we can go anytime we want and just see a few exhibits each day. Next time we will see the Polar Bear and Sea Lions.

Tie Dye in the park

Every Friday in May there is this thing called 'Fun In The Sun' where the city puts on a free craft and music in the park. Last Friday was Tie-Dye day where we each brought in a plain white t-shirt and did our own tie-dye. Lots of fun for the kids. Carmen and Paige show off their works of art.

Just look at all the cute shirts hanging up to dry!

Cooling off

Its the middle of May but here in the Mid-South summer is upon us. Luckily the blow up pool from last year didn't spring any holes while it was in its winter slumber in the attic.

Zoo trip wears out a baby

We met up with some friends at the Memphis Zoo yesterday.

Carmen had a blast seeing the animals and our zoo trips aren't complete until she gets a carousel ride and an ice cream.

Unfortunately we had to leave a little early because Eli has been running a fever the past days and he was done. Even zonked out on the car ride home. Poor little guy.

Happy Halloween

Halloween Pretzels

These Pretzels are so easy to make! Simply melt some chocolate chips in a microwave oven - melt for about 20 seconds, then take them out and give them a stir, and continue melting every 20 seconds or so until the mixture is gooey.

Now take your pretzels or pretzel sticks, dip them into your hot, gooey chocolate, then immediately dip into some pretty sprinkles. Now lay them onto a cookie sheet lined with wax paper and let 'em cool. For faster cooling, pop the whole thing into the fridge for a few minutes. YUM!

You can use white chocolate chips as well.

Yesterday was officially the 1st day of fall. Fall not only includes leaves turning brilliant colors of reds, oranges and yellows and weather turning cool but it also means the start of football.

I am not a Denver Broncos bandwagon jumper just because Tebow joined the team. I have been a Broncos fan since the 1st time I laid eyes on John Elway...1986. Even though he and most of his teammates have long retired, I remain now, and always will be a Broncos fan! Now lets get out there and win!

Carmens 1st Day of Daycare!

My baby started her 1st day of Daycare today. She goes two days a week this year. She didnt have any problems this morning. We walked into her classroom, put her backpack and lunchbox away and she was off and playing with the other kids. I stuck around for a few minutes so that I could talk to her teachers and they assured me that everything would be fine. Before I left I called Carmen over and gave her a hug and kiss and she told me she loved me. It was so sweet (I'm already starting to tear up at just the thought of it).

I am back home now with little Eli and the house is so quiet without Carmen here. Ive been telling myself for months that once she starts school I will be able to get all kinds of work done, lets hope that happens.

I miss you Carmen. We are so proud of you!

Happy 3rd Birthday Carmen!

We started our day with a big plate of pancakes topped with bananas and whipped cream. YUM!

A birthday isn't complete without presents!

Happy Birthday Carmen, we love you!

Happy 7th Anniversary

7 years ago today we were standing barefoot on a Hawaiian beach saying our vows. Happy anniversary Andy - I love you! Muuahhh