Luke's 7th Birthday

One big event that I have missed blogging about was Luke's 7th birthday!  Luke turned 7 on June 22nd, and we celebrated with a party at Nothing But Bounce. 

The theme was Angry Birds.

Homemade chocolate cupcakes with buttercream frosting.

It was like 100 degrees in the gym.  The boys got sweaty!!

What a cutie pie!

Singing 'Happy Birthday' to the Birthday Boy!

Do you see the look on his face??  Priceless!!

That was for the Nintendo DS that Mommy and Daddy got for him.  He'd only asked for one for about a year now and he had NO idea he was actually getting one!

And then of course, since we were dressed up, we took advantage of the photo op!

I couldn't get the Birthday Boy to sit still for a pic.

And one final note on the location:  I wouldn't necessarily recommend Nothing But Bounce for your party.  While it's definitely cheaper than the other Bouncy places in town, there is no time between parties for set up/ break down.  I arrived 15 minutes early in hopes of setting up prior to party time.  When I walked in, I was quickly informed by the current party that they had 15 more minutes.  So we were forced to stand out in the hot sun until their party ended.  Other Bouncy party locations have instructions for the kids, you sign waivers and a worker stays in the room and watches the kids play.  Not here.  No instruction.  No waiver.  No help.  AND, NO air conditioning.  Sure, it's inside, but when it's 100 degrees outside with no air conditioning inside and the kids are all running around inside big plastic blow ups, well, it gets a little warm.  I guess you get what you pay for.  Ok - off my soap box now.  You've been warned!  :)

Drive In Movie Night

Despite the crazy hot temperatures, we thought it would be fun to watch a movie outside.  So we packed up and headed to the Parkway Theatre in Maryville.

(Yes, you read that correctly - 107 degrees outside.  That was about 5pm on Friday June 29th.  And no, my car wasn't sitting in the hot sun right before I took that picture.  It was actually parked in the parking garage all day.  When I turned the car on, it said 90 degrees and warmed up to 107 by the time I got home!!!)

All set up and ready to watch the movie.

The movie doesn't start until "dark", which at this time of the year is more like 9:30pm.  So if you take kids, be prepared!

We packed camping chairs, a blanket, pillows and jammies to change into when the movie started.  We also brought dinner, drinks and toys for the kids. I packed bug spray too, but surprisingly didn't need it at all.

The first movie wasn't over til after 11pm.  Lucy was asleep the minute we put her in the carseat.  The second movie started around 11:20pm, which was 'Snow White and the Huntsmen', but I wasn't about to stick around to watch it.

I said "Cheese", and this was the face I got.

This was our view.

So if you haven't been to a drive-in movie, I highly recommend it.  We had a really good time!

I wasn't super crazy about the new Pixar movie, 'Brave', though.  I thought it was lacking the depth that 'Toy Story' and 'The Incredibles' have.  I could watch those two movies over and over and over again.  'The Incredibles' never gets old. I don't see me ever wanting to watch 'Brave' again.

I found this review from another Blogger about why she didn't like 'Brave', and I really think she said it best.  I couldn't agree more:

http://prettywittycheerful.blogspot.com/2012/06/why-i-didnt-like-brave.html

Kiddos

It's no secret I love photography, and one of my favorite things to do is take pictures of my kids.  Usually, though, it's the normal candid-type shots with food on their face or them just being silly.  Rarely do I get the opportunity to take frame-worthy portraits.

On this particular weekend, we were visiting Cleveland and happened to have a few minutes before church started.  That's where I snapped these photos.  I've already framed a few, and even had one blown up on canvas.  Hope you enjoy!!  Let me know which one is your favorite.

And, I would LOVE to take photos of your kids too, if you'll let me.  :)

Lucy's 2nd Birthday

Still trying to catch up with my Blogs.  Lucy celebrated her 2nd birthday on May 29, 2012.  Hard to believe two short years ago, she entered the world 16 weeks early at only 1 pound 9 ounces.  Here is her very first picture:

5.29.10

That's Greg's thumb holding her tiny foot.  6.3.10

6.16.10

 

6.24.10

Fast forward two years and you'd never have known she was a preemie just by looking at her.

Sure, she's still a little small for her age.  And sure, she's not talking yet.  But I have every confidence she is going to catch up.  She's just going to do it on her own time.

Mimi got her a doll for her birthday.

Pa, Va and Martha

The typical cookout - hamburgers, hotdogs, potato salad, baked beans, etc.

Do you sense a strawberry theme??

These are homemade strawberry cupcakes with a strawberry merangue-type of frosting, courtesy Sandra Lee.  Found the recipe here.  Except I didn't really follow the recipe that well.  I used strawberry cake mix instead of white.  And I didn't add the oil or the corn syrup.  So they were semi-healthy.  :)

YUM!

Messy girl.

Lucy with her Great Grandfather and Great Virginia.

Then we headed outside for some sprinkler action!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Lucy!! 

 I am so glad you rocked my world two years ago.  My life was not complete without you in it!!