First foods

 Just like his brother and sister, when it came time to try some "real" food, Carter took it down like a champ! All of my kids have been, and are, big eaters! As you can tell by their chunky baby pictures, they like their food. Its always funny to feed them their first tastes of "real" food because they just aren't really sure what's going on. They get it everywhere and all over themselves but they love it.

"Is that all I get!!!!!"

 "Hurry up, its not brain surgery!!" The bib is just too perfect :)

Luau for Kennedy's birthday

 We had a water/luau party for Kennedy's 2nd birthday. Up until about 30 minutes before the party, it was raining. But the sun came out right before party time.

Thanks Papa K and KK for coming to my party and for helping with all the yummy food!! Papa K's brisket sandwiches were a party hit once again!

 The birthday girl!

 "Kennedy's burtday!"

 Its not an Auschwitz birthday party without the pinata!

This is what I remembered about 3/4 of the way through the party! Glad we had some late arrivals that helped clean out the food!

Carter man enjoying Sis's party

Mommy and Sis's matching toes!

Kennedy is 2!!

 Our little Sassy pants is 2! Its so cliche but I can't believe it! This little princess has brought so much joy into our lives and I just can't wait to see all the things God has planned for her. She is such a ray of sunshine. When she walks into a room, its fun to just watch her walk over to each and every person and just win them over with her little charm! She knows how to work a room like no 2 year old, or anyone really, I've ever seen. She loves to say hi and wave with a smile to every person walking by. But don't let that sweet smile fool you, she's got her own little sas to her! She's tough enough to hold her own, especially when it comes to her big brother!! She has Brother, as well as mommy, daddy and the list goes on and on. wrapped around her little fingers!
I just love birthdays. Anyone who doesn't is just crazy! So of course, we like to make them a big deal. Because it really is your day! Everyone is celebrating the day, this world was blessed to meet you! All the excitement that day brought, is remembered and relived. We celebrate another year we were blessed to watch you grow. Another year full of kisses, hugs and lots of laughs. Being a mom can be challenging of course, but it is full of more happy and fun memories than anyone could ever count. I hope my kids will always cherish their birthdays and remember how special I always tried to make their big day!

This year Kennedy woke up to a room full of balloons and streamers. When she saw them she immediately asked for her birthday hat! She was grinning from ear to ear and she instantly knew today was all about her. In fact she was saying it was her "Burtday" for a few weeks, maybe even a month after!

MiMi always had candles in our breakfast, whether it was a pop tart, toaster strudel, pancake, muffin... it always had candles accompanied by singing happy birthday! We are carrying on that tradition! (Ask Nanner, we set off the smoke alarm on her birthday a few years back :))

 Caleb was so proud and excited that it was Sis's birthday. He would tell anyone walking by or everyone we passed on the way to school, that is was his "Sissy pants'" birthday!

YaBe's card had its own little birthday tiara with it. Perfect for our birthday princess.

 Here was MiMi's "Birthday" card.

 Kennedy cooking dinner in her new kitchen!

 Happy birthday Mommy's little princess! I love you more than you could ever know. I love watching you grow up but really wish you would slow down! I am so blessed to be your Mommy. Always know I love you with ALL my heart!

 

This is also a tradition in our family. i got the early morning call from my mom on my birthday singing it to me. It dates back to Kendall's third birthday. She was the birthday princess at Disney world. She was so obnoxious about her birthday that the next day all we could say all day long was "its not your birthday its not your birthday!!"

 

Teddy bear parade

 They always have fun activities planned for the kids at school. Around 4th of July, they do a teddy bear parade. My kids were so excited to decorate their floats and pull their favorite little animals around their school.  As we were waiting for them to march on by, some of the other moms and I were laughing about how the silliest things are just so fun and exciting for them. Caleb has gotten a little attached to this random blue bunny. Not so much that he has to have it to sleep or anything but it just makes it a little nicer when he remembers to get him to cuddle with. We think its so funny because he was so many cute little stuffed animals and hes stuck on this random bunny. His ear was burned on the stove (Caleb just wanted to see what would happen) and has been stitched up and hes dingy and dirty but Caleb loves him. So when I asked what animal he wanted to take, there was not even a hesitation. Because Brother was bringing his bunny, he talked Sis into bringing hers too. Not Tiger or Baby doll that she loves so much (she does have to have them to go to sleep!!). So Carter and I loaded up and waited patiently in the hall to watch our two little cuties walk through pulling their decorated floats with their bunnies :)

4th of July

Fourth of July is always fun because we have the resident's cookout at the Sorenson's house filled with great food, swimming, tennis and fun. The kids snuck inside to get away from the heat and found the drum set! Chasing around two kids and watching Carter these are the only pictures I got.

Tyler wanted me to send this picture to Dianna to show her his awesome outfit. Thank goodness he didn't actually wear them :)

We have always heard about the Fourth of July parade a few neighborhoods down but haven't ever made it. So this year we convinced our neighbors to come with us to check it out.

Carter man was getting his first ride in the wagon. He's just getting way to big!

The Hubbard and Auschwitz crews!

The firetruck came and sprayed a massive waterfall for the kids to run around in.. Guess who was screaming, running and loving it!

 

We had a great time. Next year we will be decorating the wagons and bikes and walking in the parade too.