Birthdays, Cookouts, Swimming & Backyard Fun

I can't say enough wonderful words about the end of summer 2014. It was chalk full of friends, family, babies, fun, sun, swimming and birthdays. Lots and lots and LOTS of birthdays! Here's a rundown of our end of the summer shenanigans.....

The Mills, Starbucks, Hymans, Logans, Fords and Fannings had a ball celebrating Erica and Riley's birthdays. Linsday made a cake fitting for both of them....

 

Kristen welcomed our crazy crew out to her house and the women snuggled babies and talked....

....while the guys took off with a truck full of guns and ammo for some shooting practice....

Hal and the girls took a big bubble bath, sang karaoke and watched movies over the course of the evening. I felt like a teenager staying out late that night considering my bedtime was fairly early around that time since Bella wasn't yet sleeping through the night. I might mention that my wimpy version of being a teenager was around 10:30. Ha! 

We spent a fun evening at our house with the Barbys, Vaps and Rogers for an end of the summer cookout. Jai was about to pop with baby Blair and these babies were just patiently awaiting the arrival of their soon-to-be friend.....

The big kiddos ate out on the back porch....

The dads somehow managed to snag spots at the table inside where it wasn't 100 degrees while us moms kept watch on the wild hooligans running around the backyard. The men played that one well, I must hand it to them. We had a relaxing evening with some wonderful friends. It's fun doing life with people who get you and love you!

Hallie Grace got in more than her fair share of time in the sun wearing out her swimsuits and splashing with friends in the backyard and at the waterpark.....

One particularly fun afternoon we subjected Bella to her first cold water experience.....

She cringed at first....

And then screamed....

And then loved it and passed out in the duck....

Hal thinks she's too cool for school when Lily is around....

Oh wait. Nevermind. That's all the time....

She was thrilled to run into Miss Josie....

God Bless Lauren! She took Hallie off my hands one afternoon so the girls could have some fun at the waterpark...

 

Nanny made a habit of also taking Hal to swim toward the end of season. This picture sums up how she felt about this summer....

 

Our Sunday school class offspring posed for a sweet picture at Hallie Vap's birthday party in August. I have a feeling we will be digging this one out years down the road to show them....

 

More summer fun continued........

 

Swimming at Deedee's

Aunt Deedee and Uncle Lonnie invited us girls over for some pool fun one summer evening. It'd been way too long since Hallie and Aaron had been together so the kiddos were excited. We'd missed this cool cat.....

  

I stayed out of the pool to spare everyone the sight of me in a bathing suit but Hal didn't seem to miss my presence one bit. She loves Aunt Deedee.....

The kiddos tossed the ball around with plenty of help from the grownups but Hal was pleased as punch to realize that she was able to touch the floor....

Little Miss Content laid on the table in the shade taking in the splashing and laughing sounds....

It wasn't long before she resorted to doing what she does best....

After our swim date we picked up dinner for Meme and played at her house for a bit.....

She was overjoyed to see her newest lil one. Bella was so interactive with her. She made plenty of eye contact and was obvious she felt happy to be in her Meme's arms....

Family time is the best time. :)

Gman's Birthday Dinner

Another year celebrating with dad is yet another reason to praise God for his abundant love and mercy. He remains free of cancer and feeling better than ever. And for that we couldn't be more thankful. We had a big reason to celebrate! We all gathered in Enid for a fun night of baby smiles, laughs, BBQ and cake. Bella couldn't afford a gift this year so she saved up a bunch of smiles for her Gman.....

 

This 56-year-old is pretty good at acting like a four-year-old when Hallie Grace comes to town....

Hal returned the favor by creating a VERY SPECIAL- and might I add creative - birthday cake for her Gman. I love the way her brain works.....

Check out those gigantic candles!

We all met Aunt B's new doggy names Rod. He's a pretty cool dude. And a cooperative dude....

Gman blew out two sets of candles that night. And then we chowed down on the peanut butter deliciousness.....

We love this birthday Gman so.....

Carmen Turns 3!

It doesn't seem possible that Miss Carmen Jo Shirley is 3! 

I swear it was just yesterday that Katie was sitting on our porch in the August heat talking about how she was desperately hoping to go into labor soon. These sweet girls keep on growing up and we keep on celebrating. I wonder if they would stop getting older on us and growing into big girls if we stopped having parties? Hey, it's a thought!

Carmen had a cookout at Boiling Springs with a bunch of her little friends and their parents. The kiddos played on the playground while the adults talked (and tried to stay cool in the shade). This little lady snuggled with quite a few faces that evening....

Carmen was so cute opening her presents....such enthusiasm and excitement with each gift. She partied hard!!!