friday.

i am ready for the weekend, only i wish it were not already friday, july 27th! i heard an advertisement on the radio last week about school supplies, and i registered Andrew for
pre-K this week. am i the only momma in denial that summer is flying by way too fast?!? i want more time!!!!! more time to play with my kiddos, more time when all of our family is in the same place at the same time and more time
to get projects done!

Have a GREAT Weekend!

xoxo

my birthday...

My birthday was packed with goodness.
To celebrate, my amazing family took me to dinner
@ Oumami Japanese Restaurant and the sushi was
delicious - i recommend the Russellville Roll

i love that Andrew is old enough to go out to dinner
with us and actually enjoy it! My little cuddle bug is growing up into such a BIG boy! He was telling jokes and seriously cracking us all up. He definitely is the life of the party!

 

*** 

 In the middle of dinner, i looked at my beautiful daughter,

vivacious son and handsome husband and just smiled.
I don’t know why but for whatever reason GOD blessed with this incredible family full of love & I am extremely grateful!

XOXO

    

burn ban...

Slightly bummed – this is the first year ever with

 no fireworks on the 4th! I checked the forcast and it looks like the high is 103 the rest of the week.

I think we all need to go outside & do a rain dance

As you know from HERE I love fireworks just as much as my kids do. I could go broke making trips to the fireworks stand and this year... I haven't been once!

Praying GOD sends us rain soon -  I know the local farmers  as well as everyone else could really use some.

We are still having our 4th of July Party this weekend!

I am trying to decide what to bring - maybe one of these  yummy treats!

 oh my stars

 snowcone paper filled with berries

frozen grapes

super duper delicious trifle.

 {white chocolate pudding. yummmm}

recipe

banana boats - my kids love putting together their own

mix and throwing them on the grill.

Hope you all have a Safe & Happy 4th!

SIZZLIN HOT

Not sure how much more of this Arkansas weather I can handle… I am trying to talk Jeremy into moving somewhere cold but he's not obliging - maybe one day.

Until then - we have been finding ways to stay cool.

Our favorite so far - water balloon fights!

coconut snowcones, watermelon sprites & homemade

orange crush ice cream helps too!

 XOXO

Father's Day 2012.

We cherish our daddy. He works so hard and takes such good care of us. I love all the little things he does –he truly loves his babies & it melts my heart. Sweetest daddy ever.
we are so lucky.

I stayed home with Andrew on Wednesday & he helped me make this "man bucket" for his daddy - he is a GREAT helper, the only problem is he's not patient. He could not wait until Father's Day...  Jeremy got his gift the minute

he walked through the door!

Adrianna & Papa George doing what they love

best - playing Concentration! I am blessed that my children have special men in thier lives, and were able to celebrate their goodness this past weekend.

xoxo

GNO

my mother, sister & i decided it was time
for a Girls Night Out!

We packed up the 4-runner Saturday morning and headed to Branson MO. The drive was half the fun - i laughed so hard!

 We shopped at Branson Landing and had dinner HERE. Dinner was, hmmm – let say, a little entertaining!

 

After dinner, we lounged @ the pool 

Around 11 p.m. my sister was ready for some excitement... she talked me into going on the sky coaster with her. They harnessed us up & pulled us up 100 feet in the air. Once they said "3-2-1 FLY!!" I had to yank the ripcord to start our 70-mph swingng adventure.

It was so scary - keep in mind I am terrified of heights & it was pitch dark but I would totally do it again!!

These crazy girls plus a road trip - maybe one of my favorite combinations!

xoxo

It's blackberry picking time!

I want my kids to have those memories. You know the ones where you wander through the woods, basket in hand searching for berries to pick. A few minor wounds from thorny bushes and fingers stained with berry juice - Those memories!

So after church we went to the farm and picked
blackberries - my dad, step-mother and Heather joined us. the kids LOVED every minute of it! It’s been hot and dry so the pickings were very slim but we managed to pick enough for a cobbler.

I even posted the family recipe below... I can't give you the crust recipe tho, I was sworn to secrecy!

*****

Blackberry Cobbler:

Need two pie crust

4 cups of berries

1 stick butter

1 ½ cups sugar {more/less to taste}

Directions:

Cook berries in pot with water {just covering}

Add butter and sugar
Bring to boil

 

Slice one pie crust into strips – Add strips to boiling mixture

Boil about 3 minutes then pour into 9 X 13 pan

Lay second crust on top and sprinkle with sugar

Polk holes in crust
Add butter slices

 

Cook 350 until brown and bubbly
{cook on cookie sheet in case it boils over}

Enjoy with Yarnell's vanilla ice cream