Divas & Pirates & Rangers, Oh My!

A couple of weeks ago, the kids and I headed to the party store because we needed to get new buckets and shovels for the beach. I told the kids before we even went into the store that buckets and shovels were the only thing on our list and therefore, the ONLY things we would buy. WELL, as we walked in the front door there was a huge table piled high with discounted costumes. Of course, we couldn't pass it up. I love that each one of them picked a costume that fits their personality to a tee. Best $5 I've ever spent!!

Fashion Diva Lauren

Pirate Maddie

Some sort of power ranger?? with a silly mask

They really got into character!!

...and finally, they were tuckered out from their

adventures so they huddled around the iPad to relax

Cowboys, Goodbyes & Vegas

Anyone who knows me, knows that while I am a true city and beach kind of gal, I've always had a thing for cowboys. I love their rough and toughness, their worn out cowboy hats and tarnished boots, their big dirty trucks and calloused hands, their smelly farms and big animals, and yes...even their wrangler jeans (not too tight!) and oversized belt buckles. It is especially attractive to me if they have worn out suspenders holding up their pants and a big burly mustache that tickles your face as you kiss him. I am sure my love for cowboys came from my love for my Grandpa. As a little kid, heck even as a big kid, I loved going to Grandpa's Farm to play in the haystack, shoot guns, and gather eggs. It was fun watching my dad (another cowboy I love) get out of his business suit and into his cowboy get-up and go haul hay, brand cows, heard sheep, irrigate fields, drive tractors, shoot squirrels, and do all the other chores that need to be done on my Grandpa's farm. Farm life is wonderful!! Well that is as long as I don't have to live on one.

My favorite cowboy!!

I've always loved my grandpa's boots. It thrilled me to

pieces to have his boots under my table in Richmond,

Virginia when him and Grandma came to visit

We were able to spend some time playing on the farm

this summer. I enjoyed watching my kids do some

of the same things I did as a child on the farm

We laid in the grassy pasture and looked

for things in the clouds

Played on the old tractor

Parker had a blast climbing up and down,

up and down, over and over again

After he quit climbing, he started driving

Just one more time mom!!

Parker found my dad's boots and wore them

all over the house. Of course.....

no cowboy is complete without a pirate sword!

Such a cute 'lil cowboy

Much to my dismay, the end was here. We'd had our

fun, shed our tears, bonded a little bit more, and it

was time to say goodbye. I know we'd already been

gone for 30 days but I just wasn't ready to go. I

wanted to stay and hold on to Grandma just a little

bit longer. I knew it would be hard to do once we left

Utah. It's not just a quick trip to Grandma's house

now that we are back to our home in California.

Thanks mom and dad for ALL you did for us!!

WE LOVE YOU!!

This was the hardest goodbye for me. I wanted to

just be with Grandpa and visit forever

OK- so enough with the sadness!

We decided to drive home in two days instead

of just one day. We stopped in Vegas for the

night and it was so hot!! We spent most

of our time in the pool....so refreshing!

Maddie is a great swimmer!

Lauren is such a poser!

Parker is also learning to be a great swimmer

and just to make sure there isn't any confusion...

This man is my TRUE LOVE!! Even though he

isn't a cowboy....he's an awfully attractive dentist.

I've come to learn that white coats & silly glasses

are WAY more flattering than tight pants

Summer Part 2

Bowling was another "must do" on the list. It just so happened that there was a bowling alley that had free bowling everyday for the kids so we decided to try it out. It was so hilarious to watch the kids bowl.

Maddie got the hang of it rather quickly

She had quite a few strikes

Lauren had a tough time holding the ball.

She's too petite and the ball was too heavy.

She finally got the hang of it and even got a strike

Parker used the ramp and he made sure he got

a running start every time he pushed the ball

Great time bowling?? Check!

We stopped by the aquarium and I have to say I

was very impressed. My kids seem to like

sea creatures and water animals

I'm in love with a big blue frog, a big blue frog

loves me. It's not as bad as it appears he's

got glasses and he's 6 foot 3-

You'll only appreciate this if you grew up

in my house. Remember this song??

Maddie loved petting the stingrays

They were too slimly for me

Lauren was excited that she was dressed in the

same colors as the penguins. Their penguin

exhibit was awesome!!

This fashion diva can even use a snake as an

accessory. "Don't ya love my scarf?"

Of course Parker had to try it to!

This was the souvenir Maddie would have chosen but

instead of buying them, we took pictures of them

Since we were so close to Uncle Jakes house, we

decided to stop by and play with the dogs. These dogs

are the Allred kids pseudo pet dogs. Good idea huh!!

They live in Utah & we don't. Best way to have a pet!

This year mom wanted to have a really great family

picture taken so I bugged everyone about it and

got it all set up. It was by far the best experience

ever. It sure does pay to have a professional

who knows what they are doing take the pictures!!

The adults, the kids, even the dogs were

so well behaved!! These are just a few

random shots I took with my cheap camera

as we were waiting our turn

Two handsome fellas!!

Little Miss Lulu

Little Buckaroo is getting so big

...and finally Miss Maddie Moo.