Independence Day 2012!!

 The night before we went to Fort Gordon-- the military base-- and it was soo fun! There were amazing amazing fireworks-- one did get blown over and some pretty serious sparks (ok the firework itself) hit the blanket of the family next to us... thankfully, no one was hurt or trampled~ there was an exodus of families once it happened-- but we stood our ground and it was well worth it-- the girls LOVED the party.

 The actual day of the 4th was VERY FUN!!== we went to Sam's club for hot dogs, and to a town party at night.

 There is nothing like free blow up toys--(I love this pic-- here Ems is waiting patiently--with her little hands on her hip-- so cute!-- and don't you adore this of Elles? ha!! she loves the little Sam's club potty-- nothing ever comes out-- but she pushes and pushes)

 or bubbles in abundance.

 There were crafts (it was sooo hot that the girls got to make fans)

 this is Ellie's cheese face-- not the ideal...

 there were LOTS of other activities during the day (more posts to come) but the night ended with our very own fireworks-- much to the girls' delight.

 Tasting a firework-- of course she is.

Enjoying the show!

Watching the Capitol Fourth-- and dancing on the table-- it's what we do.

My favorite crown pic yet!

 This really is my new favorite~ Elles has just figured out how to put on her own crown-- more often than not-- this sassy angle is the result-- that, combined with the AWESOME hair just delights me!

 I also can NOT get enough of this profile-- ahhhh!!!

 As I was cooking Ellie decided to put her little baby to sleep at my feet--  please ignore the mac and cheese surrounding her!

 Could she be cuter?!

She really is just edible!

One of my favorite dresses-- then and now!

 This was Emmy's dress-  there is a pic of Ems at the bottom of the post with it on-- I loved it then-- and I love it now-- in the above picture Elles is trying to see how much cookie she can get in her mouth.

 In this one she is doing her version of Magnum Steele-- and looking pretty good!
and of course Emmy had to get in on the photo shoot-- love her!

Loving these summer evening walks!

 Last week we went on a walk and had an impromptu photo shoot--

 Callahan at 23.5 weeks-- what a little stud!

 Emmy adores dandelions--

 blowing them-- or dancing with them is a favorite past time at our house.

 As is catching baby frogs and polliwogs.

 Here Emmy is singing to her little friend (clutched in her hand)

 Her she is delighted

 Elles isn't as good at catching them yet-- but she still loves them.

 Here we all are== pushing an empty stroller-- the story of every parent's life.

 Emmy found an injured dragonfly-- they were best friends for the rest of the night-- she even brought him home afterwards-- where he is now~ no one knows.

 Ellie loving on Callan-- look at those cute little tip toes--

 please note Emmy lowering herself into the river-- nice.

 Elles loves shoes-- especially ones that are too big for her.

 Ellie eating a gardenia I gave her to SMELL~

 a random pic of Ellie climbing the McDonald's slide-- but I like it-- so, here it stays!

and another friend we found while on our walk-- it was a GREAT time!

Worst split lip ever!

 Today we went to the splash pad at the YMCA- Emmy was LOVING her life~until a big boy smashed into her~this was the result...

 We don't have medicaid yet-- something I've been working on-- but will obviously devote myself to this week... but thankfully, Daddy is a doctor--

 He cleaned her up and put liquid bandage on her...

 and here is the invalid!

Daddy is our hero-- that stupid boy who smashed into her is NOT our hero-- but Emmy was so so sooooo brave!