Happy 4th!

As usual, our 4th was packed full of fun (minus me being on call and busy at work on and off.)  We had a visit from Grandma and Grandpa Vogel, the guys got out golfing (both regular and mini), we took in some fireworks with friends, festivals, barbeque's and cool summer evenings.  I just love this time of year!

Happy birthday America!

our 4th of July cuties

red white and blue everything......I totally dominated my 4th of July pinterest board this year.  It might be the only board on my wall that actually has more pins accomplished than pinned, all you pinners reading out there will appreciate this :)

in case you were counting, there are 62 candles on that cake, and yes we lit and blew out all 62 of them!

taking in Daddy's great firework show

campfires, cuddles and s'mores, what summer's all about

Hope you all had a great holiday weekend! To me the 4th of July is the epitome of summer and that's why I love it so much.  It's always fun filled with good weather, good food and good friends.  As I close tonight, I sit with a cool summer breeze coming in the window, the sound of crickets chirping and a few stray fireworks, ahhh......summer please never leave!

What's Missing

His wiggler finally broke free!....according to Stella, he was using his teeth to get a Lego apart.  He was pretty pumped for the tooth fairy's first trip to our house!  Jack informed me he has two more wigglers as well......he's been waiting to loose a tooth ever since his buddy in school lost one this winter, pretty exciting stuff for a 6 year old :)

Sweet Treat

Yummy, fresh strawberries.....one of the many great things about summer.  We adventured out this afternoon on a little strawberry picking adventure.  The kids were excited to go and thought the sights of the little strawberry farm were cool, but about 15 minutes into it one of them declared, "this isn't as much fun as I expected."  Ha, gotta love their honesty, right?!

Wrestling around in the fields seemed to be just at entertaining, if not more entertaining than the actual picking about a half hour into it, and since it's oh so comfortable for me to pick strawberries at this stage in my pregnancy, we got a half a basket and called it a day.

The kids did declare on the way home that they want to go back again.  It was something fun and different to do, so I think we'll have to make it an annual summer tradition!

Wedding Time

 practicing their rolls for the big day

all ready to walk down the aisle

my handsome ring bearer, best man and beautiful little flower girl

Here are the kids making their way down to the aisle.  This momma's heart was bursting full of pride watching these two cuties perform their ring bearer and flower girl duties.

and they're hitched!  welcome officially to the family Alaina!  We are so happy for the two of you,  it was an honor and so much fun to be a part of your day.

here's what we think of all these pictures!

The kids did an awesome job the day of the wedding.  True to their personalities, Jack was reserved and a little nervous about having so much attention and Stella was eating up every minute.  At the end of the night I had one TIRED little ring bearer and flower girl. 

Jack before........

........Jack later on in the evening = overtired and hyperactive

Stella at the beginning of the dance.....

 ..........and the end, my tired little cuddle bug

Pool Time!

 The kids had a blast soaking up as much pool time as they could on our trip to San Francisco.  The hotel had the perfect little pool for a four and six year old, and with plenty of attention from all the family there, they were kept thoroughly entertained for hours.  

In case you were wondering, Stella spotted this cute little swim cap at Target one day and had to have it. (Of course I agreed it was pretty cute and am a sucker so I bought it for her.)  She was insistent on wearing it at all times while in the pool in order to keep her hair dry......sister doesn't want to get any split ends,         smart girl :)

The Many S's of Stella

Happy 4th birthday to our spunky, smart, sassy, sweet, strong-willed, Stella, our little star!  Stella amazes us daily with her smart logical thinking and her vocabulary. Her favorite words of the  moment: fashionable, unbelievable and incredible.  This adult like talk usually manages to crack us up daily.  Stella is a story teller and has a vivid imagination; she has no problem being the center of attention.  She is little miss independent, tries to imitate mommy as much as possible, and has the best belly laugh.  She is also developing into quite the graceful little dancer.  If not dancing around the house in dress up clothes, you will probably find Stella playing in her market or kitchen or taking care of one of her six babies or kids (her oldest is named Hannah and youngest Henry (all girls) she also has a husband Nick.) Her new bike she got for her birthday comes complete with a seat for her baby on the back, per Stella's requirement.  

Stella, your spunky little personality provides our family with so much fun and entertainment and we are so lucky to have you in our lives, we love you to the moon and back!

enjoy a look back at the past year of Stella!