Family Movie Night

We try to make Friday nights family nights. We try to do something as a family and then when Anne Marie goes to bed Mike and I usually watch a movie or play a game or cards or do something for "couple-time". Last weekend we decided to get a "kid" movie and spend family night watching a movie. I didn't really know if Anne Marie would sit all the way through the movie - but we thought we'd try it. We rented the movie from the library & made popcorn. She made it about 1/2 way through - and got a little restless - but she really seemed to enjoy herself - and I think we had just as much fun as she did!!

Our Library Movie

Snuggling w/ Mommy watching the movie

Sharing popcorn w/ daddy

Pool-Time-Fun

One of the things we look forward to every summer is the pool opening at Mike's place of employment. One of the great perks where Mike works in the family recreation area they offer their employees. (A gym, pool, ball fields, and playground)

Anne Marie LOVES the water and even though she is not old enough for swim lessons at our pool this year, we've decided to start helping her try a few new things this year - like blowing bubbles w/ her face in the water, jumping off the edge, and dog-paddle with floaties. And Kristi - if you're reading this - her inspiration was that she saw Kylie jumping in your pool - she asked to watch it over & over!!

She's now (w/ the help of floaties) swimming on her own, she even goes under water some!! She jumps off the edge & wants you to not catch her - she wants to try to swim after she jumps - and she even asked to jump off the board the other day -- but they don't let you do that @ our pool if you have to use floaties to swim. (Thank goodness, because I'm not ready for that!!)

Our little mermaid...

Happy 4th of July (a few weeks late...)

We spread our 4th of July celebration out over a few days. On the 4th we spent the evening with friends from Church at a cook-out.

We all were supposed to dress up in red, white & blue. Someone brought sparklers & then we watched their neighbors fire-works show. We had a great time & we're so blessed to have such wonderful friends.

Then a few days later we went to Mike's parents to celebrate the 4th. They had a special night organized for Anne Maire. They bought fire-works that Mike and his dad put off in the front yard, they got some special new toys to play with, they ordered pizza (her favorite) and a huge fruit tray (her 2nd favorite) - and even a bear cake made from cup-cakes. They even bought her a special gift - a crab-shaped sippy-cup and plate she had been eyeing at Target every time we went in there. It was such a fun night for Anne Marie - these are the fun-filled childhood things she'll remember later.

Family picture @ the cook-out.

Some of our little friends

Our red, white & blue toes

Daddy showing Anne Marie the sparklers

The end of a long-fun-filled night.

Anne Marie & Grandma waiting for Daddy & Grandpa to light our fireworks

Grandma's special bear-cup-cakes

Special new toys @ Grandma's house

Excited about her new crab sippy-cup

A Girl & Her Kitty

I don't know how much I've talked about this, but we have two "furry children" too. About 8 years ago we adopted Elizabeth - our fuzzy little kitty. Then the year before we brought Anne Marie home we adopted a little abandoned kitty we named Charlie.

Elizabeth is a spoiled little brat - to put it lightly. Mike and I had many talks about how worried we were that when Anne Marie came home that Elizabeth might not do well & what would happen if she didn't. We never worried much about Charlie, because he was used to "sharing" ... and to be honest .... Charlie just is so goofy we didn't think he'd notice the difference.

Well, not too long after we brought Anne Marie home Elizabeth would creep up and take little peaks at her -- then she let her pet her one day -- and now -- they are fast friends.

Petting her "kitty kitty"

It makes her sooooo happy that Elizabeth lets her "play" with her!!

Some of the first pictures taken of Anne Marie & Charlie & Elizabeth. Charlie is on the left -- keeping his distance -- close enough - but just far enough away! Elizabeth being a little more social... and do I need to mention -- oh my gosh -- how little does Anne Marie look??

Future "Trend Setter"????

Anyone notice anything funny w/ this picture??? Cracks me up --- the rain-boots!! A friend of ours bought Anne Marie an adorable lady-bug umbrella for her b-day last year. Then, this year we found these boots at a consignment store -- they match perfect.

Well, as I've said many times this lovely child was given a true strongwill from God. She has opinions on EVERYTHING!! She likes to pick her own clothes and shoes out daily!! On the way to town one day, she decided she was going to wear these boots!! Mind you, there was no rain!!

I love that God has blessed us with this child - full of spunk!!!