The week of the 4th

Independence day happens to be my favorite holiday. Yes, even over Christmas. In my opinion there's not much better than a warm summer evening barbecue, a toddler singing "You're a Grand Old Flag" while simultaneously dancing with a miniature flag , firework stands, Ray Charles "America the Beautiful", s'mores, the smell of black powder and remembering the blessings that come from living in a free Country. I think it's important to feel pride where you come from, wherever it may be and I love having a day where we can celebrate America in all her beauty.

After last years epic 4th of July failure we made sure to bring back all the nostalgic memories from fourths past. We got everything we were missing last year and more. Still no apple pie though, but s'mores and popsicles did the trick. Plus my sister, Katie, was here! We were so happy to have her around. I think Katie and I broke into laughing tears 10+ times and I couldn't count how many times we snorted even if I tried (yes if you make us laugh hard enough we will snort. 

Austin STILL makes fun of me for it). 

We celebrated a week long fourth is this year. Austin lit fireworks every day/night leading up to the big night. Which equaled frequent trips to firework stands and Maisie was happy to accompany any person to said stand (especially auntie Katie). Seriously I haven't seen Maisie so happy, not even a candy or toy store could make my child as happy as a firework stand does. She was in heaven I tell you.

Here are some pictures from our week long celebration.

My posts tend to be photo heavy, but this one will be a doozy.

You have been warned.

Our child's backpack filled with fireworks. Haha

Snakes!

tiny graham, big mallow.

 

I don't even know.

This has been the best Independence day in a lonnggg time. I can't wait to see how it goes down in Idaho next year because word on the streets is they have amazing and Oregon-illegal fireworks. Whoop! 

Emerson turns 1!

We started Emerson's birthday off right with a couple rides on the Riverfront Carousel. 

After Emerson left for his nap, we hung around the park for a little bit. We ate sno cones under the shade of a tree and watched as Maisie befriended all the children on the play ground. She even buttered up some adults for a balloon. 

She's too cute for her own good.

I asked her to show me the sno-cone and this is the face she made. Quite the ham no?

Later that afternoon we made our way to Andrew and Camille's for the party.

How amazing is this?! Camille did such a good job! So cute!

but it didn't stay cute...

The aftermath.

Oh little Emerson, how are you one already?

We are so glad we were able to celebrate your big day with you!

Splash Pads

It's summer wahoo! It's really warming up in the Pacific Northwest and so we have been trying to find things to do outside that will keep us cool. Camille and I found out there's like 7 different splash pads in Salem, so we have been trying them out. We have only been to 2 of them, but both were fun. These pictures are from our adventures at Riverfront and River Road park.

Portland Aquarium

"Nemo!"

Andrew had a couple days off from school, so we were trying to think of something fun we could do on a random Wednesday. So after scouring Groupon and finding a deal on the relatively new Portland Aquarium, we decided to try it out. It was really fun, but I think before people go they should know the following:

1) It's not in Portland. haha

2) It's a private aquarium, so it's not maintained by the city or ran by actual Marine Biologists.

3) The building it's located in used to be a steak house.

4) It's probably not worth the real price of admission, but with a Groupon why not?

5) If you are debating between the Newport and Portland-but-not-in-Portland aquarium... well, that's a silly debate. haha

6) If you want to pet/feed fish/rays/sharks then Portland it is! Oops I mean Milwaukee*.

Ok enough poking fun. 

We really did have a good time. So if you want to go some where new and you have a Groupon... go for it!

2013 Olys

The Lees.

Siblings.

7 years ago we graduated together, in this very spot.

Yay Miranda graduated! It was fun to be in the very stadium Austin and I graduated 7 years ago and Andrew 10 years ago (!!!) but now watching Miranda the last of the Lee kids- which still blows my mind because I remember how young she was when Austin and I started dating. I even remember watching the child graduate Elementary school! Ah! How are we so old?!

Daddy/Daughter Backyard Campout

Austin and I are starting to prepare for our upcoming move to Idaho, so we have been going through all of our stuff to organize, sell/donate or replace. While digging through a pile of stuff in the garage, we came across our tent that we bought shortly after we were married hoping we would be an outdoorsy camping couple. Well, the tent has yet to be used for "real" camping, but Austin did set it up for a daddy/daughter campout a couple of weeks ago. The two of them were so cute and excited for their "camping adventure". Before it got too dark, I snuck out and took a couple pictures of the camping duo.

Arnie- Maisie took it upon herself to give the cat a name.

I told her she could pick two animal friends, these were the lucky two.

And if you were wondering if she ever fell asleep, I made Austin provide proof...