{backyard pool party}

We had our first backyard "pool party" of the summer,

and it couldn't have been a nicer day!

I have been wanting to bake some fun cupcakes with the boys-- and thought this would be the perfect day to enjoy some Sprinkles cupcakes!

They were all devoured within about 5 minutes!

We invited some friends over, and the backyard pool party began.....




The kids all loved doing the slip n slide of course.

I have a feeling that we will be having many more pool parties this summer!

{a tribute}

Happy Father's Day

to the guy I love!

I dedicate the following to.......

The devoted father





The wizard who captured my heart




The diet Pepsi lover

The supreme cake decorator and
Honda lover. {notice the t-shirt he's wearing}

The ultimate Utes fan

The hunter and nature lover

The graduate

The storyteller

The dude who owns his very own Justin Bieber cutout
{Haha! Totally kidding--but I bet he'll love me for posting this pic}

The poor guy who suffered a random seizure--on his first day of residency

The very best friend I've ever had

The lover of all things Halloween

The Physician




The comforter

We love all of the many-- different, unique, quirky, and sometimes silly things about you Steve, and I hope that you have a wonderful Father's Day.

{i love summer}

I am so excited that summer is here! I have to admit, it has been quite an adjustment having Hunter home all day-- now that school is out. I almost forgot what it was like to have two kiddos running around the house all day. Plus with the move and everything else, it has been a bit hectic around here. But I am ready for this summer to begin.

We have already been able to do a few fun things so far.....

Last week, we went to the aquatic center with our good friends the Spjut's.

We have also been to the Zoo, and despite the train being closed for the day--we still had a great time with the Hibshman's.

And of course, my kids have been living in their new backyard (the days it's not raining outside.)





And loving every minute of it!

But to be perfectly honest....

do you want to know what has got me the most excited for this summer????

July 15th

Midnight showing baby! Can't wait :)

{a real house}

The month of June...marks Steve's and my 9 year wedding Anniversary. It also marks, for the first time in 9 years of marriage--a pretty significant event in our lives.

We moved into a real life house this past week.

What is a real life house? I will tell you. For 2 people that have moved-- from basement apartments, to parent's/grandparent's homes, along with several townhomes along the way....a real house is exactly what I have been missing for so long. We were fortunate enough, to have a wonderful opportunity come our way. We were offered the chance to rent out this incredible house from some good friends of ours for the remainder of Steve's residency here in Iowa. It has only been a little over one week, that we moved in--and I have literally been overjoyed and loving every minute of being in this house.

The number one, biggest reason that had Steve and I willing to pack up and move for the 7th time in 9 years to this house--is pictured below!

A fully fenced in, beautiful backyard for my kids (and their friends) to play in. I have waited so long for this day, you have know idea-- the amount of joy this picture brings me.

Mowing the lawn for the first time was a big event for the boys. They thought it was so cool "helping" their dad mow.

And then, we have this amazing play set for the kids to enjoy all summer long.

Now this is what I am looking forward to doing all summer long. (You can't see the diet coke I am holding in my hand) but kicking back on the deck, sipping an icy cold beverage-- and watching my kids play and laugh and enjoy this wonderful home, is my greatest happiness right now.

As if that wasn't enough....there is also a nice basement where we put all of the kids toys. So when they need some cooling off, from playing outside all day long, they can come downstairs and play where it is nice and cool. And best of all--that means NO TOYS are allowed upstairs to clutter the house and drive me crazy.

Yep, I feel pretty lucky right now.

So who wants to come over and play?