oh the places we'll go

while nana (justin's mom) was in town...

we went here...

nana loved spending time with cole and ali

ali loved being spoiled and packed around and hydrated by daddy.

daddy loved hanging out with all the fam at Zion and exploring with cole.

mommy loved seeing daddy so happy.

and cole loved talking with

and walking with nana.

and we all loved going on a family adventure.

"ali"gater style

her hair was just too cute not to post.

ignor the crooked line and focus on the cuteness.

oh how I love dolling her up,

and taking pictures to document it before nap time ruins all my efforts!

ali's "girls guide to summer"

I am loving summer and...

ah, pool days with daddy...

where I can take my time getting in the water

and then spend quality time with dad...until he realizes cole is wandering to the deep end and needs some dad help...silly brothers.

but don't worry dad always comes back to find me waiting with a great big smile for him.

and my favorite part of pool days? the accessories of course!

who doesn't love getting a little glammed up before catching some sun?

the only part that's a little tough...

is getting out and freezing until mom get's a towel around me.

other than that, it's pure fabulousness!

happy birthday to me!

this post is a little out of order considering all that I have to blog that happened pre-birthday, but I was too excited to make it wait till the end of the line.

this birthday was fabulous...thanks to friends and family who remembered me, a husband who spoiled me, and that incredibly funky chair pictured above that now has a home in my living room.

(it looks even more awesome in person...picture brighter!)

justin earned major brownie points this year with a delicious icecream cake and party.

and my craft night girls spoiled me the night before too.

thanks all of you who called, came over, or sent messages, you absolutely made my day.

the laundry basket bunch

who knew laundry could be so fun?

apparently they did.
(as a side note: I made those flower clips in her hair...thanks for the tutorial katie!)

fun to stand in,

and even more fun to be pushed in!

I love what they come up with...

sometimes I wonder what is going through his head to do next...

or her's...

hmmm, I think I better stay on my toes with these 2!

playroom partners

I really love catching these two playing together.

we turned one of the bedrooms in our house into a playroom

and we love it.

everything is kid friendly, has a place, and is easy to clean up.

(p.s can you tell which of my kids LOVES posing for the camera?)

they play so cute independantly...

but I especially love when we catch them together, just laughing it up...

which is often.

whether they know we are watching...

or not.

(...and this was before daddy's fabulous haircut, hence the shaggy look.)

my handy hairstylin' man

justin decided to try his steady hand at hairstylin'!

and he proved yet again that he is a talented fella!

I must admit I was a little skeptical,

but that didn't last long, it was clear justin could work the scissors.

he looks just like when he leaves the salon

and mommy and daddy look even happier 'cause it was free!