Parade, swimming and fireworks!

Yesterday we went to the Syracuse parade. I love this parade! We have been every year of Bella's life and it's our favorite. It isn't known for it's huge elaborate floats but they throw so much candy and it's not overly crowded.

Bella was WAY into it this year. 

She did lots of waving and lots of collecting candy. She wasn't afraid of the firetrucks at all. 

This one was her favorite float. 

Afterward the parade we went over to my parent's house because they bought a new little swimming pool. Bella has been so excited to swim lately. 

She loved it sooooo much! She swam for several hours and then ended up stripping naked after I got her dressed and jumped back in. 

That's what happens when you leave daddy and daughter alone for a few minutes.

Bella loves my mom's dog Chico soooo much! He is getting old and grumpy but he puts up with her.

Tayzhia has really perfected her aerial lately. Bella loves having her around.

Later on we went to the fireworks in Sunset city. They were awesome!. This is the second time that we have seen fireworks this year. I don't think Bella remembers them from last year but she definitely loves them! "Fireworks say BOOM!"

Snuggling with grandma. 

Before the fireworks they had a little pirate play. Bella really loved it. After it was over she asked where the pirates went. We told her that they were lighting the fireworks and she said, "thanks pirates!" She is such a nut. It was such a fun day! I'm so excited that it is summer time!!

Enjoy the simple things..

I could really take some lessons from a little girl who has only experienced this world for a little over two years. How amazing is it that kids see the good in everything and appreciate the small things SO much?

Today we went to the train station to take pictures of my best friend's kids. Bella found some garden rocks to play with and just after I told her to not play with them, she dropped one on her big toe. :( She was so sad! We ended up cutting the "session" short because she was hysterical and I took her home. I felt so bad because she was so excited to see the trains but we will make a special trip for that very soon.

Anyway.. after a day with lots of snuggling, popsicles, a grilled cheese sandwich, extra long bath time and silky frog jammies, she is the happiest clam ever. She even had a talk with her big toe and told it "I'm so so sowry that I hurt you so so bad!" Seriously, she's the cutest thing ever!

So instead of getting frustrated because the house is too messy, my hair never goes the way that I want it, and my life is total chaos most days.. I'm just going to appreciate the small things and enjoy life more! 

Bella and her best buddy Jake. They are SO cute!

Father's Day 2011

I am so lucky to have then men in my life that I do.

I honestly don't think I could have picked a better guy to marry. I thought that even before we had Bella but I believe it even more now. Bella is very much a mommy's girl but she loves her daddy just as much. They have so much fun together and have a really special bond.

 

Of course I miss my dad too.. so many things left unsaid but luckily lots of good memories to fill in the empty spots. Time does heal the pain but it also makes it feel more real. He painted this painting for me when I was a little girl and it's one of my cherished possessions.

We are so so lucky to have Rex in our lives. He has never felt like a step parent to me. He treated me like one of his own from day one. No joke. And I honestly don't think there is a person who loves their grand children more than him.

Today was a nice day. We had a BBQ at my parents with my sister's family. We even had homemade ice cream, cheesecake and brownies.

Bella was so excited to give her dad this father's day gift..

Bella the Octopus

I'm pretty sure it was his favorite gift. I don't think I could have given him anything he would have liked more.. but a Porsche probably would have been a close second.

A family favorite

Reading is a big thing in our family. Justin and I are both big readers and everyone knows the benefits of reading to young children. So naturally Bells has acquired quite the book collection. We try to read as often as possible.

This is one of our favorites. It's called Tickle Monster by Josie Bissett.

It's about a monster from the Planet Tickle who has come down to Earth to tickle. It's rather cute.

It comes with gloves that the parents are supposed to wear while reading the book so that they can tickle the kids along with the cues. It's a fun idea. Bella thinks it's much more fun for her to wear the gloves and do the tickling. The illustrations are adorable too!

We love it!

Carver's Cove 2011

Yesterday we got to visit one of our favorite places Carver's Cove. The weather was perfect and there was lots to see! Read last years post here.

Just like last year we started off with the goats. Justin loved them. 

Bella thought they were puppies because of their ears.

There were new baby goats too. This one had been born the day before. 

Such a cute replica of it's mommy.

 

There were 4 week old baby pigs too!

The kids had lots of fun.

Bella "driving" the tractor.

I captured this sweet moment with Bells and her grandma

Bella and Tazy got to ride the horse. Bella wasn't scared at all this year. She was so excited!

Tayzhia looked like a rodeo queen!

Bella broke plenty of rules.. like climbing up on the fences.

 

And chasing the chickens. Some things never change. 

But then again there are lots of things change.. like Piper the pig..

Piper was my favorite last year and I was shocked to see how she changed. 

I guess I thought she would stay little and cute forever. 

She is now the happy mommy of these little piglets.

Seriously people, look at that face. So.. adorable? I still loved her.

Howdy!

 We had a great time and I already can't wait to take Bella again!