Happy Red, White, & Blue!

We had a great and relaxing Red, White, and Blue over here- a few friends to celebrate with and some TASTEY burgers to fill our tummies, if I don't say so myself!

My very own little Firecracker, Miss Emmie Lou

Love this girl in a bikini and piggies...

Cousin Griffin swimming with Papa Mike

A little show of our own before the big ones start!

Everyone grabs their favorite desserts, thanks to Janey and Ryan, and hunkers down on the front lawn for a spectacular show of fireworks across the street!

The Picture Perfect Prays

Our Lovely Lewis Lovebirds

The Neighbors!!! (they just moved in a few streets over- yipee!)

The Party Poppin' Pearsey's (they supplied all the goods!)

The Had-it-Haddon's :) Emery feel asleep during the fireworks!

Snoozin' away with explosions bursting above her head!

Hope you all had a Happy 4th of July!

(my sad attempt to take a picture of the show! HA!)

Sassy...

My sweet friend Jocelyn is taking a photo editing class and her word to use was "sassy"- she chose Em, how appropriate! Here's what she came up with- isn't it so cute??? She's got some serious talent! Thanks girl!

Cry Babies....

I was watching my nephew the other night and it was time for bed, so I attempted to put both kids down and let's just say it never worked- they were so bummed on me for breaking up the party- so we pulled a late night hang out sesh until 10! Seriously, I feel for all my friends with twins- how do you do it??? I put one down, they would cry and wake the other one up- one wouldn't want to leave the other and would cry out and reach for them.... on and on it went! EXHAUSTING I tell ya! This picture really captures the tear stained faces and "happy attitudes" about the whole evening!

And we finally put together Emery's "Crazy Coop" she got from Bubba's parents for her birthday (4 months ago!) She was so jazzed about it, she couldn't wait to get in it- so we let her ride in it- slammed, the way she likes it :) Don't worry, it eventually got upgraded and has all the essential parts to it.

Belated Father's Day...

This year we got to spend Father's Day in Santa Barbara with my side of the family for our family vacation- and it was a blast! We went to the zoo, farmer's market, a parade, the beach and hung by the pool. It was so fun, and as always, I loved spending time with my family- especially the dads!  One bummer, my pics from the week were lost when my camera card malfunctioned- so I am in the process of retrieving them (if possible)- so here's what I got so far.

Happy Father's Day Bubba!!!!

We spent the day at the beach and had a chance to tell the dad's in our lives how much we love them. I am constantly encouraged by my husbands efforts to bless me in my new role of motherhood. We have had our times of adjustment into our new parenting roles, especially with that changing our marriage- but I am so grateful that my husband is constantly working at our marriage, serving me, relieving me on long days, working hard to provide for our family, keeping us mindful of the Lord and His call on our life,  and always being mindful of the future. Here's to you my sweet Bubba-lou,

 I love you!

I also got to celebrate my dad in person this year- we had a great time having a big Sunday morning breakfast made by the ladies, then we took turns sharing what we appreciate about our dads. A really sweet time. My dad got some cute presents from the kiddos, a handmade mug from the little peanuts with their handprints on it! I was able to share with my dad how thankful I am to him for his selflessness and constant generosity to all who are around him. He has been such a great example to me of humility and serving others with a giving heart. Thanks Dad, love you.

There were many fun play times in this crazy shower- with 7 shower heads and no door!!!

My sweet girl playing on the beach in the hat my mom made her- so cute!

Emery on a train ride with Auntie at the SB Zoo

Two of the cutest rugrats I know... getting ready for their bike ride to the beach!

There's a Beast in my Back Yard...

So, check this out- we have the BIGGEST hydrangea bush in our back yard, probably 40+ years old like the house, it's honestly a beast! If you ever wanna a fresh bunch of flowers, please help yourself! Anyone having a party, shower, etc.- come over and cut as many as you'd like!

So, the family spent a little time out in the sunshine a few weekends ago, planting a few things in an empty plot of dirt on the side yard.... a rose garden, an herb garden, and a little pumpkin patch for the fall (with a few cucumbers mixed in!) I am excited about it and have already begun to enjoy some of my crops from my harvest! Everything is growing well, except the caterpillars are enjoying my basil before I get to it! Bummer! Thanks Farmer Bubba for your help!

I know, I know...

I know what you are thinking- "honestly Andrea, can't you keep your kid away from the chocolate already- haven't we gone through this already???" But can I just say, I live in an old house when they didn't believe in pantries, so the only thing I have for my dry goods is this tiny cupboard with a knob that is eye level to Emery. Often times, she helps herself to a snack and brings it to me to give her a small bowl of it or a cracker from the bag. But yesterday, she helped herself. Was is because she knew I wouldn't have given her any? probably, but here's what my stinker got into today- my dark chocolate I use for baking- is there "guilty" written on her forehead or what? I think the bar was as big as her! At least she makes me laugh with all this choc-o-holic behavior... she's just like my mom, we'll and me to for that matter!

Trip up North

Bubba had to do some work in Sacramento this past week, so me and Emmie hitched a ride and hung out with my family. We had a great time and enjoyed the much cooler weather in the Bay Area. We spent lots of time outside, playing in the dirt, riding tractors, bikes and visiting extended family. 

Uncle Bubba and Owen checking out "Mater's" motor :)

Two of my favorite little people

Grammie showing "Em & O" how to play the piano- oh what "music" there was!

My sweet girl....

My cousin Katie, her daughter Brooke, Me and Emery, and Danika & Owen

My dad looking on as we all pile on his tractor and take it for a spin :)

Family tractor time....

There was work to be done moving trees... 

This trip was really fun because Emery and Owen played a lot together, they are getting to the age where they really enjoy each other and get along/interact well. Owen is so awesome with her and will be a great big brother to his new brother arriving in Sept. Danika and Noah have been chosen to be adoptive parents to a sweet baby boy due this fall. They have chosen the name Finn for him and we are all prayerfully awaiting his arrival, not only into this world, but into our family as well! Can't wait to meet you, my 3rd nephew Finn!

Summer Time is Officially Here..

Little Miss Emmie in her new bikini, we love to lounge by the pool- literally, she loves to climb up in the lounge chair and sit all by herself- no room for me! 

Isn't she the cutest???

Sweet little Emmie wishing the pool gate wasn't there, she tries to stick her legs through in hopes to get into the pool!

2 of the 3 Nemetz boys (Milo and Calvin) teaching Emery how to throw dirt clods, cool huh? he he!

More summer time pics on there way soon....

Monkey See Monkey Do....

And a little something more...

A few snip-its from what's been going on around these parts lately....

Our newest GIRL buddy came to hang out, Miss June- which is big news because most of our buddies are little boys, not a bad thing, but every once in awhile, we need a little pink! Emmie loved her and kept kissing her head :)

Like all little ones, Em found the toilet paper and unrolled it... then ate some of it- cool.

Then proceeded to dump out all my fabric scraps, a very fun and frequent game at our house :)

On our way home from SLO this weekend we stopped to stretch our legs- I don't have many pics of me and my girl, but this one I liked- great backdrop huh? Bakersfield actually looks pretty from that far away!
And a little family shot, of course not everyone can be looking at the same time, that's illegal....

Why do babies get so weirded out by grass??? Everytime she's on it, she acts like it's her first time! Love that disgusted face...

And this is just cute- she'll love me later for it....

Why do people keep telling me they look alike? Do you really see any resemblance? HA! HA!

And a sneaky face, who can resist???

"Ah mom, you shouldn't have...."

That'll do for now.... over and out.

Sweet Husband...

So, Bubs and I celebrated our 5th Anniversary and my sweet husband was so thoughtful- he took me out to lunch, a movie, and then made me dinner. Here's a snip-it of our celebration.... just so I can say I posted something other than pics of my kid :)

For starters, here's my Not-so-Hot cookie I made him, is was supposed to be a 5 for 5 years.... he thought is was an "s"... kinda random...maybe for shnookums :)

This is what I came home to- how cute he even found the china and bought candles at Hallmark!

Here he is cooking up a scrumptious meal- I mean SCRUMPTIOUS!!! The recipe will be on my recipe blog shortly because it's now in my top 5 favs!

A sneak peak.. Thai Chicken Wraps with Spicy Peanut Sauce, thanks Rachel Ray!

And an overexposed, bad lighting snap shot of us... five years into marital bliss :)

Happy Anniversary Honeyman, I love you!