Pictures from random summer fun

I got a new phone earlier in the summer that has come in quite handy when I need to snap a picture or two to capture a memory.  The camera on it is not bad so it works out well.  Although, it has made me more lax about keeping my camera handy.  I have such a variety of pictures that I have taken on my phone that I thought I would put on here for the sake of memories and for anyone who may be interested in seeing them....  All random and they are not from any one event, just fun stuff...

My dear friend, Dana, had twin boys in early April....They are completely precious.  Jackson and Jacob.  They are of course bigger than this now. 

Elaina cuddled up with Jax one early morning in our bed.  So sweet!

Me and Elaina, just playing with the phone

Again, being silly with the phone

At our old house, Peonies are my favorite.  These are from my (old) garden. These were bulbs that came from my great grandmother's garden in St. Louis, MO.  My mom brought them here then gave me some.  I love to cut them and put them in a jar.  So pretty.

Some time in May, Liana came over to spend the night.  They dressed up like princesses and insisted that I take them on a wagon ride through the neighborhood.  I did. 

Next, it was sprinkler time....

At the zoo for my company's picnic - this was the same day she graduated from Pre-K.  She was working up the courage to hold this butterfly.  I love the look on her face.  She did end up holding it but cried the whole time she did.

We went to the festival of reading at the world fair park in May.  She loved putting her feet in the fountain.

At gymnastics....

On the way to the beach... sacked out.

One day before school - she picked this outfit out herself....

They had "Hawaii Day" at school one day... this is her get up.  She is wearing her Kukui beads that we got in Hawaii years ago.

just swimming... I forgot my suit at this particular party so I sat out....

Elaina and her friend Olivia went to VBS in June.  They LOVED it. 

kind of dark but this is them singing and doing motions in the seats where we sat

getting ready for their performance.  I thought I had video of this but I am not used to my phone yet and it was not recording the whole time I thought it was.  Bummer.

Another night at gymnastics....

The week before we closed on our house, my mom and Gale bought this lake house - SWEET! Lots of lake time on our future :) 

We spent the fourth of July there...  the gang hanging out in the lake

Elaina swimming...

She is really into giving the peace sign when she takes pictures lately

We did smores over the grill....  Elaina with Alexandra

Kate and my mom, Granny

Who doesn't love smores???

After we left the lake on July 4th, we went to some friends house for fireworks.  They moved here a little less than a year ago and have not ever lived anywhere that you can buy fireworks.  So, they went a little nuts and bought a bunch.  We benefited from the purchase by enjoying them.

Elaina with her sparkler and daddy

This is how she watched the fireworks... a vast improvement over years past.  At least there are no tears.

Dylan, Lauren, and Elaina

Her birthday.. July 6th.  I think I mentioned in the last post that we ate at Ingles Deli.  Here is a pic to prove it - peace sign and all....

Liana spent the night last Friday night.  Always a fun time.. More smores... made with Nutella but, hey, it works!

Elaina at church wearing her outfit that her Aunt Kate got her for her birthday.  she loves it.  I think it is pretty cute

That about covers all the pics I wanted to share....  Sorry, it was a long post.  I still have to post memories from her b-day party.  I'll get to that soon.

Happy 5th Birthday Elaina!

July 6, 2012... Elaina Claire turns 5 years old.  It was a very fun day.  Another year has come and gone.  I really can't believe it.  I am happy that she is at such a fun age but it makes me so very sad - 5 is such a big number.  I say that every year but it's true.  Her birthday party was not until the 7th (more to come on that) but the day of, we spent some time with just her doing what she wanted to do (mostly).  The day started off with swimming (her favorite past time).  Since we no longer live on our neighborhood with the pool, we tried out the Karns pool.  I never had a reason to try it before because we had a pool accessible.  I have heard that it was pretty great - and, turns out.... it was pretty great.  Elaina and I enjoyed it a lot.

They have a couple of slides that dump into the 2 1/2 foot area so she went down this thing about 100 times... literally.  She loved it.  I loved watching her 

They also have a kiddie pool/splash pad area that is pretty great....

Next stop.....  Ingles to buy her some cupcakes to take to her class for a little happy birthday party there.  While there, she said she wanted a lunchable so we ate one at the Ingles deli area....Random, but it was nice.  We just ate and chatted.

Cupcakes were bought and we headed over to her school for some cupcakes with her school pals.  It was a small crowd because of the holiday...but it was still fun.

The girls....

The boys....

The birthday girl....

Next, we went home to get Daddy (he had to work all day :( ).  But, he was home for the evening festivities and we were glad about that.  We then went to Build-A-Bear at the birthday girls request...

Stuffing her bear of choice...

Preparing the "heart"

Fluffing the bear...

Naming and getting the bear's birth certificate

Dressing the Bear

Meet Maddie... the Birthday Bear.  She even has a song that sings a birthday song.  Maddie took a stroll down to the play area at the mall to play

Next, we rode the train that goes around the mall... who knew they had this??  I don't get to the mall much.  But, the birthday girl wanted to, so we did.  Also the conductor was Mr. Dan from church.  Mr. Dan dresses up every Sunday and greets kids in the lobby of church.  Elaina loves him so she was happy to see him.

Maddie rode too...

After we left the mall, it was dinner time.  No pics from dinner.  But, let's just say we were hungry and Maddie had her own seat at the dinner table.  A good day... no, a great day celebrating our little... um, not so little girl.  We love her so much - her smiles, her laugh, her sweetness - we love it all.  Happy Birthday Elaina!!!