happy little camper {Lulu & Co.}

On Father's Day, while everyone in my house napped {yes, even the dog!} I took advantage of the quiet and came up with this fun little applique...

I have to admit the little pumpkin wasn't sold at first. She was disturbed with only 1 wheel showing...can we say analytical, much? Ha!

But once she tried it on...magic!

Even the little window got its very own fancy schmancy window treatment!

So there you have it...my very own happy little camper *wink*

What types of adventures have you been on lately?
 

blueberries {2013}

Last year time got away from us and we didn't get to go pick blueberries so this year we made it a point to go as soon as they were ready!!

We went to a new farm this year and it was a lot of fun!

A little history lesson before going out to the fields...

DeLicIOus BlueBErRiEs!!!

2013...
Grace - 8.25 blueberry cases tall!
Hudson - 7.00 blueberry cases tall!

They were soooo thrilled to pose for pictures, can't you tell? ha!

In their defense, it was H-O-T!!!

Time to pick berries!

Yum!

Showing off the fruits of their labor - hahahahaha! {couldn't resist}

All this work and I only have how many berries???!

Awe...picking blueberries is not so bad, Hudson!

Off to weigh our berries...

Hot & Sweaty!!

After weighing the blueberries and enjoying some yummy blueberry lemonade, the little pumpkin and I went to check out the blackberries while Hudson and Noonie took a little {air conditioned} break in the car...

The guy at the farm store gave us permission to taste a couple to see which ones we liked...

They are really tart but I like them!

And since getting home, we have already put those juicy blueberries to good use!!  We've made blueberry pancakes...

...and yummy blueberry crumble cupcakes using {this} recipe!  M'mm-M'mm!

I love super fun, summer days!!

 

Father's Day!

We had a great day - I hope you did too!!

We woke up early and the littles gave their Daddy his presents...

They weren't excited or anything...

We always have lots of little helpers...I bet you do too!

We had a low key day with pizza for lunch and LOTS of splashing around!!!

We only came inside long enough for a little afternoon siesta for everyone except me.  I took advantage of the quiet to come up with a little something...

Then after another splash session it was time to clean up and go to dinner!  Someone insists on a dress every.single.time. we go anywhere she deems "fancy"...a girly girl after my own heart!

This little fella could care less what he wears - ha!  But he was still lovin' the card we gave Lance...a sound card with two littles {who by the way look a LOT like our littles!} waking their daddy up by jumping up and down on the bed and screaming "Daddy...Daddy...Daddy" - best card ever!! 

We filled up our bellies and we were then ready to call it a day!

Happy Father's Day to my hubby - our littles are blessed to have you as their dad!!
And to Papa J, Pop, and Papaw...the littles have THE BEST grandpas a kid could ask for!!!  We love you all!

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!
{and a big hug to everyone missing their daddy today...praying God's unending love over you}

to the zoo!

Yesterday after swimming lessons, we decided to go on a little road trip! We drove a couple of hours to Noonie & Papa J's house and then headed to the zoo! Yes, in 95° weather!! Great planning on my part, huh?

Papa J has done an amazing job with their garden. They just had their dinner club on Saturday and all of the centerpieces were blooms from their yard. Like this bouquet of pink hydrangeas.....LOVE!!

The little pumpkin was most excited about the prospect of taking a whirl on..............the tire swing, of course!!

I wish I would have taken out the big camera {these are all phone pics} but I LOVE this sweet pic of Noonie giving her a spin!

Hudson was not interested in the tire swing, but he was all about being pulled in the "wagon" and Noonie was happy to indulge him...he he he.

He investigated these "berries"...

Turned out they were lantana buds!  Aren't they beautiful?

He was so funny checking things out..."I think I saw a bird flying right up there.  I hope he doesn't poop on me!"  Somehow potty humor makes its way to this little fella's conversations almost all the time!  Must be a boy thing??!

These tomatoes were sooooooo yummy!!!!  Nothing better than homegrown fruits & veggies!

Seriously, forget the phones/ipads/kindles/dvds/electronics ...this is what childhood should be all about!

Oh, and this too...
{even if she was bluffing to spook us when we went by!!!}

After playing in their yard and enjoying a light lunch, we took our zoo to the zoo!

We fed the fish in the koi pond...

"Rode" the elephant...

Even talked Noonie into getting up there! Ha!

Walked the trails...

Went on our very own safari expedition...

Took the scenic train ride...

And did some fun moves near the totem pole!

Sure wish Papa J could have joined us but he was working - boo!  We did visit him at work for just a second and left him a frozen treat for when he got home!

We finished our day with some delicious peach milkshakes from Chick-fil-A.... yummmmmmmy! And then it was time to gather my zoo and come home!

So even if the zoo wasn't quite up to par with lots of remodeling and construction going on, we had a super fun day - thank you for being our tour guide, Noonie!  The littles can't wait to come back and play in "Noonie & Papa J's big house"!  We love you!