4th of July

We enjoyed the 4th of July weekend up at

the cabin. It is so crazy how high the water is

this year. The private beach at Brandon's

Grandpa's cabin is completely gone with the

water level so high. So we had to head to

North Beach. The kids had a blast. This

was Owen's first time at the beach and of course

he fit right in. He loves dirt and so the sand

to him was no different.

Sierra just minded her own business

most of the time and played by herself.

I love how she posed when I told her

to smile at the camera.

Olivia, Maddie and Paige ready for the water.

Riley giving the ski thing a try again. And she

loved it. She even let go with one hand and waved.

Grandma and Grandpa bought 3 small

kid canoes and they were a hit with the kids.

They played in them on top of them tipped over

and even Grandma got in with the kids and had

some fun.

Savannah and Paige's discovery.

The kids were begging to go tubing so after

the adults enjoyed the smooth water we

hooked up the tubes for the kids. We basically

were idling the boat and not moving much

but the kids were okay with not going fast.

And then one got scared and cried and it made

a few others start to cry. My goodness we

need to get them out more often!

Sierra and Olivia, Savannah, Riley and Maddie

Owen's first time in the boat. He did not mind

it at all like all the other babies. We probably

should get boy colored life jackets since

we have 3 baby boys. Owen got stuck in a pink

life jacket!

Sometimes, well all the time Riley is cutting,

gluing, taping, coloring and what ever else you do

with paper at the cabin and she makes interesting things.

One time it was earrings for all the ladies and necklaces

another time. This time was I think her most

creative project. Paper Flip Flops.

She is so funny!

We celebrated Grandpa Gardner's 56Th Birthday at

the cabin. I love this picture of all the kids showing

Grandpa were their hand print was on his new shirt.

Grandpa and his new shirt from the Grand kids.

you ever need to know how to get fabric paint

out of fabric ask Alli!

The mom's with their babies at the park.

Kristie and Owen, Katie and Bailee, Rachael and Tate

Spencer is such a great uncle. He is always playing

with the kids. He swung them around on this cool

park toy.

Paige, Maddie, Riley and Savannah

Owen's first time with a sparkler!

The kids watching Brandon set off fire works.

Grandma always holding Sierra. She hooked up

her ipod to the chair that has speakers and played

patriotic music during our little show of fire works.

Brandon, Paige and Maddie roasting

marshmallows for smores.

Owen sat so still on Brandon's shoulders during

the Paris city parade. I have to say that the Parish

city parade was a lot better then here in Syracuse.

Besides candy and otter pops, they handed out flip flops

hats and necklaces. We scored a good few dozen!

Brandon's got his pimp daddy one on!

Watching the Parade.

My little Sierra is so good at getting what she wants.

And Grandma is no exception to falling into to her

trap. Sierra just had to give her cute Innocent look

and Grandma gave her a piggy back ride back to

the car.

We tried to get a picture of all the 11 cousins

in their patriotic colors. The bigger cousins which

are still little themselves had to hold the babies.

And what a bummer that Owen is sad when he

usually is the happiest of all the babies.

Oh well can't win them all!

Top row:

Tate, Paige, Olivia, Josh, Savannah, and Austin

Bottom Row:

Sierra, Owen, Riley, Bailee and Maddie

THE BEFORE PICTURE!

This picture is exactly 1 year ago at the cabin

when all of us were pregnant.

Kristie was 9 months pregnant

Katie was 8 months pregnant

and Rachael was 6 months pregnant

Rachael, Katie and Kristie

THE AFTER PICTURE!

One year later and boom we have a cute babies!

Owen & Kristie, Bailee & Katie and Tate & Rachael

Again I tried to get a picture of my kids

but Sierra never makes eye contact with

the camera and Owen through a fit. He was hungry.

It is funny that year after year at the cabin on the

4th of July weekend we try to get a picture of

the kids and it ends up not the best picture

we've taken!

We drove home on Monday the 4th and our

neighbors the Stapletons treated us to an amazing

show of fire works. The kind that shoot really high

in the air. Before we weighed the fire works done

with pavers one of the fire works shot straight

at a neighbors garage and another at a tree.

We are so glad it went the oppostie direction of us.

After that the girls decided to take cover under the

blanket. They had more fun screaming and giggling

under the blanket then watching the fire works!

Riley , Hallie and Paige