So said Emma as we walked to our car from the fireworks… and with good reason.  This year, the 4th had everything a great holiday should have:  good friends, good food, a nap, sparklers, and a fantastic fireworks show.  My friend pointed out a great truth about Independence Day – it's not a lot of…

And if it doesn't – try it on anyways, just for fun.  Whenever Carter is in our room lately, this is how he chooses to spend his time.  Gotta love Daddy shoes! 

The 5-minute away, man-made beach… that my kids LOVE.  I have to drag them away… (this time, sort of literally… not our best exit.)  Up until that point, however, it was a lot of fun – what could be better than water and sand?  (PS, the water IS as brown as it looks… I just…

This summer, my kids' favorite thing is the sprinkler.  They finally are all at a stage where they can appreciate it in one way or another – Carter loves to play with the crazy sprinkler at our house; Emma loves to be in her swimsuit and to just run through; Zach calls it "jedi training"…

Here is Emma with our first harvest of cilantro.  We were so excited.  Then our cute little neighbor asked us what we were doing.  We told her we got cilantro from our plant!  She said [emphatically!] "I hate cilantro!"  And then Emma didn't look so excited anymore as she realized she didn't really like cilantro…

Well, sort of walk… he's getting there.  He's gotten even braver in the last few days and will try it on his own (without people begging him to)…  But these are the first of the real steps.  Download MOV03303

First of the track meets – she loves it as much as ever. She is my runner girl!

We went to the zoo up in the Cities the other day – the first time we'd been there since we promised it (and didn't deliver) the day Emma smashed her finger in the door.  It was HOT – but the zoo is small and our trip was short enough to still be fun.  Carter wanted…

Big bump in the covers every night is her little feet up in the air. Funny girl. Eats as many bananas as I'll let him. "Big-boy" style. Too cute. He asked me to take this picture. Lucky for me, when I'm at my grumpiest (while I'm still waking up) these two are at their sweetest.

I own a camera.  And I can take pictures of my kids.  But not like my friend Brooke.  I love how she captures their eyes.  Here are a few of my favorites…  one of the things I feel good about splurging on.