Cruisin' Thompson Lake

So hard to go home on days like this!

Berry Picking

Another Fun Day with Cousins

Today we were at the lake for a Couture Family Cookout.  Lots of swimming, eating, and tubing with the cousins.  Loving these summer days!

Pool Party!

Auntie Renee and Uncle Adam were gracious in hosting Bree's family party at their pool  A very fun day for this eight year old, her brother and cousins.  

For the Final Celebration!

Not bad for an amateur, right?

All Stars

Our first ever All Star meet this evening.  Great job, kiddos!

Sleepover!

With one of her besties.  Love these two!  <3

New Bikes for These Two!

Lowell Wish

Today we dropped off all the school supplies that Bree collected at the Lowell Wish Foundation, and also spent some time helping to stuff the backpacks and help with other miscellaneous organizing projects that they needed assistance with.  The kids really enjoyed their philanthropic work today, and we will be back for sure!

More Birthday Celebrating

While we were away today, Daddy and Aiden assembled Bree's new desk.  I think she likes it.  ;-)

Make a wish, darlin'!  Happy birthday!  We love you so much!!  xoxoxo

Old Lyme, CT

The birthday girl and I ventured down to Old Lyme, Connecticut today to spend the day with a few of my college roommates.  My friend, Jen, (who previously lived in CT and has since moved to St. Louis) was renting a beach house with her family.  It was a windy, slightly overcast day, but the company was great, and Bree and Jen's daughter Sophia had a fabulous time.  Those two were cut from the same mold, and would be besties for sure if we lived in the same town.  

Happy Birthday to This Sweet Face!

Eight years old today!  Happy birthday to one of the sweetest, kindest girls I know.  Love you, Bree Bree!  xoxoxoxoxo

Swim Meet #2

And I officially stink at picture taking.  This is the extent of it today -- their events!  Whoops!

Christmas In July - Happy 8th Birthday Bree!

Bree's birthday party theme this year was Christmas in July.  It was a little hectic, having just returned from our Oregon vacation a week ago, but we managed to scrape together a halfway decent celebration with her friends.  

I should have made 5x the number of grinch treats.  They disappeared in about 30 seconds!

We found a very appropriately themed movie for our party:  "Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July".  I probably should have had a back up activity planned, since not all the girls were into the movie.  We improvised with making beaded Christmas ornaments, holiday coloring and playing in the playroom.

Cake time!

In lieu of birthday presents, Bree collected school supplies for the Lowell Wish Back Pack Attack Project.  I'm in awe at the generosity of her friends (and their awesome parents!). 

We were able to deliver quite a haul of goodies to the Wish Project.

• 8 Backpacks
• 15 Notebooks
• 10 Composition Books
• 13 Folders
• 4 Packages of Filler Paper
• 3 Legal Pads
• 6 Boxes of Markers
• 5 Boxes of Colored Pencils
• 48 Pens
• 2 Calculators
• 6 Packages of Pencils
• 4 Bottles of Glue
• 23 Glue Sticks
• 9 Rulers
• 20 Highlighters
• 16 Boxes of Crayons
• 3 Pairs of Scissors
• 6 Pencil Sharpeners
• 5 Packages of Erasers

Thank you to all her friends that came to her party, and for all the awesome donations!

Happy 8th Birthday, Sweet Girl!  Love you!! xoxo