A month old..

This little babe is a month old already.

I know that the last month of my pregnancy didn't go by this fast!!

She is a beautiful and sweet little girl. She is also starting to smile. We will try to catch one, but until then, here is Piper!

Happy 7th Birthday, Pacie Dear!

Our little Pacie turned seven on July 9th. How quickly the time seems to pass!! We tried to make her day special-even though with a new baby, things are a little more complicated.

Her birthday breakfast request was: Swedish pancakes, scrambled eggs and orange juice with birthday cards. For the most part her wish was granted-minus the orange juice. She did get sprinkles and candles in her pancake though-so that's an added bonus. Her siblings were all excited to celebrate her breakfast with her.

Second, she wanted to go see a movie. We went and saw Shrek Forever After. Not my favorite of the Shrek franchise, but the kids had fun regardless. And we did love the little boy with the lollipop and smokers voice. ("Do the roar, Do the roar. I love you, Daddy)

After the movie, it was a little shopping at Old Navy and then dinner at Red Robin. I think it's their favorite place to go because of the free ice cream sundae and the balloon ears.

For the record, I love Piper's face in this picture. It's almost like a smile-but not quite.

The back story behind the following two pictures goes as follows:

Pacie was presented with her ice cream/singing/balloons. Landon and Presley started frantically searching for spoons to dig into her ice cream with. Landon, instead, proceeds to dot Pacie's face with whipped cream dots. She was NOT that impressed. He, seeing the reaction....

.....decides to do this. And he thinks it is JUST as funny.

I have a feeling he has just figured out exactly what teasing means. And I also have a feeling this is JUST the beginning of many more teasings to come....

When we were finished there, it was off to Sams Club, where she picked out a new game for her N-DS. Some Pet Vet game which seems to be a hit. We also picked out a very generic birthday cake as well. (I am planning on making a cake for her official birthday party on Tuesday. I was feeling a little guilty all day that I didn't make her one!!)

Matt and Ashley came over and brought Candy Land, a new outfit, and two little pets for her and stuck around for the candles and a round of the Happy Birthday song. All in all, I think it was a successful birthday. When it was time for bed, Pacie said, "Mom, I don't want this day to end."

Pacie is such a special girl. She has such a soft heart and such a strong conscience. She always wants to do what is right and makes sure that she is a good example to those around her. She is soft spoken, but never fails to let me and her daddy know how much she loves us. She is such a great helper with Piper and has really stepped up helping me around the house as well. She is a hard worker in dance and school and piano and loves to do things right.

We love you, Pacie and hope you love being seven!! Happy Birthday!

Proud to be an American!

The 4th is one of my all time favorite holidays. Right up there with Christmas.

I love the way that we celebrate every year. It is probably one of the longest standing traditions that we have in my family.

We start the day off by going to the parade. A little break in between and then we all gather at my mom and dads house for a picnic and games with some of our extended family. The one family that is always guaranteed to be there is the Peterson bunch. Even when we haven't seen each other for a long time-we can always count on the 4th to be able to see each other and to catch up! And now, our kids are doing the same that we did growing up. Just running and playing and drinking as much pop as they possibly can. Sometimes we get other members of the family there as well, and that is always fun too.

My dad is the cook. His hamburgers are amazing.

We play games and most years make a trip down to the canal for a freezing cold swim. The weather did NOT cooperate this year, so there was no swimming, but we all still had a great time.

We then meet up later on for the fireworks. (Thankfully, most years my kids manage to catch a nap in between all of the fun.) Every year at some point during the fireworks, my eyes fill up with tears and I am thankful. For my family, for our country and for our freedom. I think how blessed I really am to live in a country where I am free to do as I please, without anyone dictating my every move. I can worship how I please, walk free as a woman without being regulated, and really just do anything that I want to do. Like I said, I am just thankful. This year was no different.

This year was Piper's first 4th. She attended all of the festivities and did amazingly well for being only about a week old. Here is a little of our day in pictures.