Our first Rodeo

The day after the 4th we headed to the Rodeo of the Ozarks (Isn't that what it's called?)..  These cuties couldn't wait to see the horses, bulls, clowns, etc! They were ready to pose for pictures too!

Brooks had lots of fun!  

Brooks waving to the cowboys!  Such a sweet boy!

Thank you to Allison who wrestled my kids, fed them sno cones, and kept them from seriously injuring themselves!  What a great friend! 

He loved his overalls.  When we got home he didn't want to take them off.  If they weren't covered in grossness I might have let him keep them on!

 Brooks is really just so sweet and happy.  

B and I rotated babies the entire time.  It was Brooks' turn with mommy.  He just sat back and enjoyed his sno cone!   But then ten minutes later he lost it and we had to go home!  I enjoy the peace while it lasts!

I would guess Brandon spent approximately fifty dollars at the concession stand to keep our crew happy.  We went through a million bottles of water, sno cones, and beer to keep daddy happy! 

Our crew!

He felt so big.  If only he would act like a big boy.  At one point I looked over and he was licking the bar in front of him.  Gag.  

My boy! 

Oh Ava.  I just can't handle those boots!

Probably the cutest thing I have ever seen.  

He never stopped moving.  Not once.  

How cute is Miller in his little boots?!  Love him! 

On the way to the rodeo B looked at me and said, "Why are we going to the rodeo again?  It's 105 degrees outside." ha It was hot and it was a lot of work, but I think it was worth it!  The babies got out of the house (mommy too) and we had fun!  We are already looking forward to next year! 

4th of July Parade

On the morning of the 4th we attended the Carters parade!  I'm not the craftiest person in the world but I really tried my best! You can't tell by the finished product though!   

The Elliott wagon! 

Poor Ava got the floor seat again! 

Miss Firecracker 2012!

B had to work so Gigi came to help!!  Ava decided she didn't want to ride in the floor of the wagon anymore so the princess got carried around the block! 

How cute is this wagon?!  And how cute is Lyla?  The boys were pretty impressed! 

Look at this turnout!  The mayor even rode on top of a fire truck in the parade! Oh and the parade made the news!  

Our host and hostess in their patriotic Escalade leading the way!

My Brooksy!

Knox wanted to go for a spin on the scooter! 

I have to give a shout out to Jennifer because she made the boys these cute shirts!  She really does a great job monogramming!  Her business is called Luxe Monogramming.  Let me know if you need her contact info! 

The parade was so cute and fun! Thanks for organizing Carter fam!

The babies were pretty tired after the parade which was perfect because they took a long nap and I was able to get the house and food ready for our cookout!  B and I decided the day before the 4th that we would have a little party!  I think we have spent the last two 4ths at La Hacienda so we decided to switch it up this year! 

Lately

 I think summer is all about being busy, making messes, and having fun!  We have definitely been doing these three things!  We have been so super busy!  I kind of feel like I am running a summer camp at our house!  We've been so busy I haven't used my real camera in months!  I have one million cell phone pictures to document our summer so get ready! 

A few weeks ago the whole family got in wedding planning mode!  Caroline, Gigi, and I went to Rogers and looked at wedding dresses!  Caroline probably tried on ten dresses and I think she said, "Y'all I think this is the one!" every time she put on a dress.... That might be a problem!  So, I decided I am going to be her official wedding planner.  She missed our first wedding planning meeting but maybe we can start next week!  I love weddings!  If I had a little more time and a few extra set of hands I would love to plan weddings!  

A rare moment when they all stopped long enough to sit on my lap.  

I noticed Ava had been squinting a lot so after a little online research I went into full mom freak out mode!  I thought she was going to need glasses for sure!  I couldn't get Ava in to see a doctor until September but Gigi pulled some strings and we got in that week.  Ava was a super star at the appointment.  I really can't brag on her enough!  They warned me that she might scream when they dilated her eye but she didn't make a peep!  She also sat so still while they checked her eyes for about 20 minutes!  She does have slight astigmatism but he thinks she will be okay!  It might even correct itself.  Ava got a sticker for being such a good girl!  I think we are ready to try the dentist next!   

I laugh out loud at this kid every day.  He put on this Grey Goose hat and wouldn't take it off.  I think he looks like a little rapper in this pic!  

This cutie makes a mad dash for the stairs every chance she gets.  She can make it to the top in about 2 minutes.  So far I have lost her twice and found her hiding upstairs.  Hiding is her new thing.  Gigi found her in the closet a few weeks ago.  Gigi was screaming her name looking everywhere and Ava was sitting in the corner of the closet being as still and quiet as she could be...  Another time, I looked everywhere for her and found her hiding in her tunnel being so still.  I even kicked the tunnel and she still didn't make a peep or move.  I've also found her hiding in our closet upstairs in the dark.  When you finally find her she thinks it's hilarious!! Where did she learn this?

Our friends just moved to town and we are so excited about it!  Travis, Leigh, Baylon, and Barrett Bowen are now Fayetteville residents!  We are so happy they are finally here!  We know we are going to have lots of fun with them! 

They came over to swim and cookout and mean mommy wouldn't let A, B, and K get in the pool so they had to watch from the sidelines! ha They won't just float around in their rings.  They want me to hold them the whole time and it is miserable!  I'm hoping next year it will be a lot easier! 

 Brooks and Baylon!  The two redheads! 

This picture is old but I think it's so cute!  We were at Gigi's house for dinner and Ava was taking a bath in the kitchen sink!  I was outside and Ava thought it was hilarious that I was knocking on the window!  

Ava and Knox have started sitting in the diaper basket to watch Hi-5.  Sometimes they try to sit in it together!  Goofy kids! 

Olivia came to visit us too!  It was so good to see my long lost friend!  It was fun to have a date night with B too!  Come back soon O! 

Big Kids!

We celebrated Fathers Day with my dad last week at his house.  He sat up a big kids table for the babies.  They loved it! I think they felt really cool eating at the table like us and with silverware!  We bring a mess wherever we go!  It's hard to tell in the picture but there was food all over the floor and all over the babies! 

They are still obsessed with corn on the cob.  They hold onto it for dear life!  Ava was crawling around the house with her cob in her hand!  When she started that I had to take it away! 

 Thanks for having us over dad the food was delicious as usual and Happy Fathers day!

Splash

Camp Elliott is in full swing and we have been taking lots of field trips! 

Last week we met lots of our friends at the splash pad in Bentonville!  I wasn't sure if the babies would like it because at this point Knox was the only walker.  They loved it!  They splashed and played for hours!  

Brooks, Noah, Miller, and Ava hanging out around their favorite fountain (the broken one that didn't splash very far!)!

Knox was wild.  He ran all over the place!  He had so much fun!  Oh and his shoes were on the wrong feet but I couldn't get him to stop long enough to fix them! 

Miss Ava checking out the water!

Brooksy and Me!

Leigh, Sailor, Baylon, and Barrett came too! 

Allison set out quite the baby buffet!  Such a good mommy!  Of course my kids went to town!  You would think I never fed them!  For some reason everyone else's food taste better than their own! 

 Our little group took over the splash pad! 

Brooks! 

My cutie!  I can't wait to take him back now that he is walking everywhere! 

I would highly recommend the splash pad!  You do have to drive and it is a pain to pack bathing suits, clothes, etc,  but you don't have to worry about floaties and drowning!  That's always a plus! 

The Boots

These red boots have caused quite a stir at our house!  I spotted them at Old Navy and they were super cheap!  I thought Ava could wear them to the rodeo this week.  They are a little big on A but they will work! She could even wear them on the fourth with her new shirt Jennifer made her too! 

But then Knox spotted them.  The kid is OBSESSED!  He has always loved shoes but he really loves these boots!  When they aren't on his feet he is carrying them around the house with him.  I think I might be making a trip to Cavenders soon!  He might need a little cowboy hat too and maybe a pony!  Just kidding!

Such a cutie!

One Million Degrees

What do you do when it is a million degrees outside????

You wait on daddy to get home from work to fill up the baby pool and then you get naked!  

Or you swing naked...

Snack naked...

Or play with your water table...

And eat lots and lots of popsicles! 

Thank you again Dolan's for the fun popsicle maker!  Apple juice pops with blueberries are our current favorites!