oh, fourth of july.  i have such a love/hate relationship with you.  on one hand, your what summer is all about.  the lake, swimming in the pool all day, playing on the boat, watching fireworks, grilling out, wimbledon.  you're just so much fun.  and then you're over and it's the countdown to school.  wah wah wah!  it makes me was to cry to think about school starting back.  it happens way too soon in my opinion.  no one should go back till after labor day.  it's just not fair.  i can't even think about school without my blood pressure rising.  and that's saying a lot because i normally have very low blood pressure.  for now i'll just look back at the pictures that i did take of our super fun weekend and fourth of july.  unfortunately, i didn't get any of the boat ride to go watch fireworks.  we were with our lake "family" the moores and both the boys were as happy as clams sitting with daniel and ashley.  carson was all curled up with ashley and brooks talked daniel's ear off the entire boat ride.  he did not stop for one second.  that kid is either going to be a preacher or a politician.  the kid loves to talk.  miss shelby also made her first debut on the boat to see the fireworks.  i would have never taken either of the boys so young on the boat but she's the third kid.  she's good.

speaking of miss shelby cooper she is now 9 1/2 months.  what?  where did the time go?  she is by far the sweetest baby girl i have ever known.  she lights up when her brothers pay any attention to her, loves to eat whatever you put in front of her and the girl can rock a hair bow like nobody's business.  i would of told you before that i was perfectly content with my boys.  boys are sweet and easy and they love their mamas but this baby girl has stolen our hearts.  our lives are now complete and we didn't even know something was missing.

i can't even describe the cuteness going on here

seriously.  i can't.  

boating!

watching mom and dad on the tube

two pyros in a pod.  after they were done shooting of their little loot of fireworks brooks told andrew, "those weren't really that good."  andrew's response?  "just wait till next year buddy."  andrew is now determined to wow brooks next year.  it is his mission.  we are in trouble.  for now, the ones from the grocery store will have to do.

trying to get all 3 is nearly impossible.  especially since shelby is now mobile.  she does not want to sit still which usually turns in to brooks strangling her to get her to sit still.

getting better.  not sure why the boys are making such weird faces

cute.  cute.  cute.

pure sweetness

brooks and mini brooks with a bow

i seriously can't handle the sweetness

i love this picture.  ashley was on the dock helping me get some shots and i wanted to get all the kids with her.  first of all, you can see just how white all my kids are next to her.  seriously.  they are transparent.  sunscreen is bought in bulk in this house.  i love how carson is reaching for brooks.  brooks has his sly little smile and shelby is crawling away and looking back like what is going on over there.  it's a great shot.

as good as we could get.  we love ms. ashley!

no photo shoot is complete without aunt megan behind me making every one smile!

we figured out it has been 14 years worth of fourth of julys for us at the lake.  there is no way we are that old, clearly we haven't aged.  i wish i could go back and find some pictures from back then.  

and my favorite.  seriously, she makes it look easy