Summer Ease...

Summer breeze...summer ease.

Summer is such a special time. Filled with scrumptious foods, plenty of time in the sun, and lazy days to catch up on whatever your heart desires.

You know, the easy stuff.

This summer has been an absolute treasure. I have been able to spend it with the loves of my life and I wouldn't trade it for anything else in the world.

It has been filled with plenty of mid-morning and afternoon naps...

Plenty of smiles, playtime, and laughter...

laughing at daddy

playing with grandpa Porter's old toy phone

Who knew blankets could be so funny?

growing green things in the garden...

cucumber in our garden

time to craft and make homemade gifts...

hand-sewn napkins and crafted napkin rings for the future Mr. and Mrs. Winters

Mommy/daughter headbands for the Grigor girls

and just overall one of a kind, first, and happy memories.

standing and smiling for daddy

I don't want it to end.

Soon, the ease of summer will be replaced with the hubbub of the beginning of school and all it entails. But, just for now--I will continue to soak up every minute of it and cherish these long, hot summer days and everything they bring with them.

The days are long for a reason this time of year. And, I now know why more than ever.

A Year of Firsts: This Week's Episode: Happy Birthday, America!

The 4th of July. Independence Day. America's Birthday.

Whatever you like to call it--it makes no difference, as long as you can absorb how special the day truly is.

It is not just a day for fireworks, BBQ, parades and watermelon...it is a day to celebrate so many freedoms and liberties that we have the privilege to enjoy.

How lucky are we that we can be outspoken, quiet, unique, conforming, critical, complacent, happy, sad, religious, nonreligious, and every other synonym/antonym combo in the book? We all have our different views-- and whether or not you agree or disagree with the means, we got these freedoms because of the sacrifice of so many individuals.

Growing up, I have so many good memories of the 4th of July. Trips to St. Louis with fireworks under the arch, popping hundreds (literally hundreds) of dollars of our own fireworks at the Perkins farm just because my dad refused to stop being a kid at heart, fireworks in Bricktown, swimming, etc., etc...It has always been one of my favorite holidays because of the overall feel of unity in our nation for at least a day, and plus...who doesn't like to light stuff on fire and watch it blow up? (Without hurting someone that is!)

And although this year looked a little bit different, it still had much of the same and I wouldn't have traded it for the world. We had a little bit of it all...

A parade where we got to see Adam do one of his first official gigs with his new job.

Swimming and BBQ.

Fireworks on the roof after our sweet bug went to sleep for the night. And, even though I freaked out from being on such a steep slant-- I loved every minute of seeing all of the fireworks around the metro with my sweetie. (I literally scooted on my booty up the roof and down it--complete with me breaking down in tears at the end...neat.)

I can't wait to share more of these holidays with our sweet Mackenzie - I just know she will love all of the fireworks and pizzazz that this holiday has to offer!

June 21 - the first day of summer!

Birthdays are something so wonderful. I mean, who doesn't enjoy having a day devoted to just themselves? To be celebrated. To receive gifts. To have people purposefully contact you because they remembered that it was your special day. It is the one day out of the year when it is truly okay to be narcissistic...and I'll admit-- I love to play mine up and soak in every minute of it. It started at an early age when I loved telling everyone that my birthday was June 21, the first day of summer (an unofficial holiday, don't you know?) and has continued in the casual reminders to my closest family and friends once the month of June approaches every year. :)

This year I was truly spoiled in more ways than one. You would have thought it was a milestone birthday-- not just 27. But, maybe 27 is somewhat of a milestone...a bridge to the late 20's? A reminder that 30 is around the corner? Hmm...the big 2-7.

The day's festivities were absolutely perfect. I took a walk with my sweet family, had breakfast at Jimmy's Egg followed by some Starbuck's, lunch at home and a walk around Campus Corner, and dinner with my brother at Victoria's in Norman (Mmmm...lasagna rolls!!!). I got to spend it with some of my most favorite people and I couldn't have been happier. Plus-- the week got even better as I got to celebrate with family and friends at Pachinko Parlor for sushi, BJ's, and Jazz in June. It was wonderful to extend the celebrations and just enjoy the company of so many people that are special to me.

Baby Mackenzie and Addison checking each other out at Jazz in June.

Another reason why I felt spoiled was the sheer generosity around me of gifts, and thoughtful gifts at that. My husband remembered details from our conversations and gathered up some wonderful surprises, my brother got me two books that I had mentioned I wanted to read, my mom took me on a mini shopping trip where I got to buy some clothes, my in-laws brought me a watch and some fudge from London, and my wonderful friend group surprised me with some money for a jogging stroller- just because I had mentioned my desire for one. Wow! How lucky am I?

And even though I will love these treasures to pieces...the true treasure came in the feelings behind each one. I was truly overwhelmed and I don't know what I did to deserve the love that I felt on my special day. So -- to any and all that made my birthday extra special this year, I thank you, and say....why don't we do this again next year? ;)

sweets from my sweetie!