The Fourth of July

I am having a hard time keeping up to date on blogger this year. I think it is partially because I am insanely busy with 2 kids...but the other reason is definitely facebook. Has anyone else noticed how delightfully easy it is to upload pictures onto your facebook page. I hold down the control key and click as many pictures as I want...and voila...I'm done. What is wrong with blogger? Do they not have the technology to make uploading a bit easier. Only 4 pics at a time...and you have to select each picture seperately...ugh! Needless to say, I would post more pictures, but it just takes too long! Anyhow...enough about that...I'll get off my soapbox. Sorry!

So...we had a great 4th of July weekend! Robert's brother and his family were in town from North Carolina and we had a big Holmes get together on the 3rd and then on the 4th we went to the Hixson's for delicious bbq and parade gazing. Good eats...good times...GREAT country! I love this place!

Haven, Kate & Nora

Thomas & Mere playing in the water

Cousin lovin' (Kari, Emily, Jody, Julie & Maren)

Gerald, Kim & kids

More Cousin lovin' (Savannah, Clark, Chad, Tanner, Maren & Kate)

Wouldn't be the 4th without sparklers...thanks, Phillip!

Daddy & girls at the Hixson's

can we say...SUGAR!!!

Mama & girls (Mere would NOT put down that giant pixie stix...she was in heaven!)

Happy Birthday, Baby Nora!

My little baby just turned 1! I can honestly say that I can't believe how quickly this past year has flown by. When Meredith turned 1, I felt like I was ready for it. For some reason, I don't feel the same way about Nora. She is still supposed to be my baby!! I can still remember bringing her home from the hospital and welcoming her into our home like it was yesterday. She was such a sweet little newborn and she is still as sweet as ever. Happy birthday, Nora! We love you so much!

Here are some of my favorite things about my baby girl: her big blue eyes and her long curly lashes, her cute little gap in between her two front teeth, her soft skin, the way she throws her head back and laughs, the little coy glances she likes to give, the way she says mom (not mama or mommy), the way she whispers "wasat" (what's that), how she loves to hold our hands and walk around the house like a big girl, the way her hands and feet start going around in circles when she gets excited or anxious, watching her play with her favorite toy (musical blocks), watching her bob her head up and down every time she hears music, listening to her laugh at Meredith, watching her splash like crazy every time she takes a bath, the way she points at all the pictures in books and wants me to tell her about each thing, the way she squeezes her curious george stuffed animal when she grabs him and how she snuggles with him during every nap and each night while she sleeps. Oh, how I love my baby!