Party of Five: The Dog Days of July

July heat soared so we continued spending our summer days near water. Be it the beach, pool, or water park. It is such a relief to have easy access to water or I'm afraid we would go stir crazy sitting inside trying to keep a very pregnant mom, cool. The pictures are out of order but we kicked off the month celebrating the Fourth with Melissa and the girls at the beach in Oak Island, dinner in Southport, and then a last minute decision to stay in Southport and watch the fireworks over the water. Grayson feel asleep before the show started but Carrington was wide eyed and in total awe of the colors, sounds, and light show.

The water park was on the list before the summer ends so we headed to Myrtle Beach one Saturday and meet Melissa and Kelly for the day. Grayson is running head to head with Carrington on a love of water. This certainly wasn't the case at the beginning of the season but he has made a drastic change. They both have little fear and go straight for the water slides, water fountains, and swimming under water in the pool.

We really enjoyed a visit from the de Windt girls at the end of July. I was thankful to have Wendy keep me company as this pregnancy comes to an end. It was a typically visit with a trip to the beach, play time at the house, and one night out for dinner. Giselle told Carrington she was her best friend, and Carrington responded back with you are my best friend too! I love it, and continue to enjoy watching them grow up together. The younger too haven't noticed each other too much but that'll change when they realize how cute the other is!

July ended with a big birthday celebration. Katy turned sweet sixteen on July 31st!! I was sixteen when Katy was born and was able to spend the first week after her birth at their house in Charlotte. I loved being there then and love that I've been able to spend almost every other birthday with her. Happy, happy birthday Katy Bug!

Water park slides...

You can barely see Carrington through all the water. A huge bucket dumps water out every few minutes. I can't count the number of times she stood under the bucket.

Aaron is holding Grayson under the bucket of water. No tears, all smiles!

Cooking up trouble. These two are Trouble with a capital "T"!

Piled high and busting at the seams.

Playing nail salon!

Looking for her future partner in crime.

Beach loving runs in the blood.

No chance of getting a perfect shot of all four of them.

Dressed up for Katy's Birthday Dinner.

Birthday girl with her dessert. Lemon cheesecake! Lemon flavor being her favorite type of dessert.

Making wishes!

Birthday dinner group shot.

Red, White and Blue!

It was a sugar filled day as they had just finished ice cream but cotton candy was needed to pass the time before the show.

We definitely try and spend time outside when the nights cool off. Carrington is usually running toe to toe with Hayden. Grayson does his best to keep up with the girls. He is learning early how to chase girls around.