craft room make-over

One of the highlights of my summer has been creating a craft room in our basement spare bedroom. I've enjoyed following other fellow crafters on Instagram, and getting ideas! I've also done all my decorating on a bargain-type of budget. Lots of clearance pieces, thrifted finds, and other goodies have been repurposed in this little space. :)

dancing with the stars {tour}

Last week, Aunt Laura, our fried Ruth Ann, and I all went to the live tour of Dancing with the Stars. It was really good! Melissa Rycroft was the emcee, and some of our favorite DWTS pros danced the night away!

 Ruth Ann and me :)

 Peta, Emma, and Witney were some of the famous girls, and Val, Keo, Sasha and other guys rounded out the troupe!

summer flowers

We had lots and lots of rain in May, which has led to lush container gardens! I tried a few new combinations this year, and I think this is my favorite year of flowers yet. Here are my pots that are in the front yard...

i need a "catchy" title for this post...

One afternoon while Carter and I headed to the pool, Grayson asked if he could fish at the pond right next to the pool. It was a little overcast, and Grayson kept yelling for us to come over and see the numerous bass that he'd caught!

 check out that large-mouth bass!!

It was a great day for this fisherman and his little helper! :)

flippin' genious

The boys have both perfected their front flips off the diving board this summer. Here's proof!!

a fabulous 4th of july

 this may be the last year I'll get them in matching shirts -- someone was not too happy with me ;)

 they love doing their multi-colored hair, though!!

 love Mom's patriotic decor!!

 I made a fireworks cake for dessert

 Mom and me :)

 our family of four

 Dad and Mom -- such wonderful hosts for the night!!

 our good buddy Silas joined us

 Nana and the boys had stocked up on fireworks...

 it looks like AL is lighting Jerry's face on fire here...

 lots of roman candles!!

the inside of the fireworks cake -- we had lots of fun celebrating the 4th!

worlds of fun

Mom and I surprised the boys on Tuesday with a quick day-trip up to Kansas City to go to Worlds of Fun. We had been debating for awhile... it has been rainy and overcast over the past couple of days, but the rain was supposed to hold off on Tuesday. It turned out to be a perfect day!! It rained on our drive up, and on our drive home, but never while we were there! We were cool (crazy for July!!) and then warmed up as the day went on. Here are some fun pics from our day:

Nana and Carter

 As soon as we got to WOF, the boys wanted to hit up the log ride! So we did! We wore our ponchos and walked right on! Needless to say, I think we rode it at least 3 times in a row! :)

 Carter and me -- later in the day without our ponchos ;)

 Grayson going solo!!

 we also spent a lot of time driving the cars

I remember this so well from my childhood -- they look, sound, and smell the same!

 the boys rode the Flying Dutchmen (they're in the blue and red)

 the four of us had a blast together!

 Grayson and Carter on the mini-Detonator

I let the boys each choose a fun dessert before we left...

C chose Dippin' Dots and G chose a funnel cake!

What a wonderful day at Worlds of Fun! We can't wait to go back!