Mom and Dad of the Year!

So here is my entry for Mom and Dad of the Year....

First, we had a loud thunderstorm the other day. Of course rainy days are always hard on us moms since the kids have a hard time getting their energy out if they have no outside time. So during a break between storms, we walked out to get the mail. Then Clayton asks if he can play in the puddles. I said that I supposed that would be okay. Off he went to make sure he touched every puddle in our driveway!

Fairly deep puddles I might add!

Just a little wet!Then the next night, we were sitting at home, just finishing dinner. Clayton, of course, was a little excited to have dad home and was bouncing all over the place. I mentioned that perhaps we should go to the playground to let him burn off some energy. Patrick jumped at the chance. So off we went to play on the neighborhood school playground. Patrick and Clayton had a blast trying to scare each other and race to slide down the slide first!
Some thoughtful swinging!
The scaring slide!! So yep, we are the winners!!

Holy Constellations, Batman!

The 4th of July has never been so much fun for our family as it was this year! We have always celebrated with family, friends, and fireworks, but this year just seemed to be kicked up a notch!

We started with a neighborhood parade in the morning. Clayton was so into picking up every piece of candy he possibly could, that I don't know if he even remembers the fire trucks, horses, or motorcycles! We decided we would have a Beare Air float in the parade next year and pass out popsicles....keep cool with Beare Air!

We then continued to the neighborhood block party where free popcorn and lemonade were being served. Clayton had a ball playing on the swings and jungle gym (that badly need replacing)! They served Sonic hot dogs and ice! Actually, they served tea, but we just got a cup of ice and added our own drink!

After going home for a short nap, some dinner and regrouping, we left again for the great city of Waxhaw, NC. It's about 45 minutes from our house to downtown Waxhaw. Here, these guys really knew how to party! They had inflatables, funnel cakes, cotton candy, BBQ sandwiches, free balloon animals, that were all part of their Red, White, and Blues Festival! Of course, all Clayton ate was cotton candy, a snow cone, and a granola bar. This combination hyped him to a place I had never seen before!

It was time for fireworks and we found a place on the grassy area to see the display. Clayton was already jumping around, excited for the "fire pops" to begin. Once they started up, the words flowing from Clayton kept us all laughing. As my usually excited, but not quite so hyper, son was watching the fireworks, phrases like "Go fireworks, go!" and "I know you can do it, fireworks!", and the funniest, "Holy Constellations!" were flowing from his lips. Where the latter phrase even came from, we have no idea!
Amazing to some, but not to me, Maecie was awake and unaffected from the fireworks. See, when I was pregnant with her, we were undergoing major renovations. It seems that NOTHING will affect her, even when sleeping. Sometimes it's the silence that will cause her to wake up. So the fireworks were quite entertaining for the whole family.

I love that my family can spend time together while celebrating our freedom on America's birthday. The 4th of July has been an exciting time for us this year. As the year continues, I hope that we can continue to experience the freedoms we are used to and share them together, as a family!

Maecie's Blessing

In our church, we bless our newborn babies. This is the first blessing they receive through the Priesthood that gives the baby a name and records their birth in the church records.

On June 20, 2010, Maecie Jane Beare was blessed. Her blessing took place in the Mtn. Island Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and was performed by her dad, Patrick. He was assisted by Pat Beare, Eddie Watkins, Adam Watkins, Ed Watkins, and Jimmy Webb (a long time family friend to the Beares).

Afterwards, we regrouped at our home for a generous meal. Those who came to support us were Da and Papa Watkins, Libby and Jacqueline Rhodes, Layne and Anna Harvey with their two girls, Mina and Calla, Tim, Terry and Sarah Harvey, Adam and Ann Watkins, Miranda and Eddie Watkins, Pat and Pattie Beare with Savannah, Ethan and Alex, and Aunt Lois. It was a great time for family to join together to celebrate the birth of our little girl and we are grateful for all of their efforts to attend. Maecie looked absolutely adorable in her white dress and head band.

I always intend to take family pictures at these events. However, I have a difficult time playing hostess, as well as photographer and mom. I will work on this!