Jason and I have wanted to build a pergola over our back deck since we moved into this house - 5 years ago. Well, we finally have our pergola - but it isn't over the deck. We found a great little kit at SAMS Club for a great little price - 1/5 the cost of a custom built one. How could we pass it up? Our friend, Tim, who is stationed in Germany but back here for a few weeks came over to help Jason put it together.

The boys were all smiles.

I sure do love men doing manly things - like building me a pretty little pergola.

Once everything was done I grabbed the girls, stuffed them in their matching bathing suits, put them in front of the trusty ole' water table and made Jason pose for this studly picture.

We have BIG plans for this little space. We're headed to Lowes tomorrow morning to pick out pavers and a few more climbing jasmine to plant around the bases. We're even going to check out patio furniture...I tell you - it's going to be a luxury resort back there when we're through! I'm thrilled because the girls and I need a space to escape to when it's unbelievably hot outside and we just can't stand being inside anymore.

I left for a minute and when I came back this is how I found my family:

Uh-huh...Jason is sitting in a chair...spraying his children down with a garden hose.

He loves it.

I know Aurelia...I know.

I don't know what's more funny about this picture: Evelyn SITTING in the water table or Aurelia's incredibly large, grass-covered ham hocks.

Aurelia is not one to be left out. She too had her turn in the table.

For all you single ladies out there - this is our SINGLE friend, Blake. He's a pilot. He's funny. He's smart. He's an all around incredible guy. AND he's single. Contact me for further information.

She'll want to seriously hurt me when she's older for posting this...but I can't help it! It's so gross and cute and really gross at the same time! She's forgive me - right?

I can't leave you with that last image - so here is some sweetness to warm your heart. While I was in the kitchen cooking dinner I suddenly noticed the absence of high-pitched screeching from my youngest and immediately thought she was choking on something or had fallen and knocked herself out.

I dropped what I was doing and ran around the corner to find this sweet scene.

I love it.

We bought the girls a little water table for some outside fun and to help combat the heat - they are in love! It's the perfect height for Aurelia to hang onto and dip her little baby hands inside. Evelyn has the best time pouring water into the high tower, herself and her baby sister. Aurelia doesn't mind - in fact she relishes it!

Aren't the girls adorable in their new bathing suits? Thanks Gigi! They fit perfectly!

Peek-a-boo!

Look at these ham hocks!

"You talkin' bout me?"

Evelyn made sure Ree Ree got her bottle. Hydration is key people.

Except she was having a little trouble drinking it while sitting up.

"A little help Mommy?"

This worked much better.

While drinking her bottle she kept one eye on sister...

...who was busy at the water table and who kind enough to let Truman wet his whistle.

Ree Ree...always watching...

Meanwhile Daddy was hard at work inflating the water pad.

Someone was excited!

"Good job Daddy! Looking good from up here!"

Still drinking...but almost done.

The water pad was ready and Evelyn was thirsty!

So was Tru-baby.

All together now!

I love it when all the kids get along.

This kid, on the other hand...likes to cause trouble. See that devilish grin?

Yup...squirting water at me...but more importantly - at my precious camera! Boys.

My other boy - the well behaved one - was having a blast.

So was this little girl.

Evelyn dominated the whale slide!

Head first! What a dare devil!

Splash!

In the end I couldn't resist the lure of the sweet, delicious hose water nor could I be bothered with changing into a bathing suit.

It felt wonderful and Aurelia thought it tasted pretty good too.

I do realize how dirty my glass door is...but with one slobbery dog and a little baby who does this...well - I can't spend all day cleaning a glass door! Who would clean up all the poop?

What was all the fuss about??? Why was she so agitated???

Well...someone was enjoying a nice, cold frozen yogurt outside...and it wasn't her!

So I'm at the sink washing the dishes - focused on my work - when a little head pokes up from the bar counter and says, "hiiiii!" Little Miss Evelyn has decided she is now big enough to climb up the bar stool all on her own - whenever she so desires. Which means I now have to find another spot for all my "no touchie" items.

She plopped her tiny, diapered tush down and then marveled at her accomplishment and new-found freedom. I got back to the dishes - focusing again on my work. The next time I looked up this is what I found:

Uh-huh...that's a tomato. What kid sits down and eats a tomato???

This one.

What a big girl...and neat too! This little lady never eats without her "nappie."

I love you, Princess.