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Month of the Karebear!

So our August became the month of all things Karabella, a.k.a the Karebear. Our sweet girl turned the big -5-!!! She got her OWN first pet. She even got her ears pierced!!! She also started at a new school and she became a kindergartner! So many B-I-G girl things happened for our little Karebear last month.

Kara's Island Beach Day Bash (5th Birthday)

For her birthday this year we had a "Beach Bash" at one of our family's most favorite places, Shell Island. It was simple and fun. All of our friends + their kids as well as the grandparents met out at our local spot at the Island. We had to move it back a day from when we originally planned it due to weather, but it turned out perfect. It was probably one of the most beautiful days of the whole year out there. We set up a small "party tent" and grilled hamburgers and hot dogs (which we do almost every weekend anyway!) Add some chips and drink, and our cupcake cake and you have a beach bash. So many kids and puddle jumpers in one spot at one time! Great day for a great girl!

Meet Tinkerbell, Kara's First Pet

Kara's birthday present from us this year was to grant her wish to get a new pet. We already have two dogs (and we were not getting another!) We tried the turtle thing, but Hunter brought home a snake (Lord Help us!) and took over the aquarium. And once the turtle quit hibernating it moved around alot...and we were having to clean the aquarium every day because it smelled nasty. Eventually Ralphie found a great little park near our home and was returned out to the wild. Checkers (the snake) unfortunately (for me) is still with us. Our home is like our own little farm! 

So Hunter and I did a little research and decided a guinea pig would be a great choice for Kara. Hunter also did some research on the best cage environment for guinea pigs and came across what is called a C&C Cage for guinea pig owners. One box of wire cube storage, some coreplast, zip ties, washable bed pads, and fleece fabric later....this was his creation! 

This thing is like a Taj Mahal for cavies (guinea pigs). Hunter built this about a week before we got the guinea pig, and I was so impressed at his thoughtfulness and thoroughness in making this not only for a new pet, but also for our daughter. He even had my mom teach him how to use a sewing machine so he could say he did everything himself. Our girls are so very blessed and {lucky} to have a father like him. 

So next we were off to the pet store. And this is who we found...

Kara named her (we think it is a female) Tinkerbell, but half the time we call it Piggy. She really is a doll. It has been about a month now and she has gotten accustomed to us. She loves to be scratched on her back. Her favorite thing ever is romaine lettuce and carrots. And if she hears you rummaging in the crispy veggie drawer of the fridge  or the sound of plastic being messed with she starts squealing/squeaking until you bring her some veggie snacks. 

Karabella Gets Her Ears Pierced

Karabella's other wish for her birthday was to get her ears pierced, and so this is what her Nonnie KK took her to do for her birthday. Her first set of ear rings are small gold dolphins with diamonds. When asked what kind of ear rings she wanted, she specifically said (I want them to have diamonds!). *Tears* A girl after her momma's heart.

Karabella the Kindergartner!

And finally the day arrived this year when the precious angel that made me a mommy took the walk to her first day of Kindergarten. I must say I was not emotional like some mothers are where they dread their children starting school. I was excited for this to happen. I was excited FOR KARA. She has been in daycare before and she went to VPK last year. She loves social interaction and she loves to learn. I was excited for my little girl to take another little step into a big world. I know she is destined for great things and has greatness inside her. I am excited to watch her grow into that greatness. I love you baby girl. 

Till next time, 

Katrina

Our Amazing {Crazy, Busy, Fast, Hot} Summer 2015!

So it's been since May since my last post....I have been a horrible blogger this summer! In my defense with Kara home these past 2 months, we were super busy....but we did have an Amazing {Crazy, Busy, Fast, Hot} Summer! This week Evy and I are trying to find a new groove since our big girl Kara started Kindergarten (Whooooo HOOOOO!!!). I made me a nice, not-so-little, list (You Know how much I love my list checking!). I have a little more time for my family blogging now, and "UPDATE BLOG WITH NEW POST"  was at the top of that list.

So here is our Amazing {Crazy, Busy, Fast, Hot} Summer in a nutshell!

Kara Graduated Pre-K!

To Start off Summer, You have to end a school year. Our sweet girl Karabella graduated her pre-k program. The school she attended threw the cutest ceremony for all the pre-k students, parents, and friends. Our Karebear was just to cute when she "practically" sang a solo during the "One Small Voice" song the students performed. With her birthday right before the class cutoff date she will probably be one of the youngest kids in all her grades, and right now she looks to be one of the shortest as well! So proud of our big girl and I know (and pray) that she has a BIG and BRIGHT future ahead.

Cedar Key Vacation

I did a post last summer about the Rowell Annual Vacation to Riverbend and the love and tradition that has been in place for that vacation for 30 years. Do to some unforeseen conflicts, I am sad to say that we did not get to go to Riverbend this year, but several us did get to meet up in Cedar Key, Florida this year. Here are a few of the pics to recap that week =)

I See You!

G.R. and Walker kayaking by boat

 

This is the trip home from Cedar Key. Miss Evy GG loves her some Frozen!

Vacation Bible School

The week after our Cedar Key Vacation, Karabella had Vacation Bible School. She loved it! Here is a cute video of the girls dancing to one of their theme songs on the last night of VBS!

Fourth of July

We had a wonderful 4th of July here in Panama City. Beautiful weather all week long. Kara taught her self to swim this week....and I mean she literally taught herself! She had been playing around with a mask and snorkel in the bath tub, and we got her to do some light underwater swimming in Cedar Key. We went out to the Island on July 3rd and she was swimming with her mask and had her puddle jumper on (if you dont know what that is and you have small children....you need to buy one! They are awesone and truly helps kids learn to swimming safety and floating!). She asked if she could practice swimming without the swimmers on, so we took them off and right before our eyes our little mermaid became a full blown fish! She loves swimming now and I am shocked and amazed that she learned how to do it all on her own.  

Kara swimming with Daddy at Island

Rowell Girls with their Daddy

4th of July with the Miles Family (Kat's Family)

During the 4th holiday, we also got a visit from one of Hunter's closest childhood friends, Uncle John! John has been living in London. This was his first visit back stateside since he left three years ago. And it was his first time seeing Miss Evy in person. Both of the girls just love their "Uncle" John. It was a great visit!

John and Hunter

 

The giant starfish Kara found

Lucky Seven 8th Anniversary

Hunter and I celebrated our 8th wedding Anniversary this year. With a Tuesday Anniversary after a 4th of July weekend (and already busy /packed) summer, our version of a good celebration was a low-key, no kid trip to the Island on a Tuesday afternoon. It's amazing how many bags you DON'T have to take on a boat when it is just two adults going to the beach. We got to act like the big dorks that we are and swim and fish to our hearts content (without having to be on guard with kiddos in the water!) We took our little grill and made hot dogs on the boat, and had two wonderful cupcakes with some Cupcake champagne that Hunter's parents sent with us on the boat. Nothing says "Happy Anniversary!" like sausage hotdogs, cupcakes, and champagn! Ha! Ha! It was a wonderful afternoon with just me and the Hubbs to eat, drink, and be merry as we celebrated 8 years. 

ShipWreck Island and Shell Island...Staying cool in the Water!

It has been a hot, Hot, HOT summer here in PC! We spent so much time in the water trying to stay cool. Whether it was at Shipwreck Island water park (We all had season passes thanks to Grandmama wahoo!) or Shell Island by boat, or my parents pool, or even our own water toys and slide....the only way to stay cool and stay outside was with water involvement! Both of the girls love water. It's amazing to me how my Kara has such fair skin, blonde hair, and blue eyes...and Evy has green eyes, dark brown hair, and can sport a glowing tan after one day outside! We definitely invested in some serious SPF for Kara and I this summer!

Water Slide fun up on Farm

Summer Fun Crafts

 We did lots of arts and crafts this summer. I have being slowly building a Handprint collection of the girls for each holiday or season that is displayed on our foyer table. This is one we did this summer. Kara's hand is the Palm tree and Evy's hand is the pink flamingo =)

Summer Handprint Art.

Homemade 4th of July Shirts

Paint Fun

Camping with Friends at Little Blue Lake

In early August we got to spend a weekend camping up on our friends lake. I must admit, I was a bit of party pooper at first because it was forcasted to be a nasty weekend weather wise. But I am so glad we went anyway (Yes, Hunter even I can admit when I am wrong!). It turned out to be a wonderful weekend, beautiful weather, and a great time with our friends!

Disney Princess Live!

My wonderful mother in law took Kara to the Disney Princess live a few years ago and she loved it. When I saw that they were coming to the civic center again I wanted to take both girls, but never got tickets. We were really blessed when a work friend of my mother won tickets on a local radio show and gave them to her. This time we got to dress both girls up and go see not only three of the great Disney Princesses, but Mickey Mouse and friends too!

Camping and Scalloping in Port St. Joe with Nana & PawPaw

The last few days before the end of summer my parents spent a week in PSJ camping and scalloping. The just celebrated 31 years of marriage and this was a bit of an anniversary getaway for them. But of course being the awesome parents and grandparents they are the invited us to come over anytime that we could. So the girls and I packed an overnight bag to ride over and see them and camp with them overnight.