"the beach...is that way..."

anybody remember the SNL skit where the big body-builders would say, 

"the beach," and then they'd flex, "is that way." 

nope? just me? k, moving on.

this is what we've been up to:

6 boys

plus the beach

 plus tons of energy

plus new goggles and sand toys

plus lots of muscles and testosterone

equals one tired momma.

 --and we did it all in this weather. do i get an award or something?

we had a great time, but i'm ready for a nap and then a dr. pepper.

and maybe some chocolate. mmm. chocolate.

*note to readers: i did, in fact, take the above picture while driving. it was dangerous. but if it makes you feel any better, i can take a picture without looking at my phone or buttons. i'm talented like that. 

**another note to readers: this blog does not condone taking pictures while driving. 

do as i say, not as i do.

bridal shower

this is christina. she's marrying our friend cody. she's my new bestie.
after a few years of dating off and on, they are getting married following a 3 month engagement. finally!

recently i hosted a shower for her and thought i'd share some pics.

these are the cupcakes that we special ordered from a local bakery. the icing was HEAVENLY! i'm serious --like it was whipped in heaven and sent to earth for us to partake of. de-light-ful!
the theme was lovebirds. the lovebirds here matched the plates.

the tables had these flower arrangements as well as tulle with tea lights and sparkly jewels in it.
my friends becca and kylie helped host it and i think it was so beautiful!

and just because i know she'll be mortified when she sees that i put this picture up for all the world to enjoy, here's our friend leanna. grrr.

in my mind i'm going to carolina

here are my honey and i hanging out in sc with our dearest kylie and eric.

two years ago, we went out to dinner with this couple who were working on staff at our church.

we laughed, we cried, it was a great night. and the crying was mostly because of the laughter. they were pregnant and we were in the process of trying to become foster parents. they were young and random, we were young and random. so it was fate. the stars aligned as eric and kylie became our friends.



then...HORROR. they decided to move away this august to south carolina to plant a church. abandon me? i wouldn't hear of it. but despite my attempts at sabotaging their move, they left me.

i know...sad day...

how were our children going to grow up and get married if they lived in a different state? who would i eat at chick fil a with on a daily basis? who would help me paint my living room an obnoxious color of deep orange? these are the questions we have to ask ourselves when those closest to us are abandoning us for pretty leaves and southern hospitality. so after a few months the four of us packed up and traveled up to sc to bond with friends.




here's kylie and gabe. they're two peas in a pod.










here's my son's beloved. he will marry this girl, whether they like it or not. i've informed her parents of the requirement of a dowry, and despite this knowledge, they are still interested in our children growing old together.

she likes to say "HEY!" to everyone who passes by. she has a curly mohawk. she's every parent's dream.

she was a ladybug for halloween, and actually wore the costume, which is a step up from most kids.

we went to three different halloween festivals and had a great time experiencing the cool weather and friendliness of kylie's home town.





our kiddos had a great time. i can't post pics of monkey, but him dressed as an actual monkey is as cute as you can imagine.
this big guy was a racecar driver. very handsome indeed. he pretended to vroom vroom around the town square all night.

the trip was wonderful and although we wish they lived closer, it was great to travel up to see them.

at any point, i can pack up the car and be there in 18 hours. that is nice to know. :)

i might just leave for sc tomorrow. kids like long car rides, right?