A Favorite Place

Tomorrow the family and I are heading out to one of our favorite places for a long weekend with friends.  Because it takes forever to get 5 people packed and ready to go, I am checking out now and will be back next week.  I hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day weekend, where ever you may be!

Cheers to kicking off the summer!

Life As We Know It: D.C Edition

Yesterday we got back from Washington, D.C and I am having a total vacation hangover.

It has been a while since I was on the East Coast (with the exception of NY) and I had forgotten how beautiful it is.
From running around Ashburn, VA to visiting the West Wing in the White House, each day brought so many fun memories for the family.  Our friends truly created an amazing trip for us.

Since I am just too tired to download all of our photos right now, here is what was captured on our iPhones.

Thank you SO MUCH to the B family for hosting us!  We miss you already!

Siblings

This is them.  The Siblings.  All 6 of us.  Yep, there are a lot.  To make it even crazier, there is a 21 year gap between the oldest (that would be me) and the youngest.  Is she actually my daughter?  Many people think so.  I figured that since I share a million photos of the little ones and hubby, I should just start throwing everyone else in the family out there too.  I am sure they will LOVE this.

As much as we come from the same two parents, it is amazing how different (especially in the height category) we are.  We all have our strengths (and perhaps our weaknesses...but if you knew our family, you would know that we would NEVER admit this).  Regardless, these 5 people have helped define who I have become.  They are the reason I could never have imagined having only one child.  They are also the reason I am sad Baby Girl will not have a sister.  We have fought A LOT but they are also the first people I turn to.  I never realized when I was young how important my siblings were to me, but then again, we never do.  Today, I definitely do not take them for granted.  I am lucky and I know that.

The craziest part of this picture for me is that my brother graduating from High School was actually born when I was in High School.  Apparently all you need to do to confirm that you are getting old is look at your drastically younger siblings.  Though I must say, I look WAY better at his graduation than I did at mine.  I won't even show you those pictures because I don't have to.  See, glass is always half full.

Easter

Everyone is looking!!!!

Easter is one of my favorite holidays and this past weekend did not disappoint.  Friday night we had friends over to celebrate the last Friday of Lent with my hubby's fantastic fish tacos, Saturday night my sister, brother-in-law and their children came to spend the night and Sunday we spent all day with my family.  There really is nothing better than a weekend filled with friends and family.  I must admit, I was a bit sad Sunday night to see it all come to an end.

clockwise from top left: Our Easter eggs, cousin's sleepover, the Easter Bunny's tracks on our front porch, a little cousin love

Nana and Papa with the Grandkids

Easter Egg Hunt!

My incredible (and rather large) family

From Our Family to Yours,

Merry Christmas!
Wishing you and yours a holiday weekend filled with family, friends and lots of laughter.

Words That Are Too Real

If I die young, bury me in satin

Lay me down on a, bed of roses

Sink me in the river, at dawn

Send me away with the words of a love song

The sharp knife of a short life, well

I've had, just enough time

This song has always creeped me out but recently, it has developed a new meaning for me.  Long time friends of my family lost their beautiful 25 year old daughter this week.  It is more than devastating.  I went back and forth on whether to blog about this but I said from the start, this was an honest blog about life, and right now, life took a major turn.  My heart breaks for their family and the loss that they feel.  I have cried numerous times for a mother losing her child.  You ask the question "why?", knowing you are never going to get an answer.  Death brings to light just how fragile we all are.

I did not write this to bring you all down, but to remind you that every moment with family and friends should be remembered.  Call your best friends.  Smile at your children.  Kiss your husband.  Tell your parents and siblings you love them.  No matter how many times we all hear this, we always seem to forget.  Unfortunately I have been reminded.

God Bless You MLS

The Paper Mama Photo Challenge: Family

I have seen on a couple bloggers enter a photo contest at The Paper Mama and thought to myself what a cute idea.  For that reason, I thought, why the hell not give it a try.  The theme of this photo challenge is family and instantly a photo of my boys and I at Disneyland came to mind.

There are a number of reasons I love this photo.  First of all, it is me and my boys.

Secondly, we are all three holding hands.  This NEVER happens anymore.  Sadly, as they grow up, I am coming to the realization that they just do not need me as much anymore.  There were days when I wished that they would be less clingy.  That perhaps I could go a day without them hanging on my legs and begging to be carried.  Now, I feel lucky when they reach out for my hand or want to cuddle on the couch to watch a show.  It is amazing how fast it changed.  Luckily I still have a little one who needs this attention but what happens when that is gone?

Third, they are holding hands.  On a day to day basis, I am constantly dealing with the arguing, fighting, tattle telling of two brothers.  It could drive anyone insane.  But I know they love each other and pictures like this show that in the end, they are there for each other.

Finally, it is at Disneyland and who doesn't love a great picture from Disneyland!