Family Vaca 2012

Two weeks ago we embarked on our annual week at the beach with my entire family.  Once again it fulfilled all expectations of full family fun and beautiful beach weather.

The boys loved everything about the week and were at great ages to conquer the waves.  They both did very well at parent assisted boogie boarding and paddle boarding.  And even though we all got rocked by a few waves they were right back at it without a hitch.  Chris was in Daddy Heaven!

The week consisted of many cones of ice cream, sunny book reading, playing in the pool and hot tub, cousin hysteria and of course Duck Donuts.  We all joked at different points throughout the week how loud one house can get with 15 little ones underfoot, but in truth the joy that comes with all that cousin time is priceless and the adults enjoyed it just as much.

I think my only regret this year was my lack of picture taking - which I will chalk up to being way too pregnant on a vacation...attempting to give myself grace on that one.  But I did manage to get a few...

Daddy Love

Family Pic

15 cousins and counting...

2nd Annual Trip to Duck Donuts

Men at Work

One of many ice cream cones...its vacation right!

Busy Bees

We have been busy!!!  And while I could bore you with multiple posts I will just combine some of the events in the last month into one....

Guest Room Re-do:

While our guest room is awesome = large room, great closet, on-suite bath...it was lacking in the up-to-date style sort of way.  So, one of my projects was to redo it before the baby was born.  Here are some before and after shots.  And while I have still have some finishing touches to do it has happily housed at least 10 guests since its completion, including our first international student!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Pimp My Ride:

In August we also said goodbye to the Honda Accord.  The first car I ever purchased!  It was time to move to something larger as 3 car seats DO NOT fit across the back seat of a 4-door vehicle.  So after getting a lovely detail, snapping a few pictures and throwing it on Craigslist...I sold her in just under 4 hours.  It was a bitter-sweet moment as I soared in my victorious sum of cash on our counter and then plummeted back to earth as I realized I had left myself without a vehicle for an unknown amount of time.  With much kindness from friends and family for a week we were soon the proud owners of a Honda Odyssey = Hodssey (what hot moms drive)!  And yes I am lovin' being a "mini-van mom"...these things are just too sweet and way to practical not to rock out for a few years (or more).

Goodbye Una Nocha:

Hello Tortuga: