Meanwhile Back at the Ranch

While the boys were out in the wild being "manly men",
what did the women-folk do
to pass the time?
Soft music?
Manis?
Pedis?
Finger sandwiches & pink lemonade?
Nope.
It was a meat-eating, finger-licking, butt-kicking night at the Taylor
house o' women.

Now that's what I'm talkin' about!!!

sorry we didn't save any for you fellas...

Party Over Here... Party Over There

You Know It's Gonna Be A Party When...
Your 2-year-old is in charge
of a 165 piece bucket of bubblegum.

There are 6 boys packed into a Rhino...
with a 14-year-old maniac driving.

There are boys with sticks...
oh, and FIRE.

You get to enjoy Scott Carroll's
(smokin' hot) ankles
all night.

You eat hot dogs
for dinner
with a little dirt for extra flavor.

Oh yeah,
Father's & Son's
ALWAYS a party.

SPI... da man!

Watch out Spidey, there's a new Super Hero in town...

Therapy

The school year is winding down...
which means
Concerts
Graduations
Parties
Gifts
FINALS
I feel stressed
and when I feel stressed
THIS
is the type of thing I do

So...
if we don't have a decent meal
or clean clothes everyday
or maybe even a shower...
at least we'll have
Sharpened Colored Pencils.

Blog Blitz

Brace yourselves because
HERE
IT
COMES.

Have You Ever?

Have You Ever...

...BECOME so overcome with love for your children that you had to wrestle them down on the carpet and smother them with kisses?
...FELT so much joy at being with your children that you had to do an impromptu conga line with them?
...WANTED to nibble on some chubby cheeks rather than eat dinner? (definitely more satisfying)
...WISHED that you had no responsibilities & instead could spend an entire week (month, year?) partying with your peeps?
...BELIEVED your heart may burst from the sweet nothings they whisper in your ear?
...TRIED to put into words the immense love and gratitude you feel for a mother such as this?

Thank you, Thank you MOM.
for giving me
the greatest gift of all.
the absolute, unchanging
LOVE
of motherhood.
after all, motherhood
IS a party...
if you make it.

We Interrupt This Regularly Scheduled Blog Post

Yes, I thought I would be able to completely document the cruise-o-rama before moving on, alas, my mind has been deeply engrossed in "motherly thoughts" for the past week.
so, without further adieu.

FYI

Rookie Mistake

Cruise Wear & Cruise Hair

The cruise really brought out
the best in...
Cruise Hair
(thank you humidity + wind)

and
Cruise Wear
(thank you Jerry!)

Under the Table

And you thought all of the
fun happened
above the table...

Balcony Bliss

Eating my (near) daily
ice cream with peanut butter cups
on the balcony
with an amazing view
and the soothing sound of the waves

and my smokin' hot husband

Beckie likes this.

Speaking of beautiful...

5 Minutes to Pretty?!
Oh We're Optimists Alright...

Postcards

YES, it really was this beautiful.