"4th of July.....Newport Beach"

I love the 4th of July!
We went to Newport for the fourth year in a row. Thought we were going on Friday, but didn't end up going until Sunday. Long story, but at least we made it! (and we ended up going to Portland with our friends to the Blues Fest on Saturday, so not all was lost!) When we got into town..........before we even checked in at the condo............we had to go to my favorite pizza place. I should know the name of it........but I don't. hahhaaha.....I do know it's down on Nye Beach and the best pizza I have ever eaten in my entire life. So good. Se we took the kids (+1) to eat first!

I didn't see much of the girls this weekend. They were on the laptop. And took forever to get ready. So we just saw them occassionally when we came back to the room for food. They kind of did their own thing.............they are teenagers after all.........had no time for us........

We piled in the car on a search for my sister and her family. We knew they were camping and what campground they were in but had no idea what camp spot and it was packed! We drove around for almost an hour and finally found them (no one was texting me back, so I just stalked them!.) In the last camp spot in the campground! The kids ran around and played latter ball and catch. Drake thought he was the man....................(not sure why Gunner is not in this picture?!)

I just have to say how much I love my husband. He is the best. Thanks for always having my back...............I love you ........................

We walked the docks like we always do. So much fun to do at sunset. That's kind of mine and Tylers "thing".

This kid makes me laugh...............love this kid!

Me and LeRoy and Tyler went to Nye Beach. The girls weren't ready and we weren't waitin'. I bought these silly headbands for this weekend. We got our $2 worth!

This is probably one of my favorite pictures I have ever taken of my son. He looks so cool and grown up. And cute! Day at the beach!

And this proves that white boys can jump! LeRoy made it! (the way back he may or may not have made the jump....hhahahahaaaaa).

My boys..........

It was so windy at the beach! Windy and cold. And I can't believe I got my hubs to wear the headband with"hair". hahahahahahaaaaaa.....He is always a good sport. He is married to me after all.............I'm always up for shinnanghans..

My son loves to dig in the sand! The three of us walked and hung out down at the beach for a couple of hours. Finally left cause it was so windy and cold. Sun was shining and was a beautiful day. Spent some awesome quality time with my boys...........

Oh..............the girls have surfaced!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think they went to town with grandma???? They look like they showered and got ready.............I saw them briefly and then we were off again to explore......

LeRoy and I walked down to the waterfront from our condo. We saw my sister and her group. Didn't have a single picture of Gunner from the weekend so I forced him at the candy store. I'm sure he was thrilled.....

We walked the waterfront and all the rinky-dink stores. Didn't get to hang out with them as much as I would have liked.........but got a family pic...............minus my kids..........hahahahaa

I hung out with my favorite 2 boys all weekend! (LeRoy and Tyler). We walked down to the Embarcadero docks and checked out where they were doing the fireworks this year. Word on the street was they moved it to the other side of the bay.

Had a good time. Watched fireworks and bonded with my boys.

"Blues Fest with my peeps!!"

We went to the Blues Festival with our awesome friends Mike and Erin on Saturday. LeRoy and I had never been so we were exicted and not sure what to expect. Very fun and interesting!!!!!It was on the waterfront in Portland on the Willamette River. We started out in the sun. SO HOT! Walked around for awhile. Decided it was TOO hot so walked up town to Pioneer Square. Erin and I can always fit a little shopping in! The hub's were so great and just went along with it......

Lots of people and boats and music.............

Witnessed a lot of "older ladies" in crocheted, halter tank tops (did I mention......no bras). The fashion police should have been called! Along with the "older gentlemen" wearing socks with sandles....Really?????

We came back to the festival and it was in full swing and packed. And so hot! So we thought "maybe" we could find a spot in the shade to move our blanket???????????????? (good luck with that!)

Well................never send the guys to do a girls job!!!! We needed to find shade. And us girls were going to find it! Erin and I walked thru the crowd and found a sliver of grass in the shade................so we asked some "older gentelmen in socks with sandles" if we could put our blanket in the little sliver of grass in front of them.....................They were more than happy!!!!!!!!!!! And then I said "ummmmmm.......we have husbands too. can they come too?" hahahhahahahahaahahaaaaaaaaaa..........the old guys thought us young hot chicks were hitting on them...........hahahahahhhaa............was so funny. (they were married, but thought they still had what it takes to pick up chicks). So we squeezed in and sat in the shade and enjoyed the music!

And of coarse we had to eat street food! Greasy, glistening fair food..............

I had a yummy, greasy hand dipped corn dog!! (and I got CARDED at the beer booth!!!!)

So after a day at the waterfront listening to blues and eating junk food and shopping. We decided to be adventurous and go downtown to Voodoo Doughnuts.......I've seen the Portland location featured on the Food Network and Travel Channel.

Wow.....there was a huge line! And we were a block from Burnside and it was a little sketchy down there. We drove down burnside and saw bum's fighting in the street...........Should we really be here??????? (Mike.......thanks for not getting us killed........and for being the driver....)

Well we can say we have been there......and stood in line on the street......for crazy glorified donughts!

We stood in line for about 1/2 hour.

Finally............we are in!!!!!!!!!!!!!Oh my.............they don't mess around here! Butterfinger topping. Donughts with fruit loops!!!!!!! Maple bars with bacon!!!!!! Pink-coconut cute ones. Coco-puffs..................are you kidding me???? These are all the ones we bought. hahhahahahahhah.........broughT them home for the kids and to take to the coast the next day for the 4th of July.

Mike looks like "the man".........he kept us safe from all the crazies!!!!!!!

We can say we have been!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (they were pretty good donughts).

We had a fab day hanging out with our friends. Thanks for asking us! Can't wait for our next adventure!!!!!!

"shrimp boil........."

I LOVE TO HAVE A SHRIMP BOIL!!!!!!!!!
I want to have one every weekend! Love to have friends over and cook for them. Love to eat the food. Love to cook the shrimp boil....... So tasty and fun. And since everyone knows how OCD I am about being organized.......I have everything all ready and contained in my cute little basket.

So when it't time to cook I can relax and have a glass of wine and visit.

We had Mark and Becky and their kids (+1) up for dinner.

The boys were no where to be seen most of the evening......until dinner was ready. hahahaa....They were tinkering around with computer/video game stuff. So us girls sat out on my patio and visited and drank wine..........(well............Becky and I drank wine......all the rest of the girls are too young!)

Becky and Gracie. Gracie loves to hang out with us momma's.....Dinner was delish! And obviously after dinner and a few drinks...............we had a brilliant idea to go to the dollar store and get candy!!!!! (last time it was donuts at Nana's house!). Well, we have a legal, licensed driver! Nicole will drive us!

Everyone PILE IN THE VAN!!!!!!!! (oh, the van.................) we were minus the dog this time. But I think we were dog sitting??????? Becky.........don't ever get rid of your van!

We found it neccessary to take fun pics in the van...................on the way to the dollar store..........to get candy..............with all of our kids............................Good times.............hahahaaa

And we continuted to take pictures AT the dollars store............ but before we left I had the youngest, cutest kids (Gracie) go ask the dad's for money...........we ended up scrounging up $10.00........

That's alot of sweets at the dollar store! Chocolate!!!!!!!

I'm sure we were disturbing the peace...........but life should ALWAYS be fun!!!!!!! The kids thought we were fun. And we thought we were funny......(easily amused!) and I LOVE shinnanaghans!!!

So we got back to the house with our stash..........................I think the kids ate most of it in about 5 minutes.........oh well..................they will probably always remember the "van-capades".......

And Luke is one of the sweetest little boys I know! He loves me..........and tells me I'm pretty :) and I gave him candy!!!!!!!!!

Fun Saturday night!!! We try and trade off dinner with the Bagenski's and this was our turn! Good food. Good company. Good wine. Good memories with our families! Yachat's is our next outing together!

"sweet little Emma...."

My cousins sweet little girl Emma had a dance recital!!!!!!!!
But before the recitial I needed to go over to their house for an "intervention". (not my 1st kitchen intervention!)
Emma had decided to cut her own hair. Just picked up hair on both sides and chopped it off! hahahhahahahahahhhahaaaaaaaaaa...........Not funny,.......but it kind of is...............
so I tried to "fix/blend/get rid of the mullet look" the best I could. She let me fuss with it. And lecture her about why we don't cut our own hair. And let me curl it! She pulled it off...... She is one of the cutest little girls I have ever met! And SASSY! And I love it!

Recital was adorable and made me miss my little girl being "little". Emma was the best dancer there (seriously.........she had the attitude!)

"snack-shack monster!"

When you get stuck at the admission/concession table at a basketball tournament (when your daughter is playing at another location!!!!!!! I need to learn to say NO!) when all else fails.
Take Tyler with you! He was a riot. We talked and laughed and took money and he ate more snacks that I had to pay for, then what admission would have been to get into the game! But he was charming........and funny. We sold more snacks at the game we volunteered for than anyone all day! oh.........but I paid for alot of those snacks.........hahhahaaa

How many dumb-dumb suckers can one 11 year old boy eat?????????????

"relay for life.........."

We participated in Relay for Life again this year.

Someone else had a camera so there are lots of cute pics floating around somewhere! If I get them I may post them someday. Didn't seem as fun as years past. I was tired from working all day/week and Nicole wasn't feeling very good. We did our assigned times and left at midnight.

"speaking of OCD heaven............."

I walked into Walmart in Newport.......and seriously......stopped in my tracks............
This is OCD heaven............................(so weird I know!!!!!!!!!!!) I like everything in my life to be in place and organized. And I can't control how other people act or react or when they are rude!!! but I can enjoy uniformity in my little bubble!

And this is just random..............(my walmart trip was kind of exciting! I really need to get a life!) I saw this and laughed out loud and sent this pic to my hubs. (funny joke with the names).