"another year older????? Really?"

I'm NOT 38 any more.............................
I feel like I just had a birthday....................................
Does that mean that I'm getting old??????? Nah...............you're only as old as you feel and I feel HOT. hahhahaaaa
Ok.................enough with the jokes. I had a FANASTIC birthday weekend at the coast with my family.
We were a little slow getting out of town on Friday. I worked till 1-ish. Wasn't packed at all (I'm starting to slack in my old age). Went to lunch with my mom and Aunt Michelle (when I should have been home packing). Then we had to go to the library so the kids could check out some books and I needed to rob the bank....(I mean make a deposit)..... I think we rolled into Newport around 7:00. Weather was gorgeous. Left town at an icky 98 degrees and it was 62 degrees in Newport. Perfect. We remembered pillows......that's all we need....

Oh.................an my little mini-bar..................we made white cosmopolitans :)

We sat out on the deck and ate chips and salsa for dinner (and LeRoy and I had a little drinky to go with ours).........................Can't think of a better way to spend a Friday night. All planned by my husband.........for my birthday............thanks Big Poppa................(Oh.....Donna- you were invited and didn't come....so I had one for you too.)

It was clear and the sun was setting after we got unloaded. We had an ocean view with a balcony.

We walked around for awhile. Watched the ocean. The beautiful sunset. Just enjoyed each others company. Just me and my husband and kids. Enjoyable. After the sun went down Nicole and I went to the workout room (I know we are a little crazy) and worked out while LeRoy and Tyler headed to the indoor pool. After we worked out we joined them and sat in the hot tub too.

It must not have helped out much because Nicole and I were both wide awake at 3:00 am. I hear "Mom, are you awake?"........"Ummmm, yes.....are you? Why are we awake at 3 am?" So we talked and she played games on her ipod..........I guess we eventually fell asleep. I never sleep good away from home. The next night it was Tyler at 2:00 am. "Mom, I'm hot and I have a tummy ache." So I said "Strip down to your boxers and go out on the balcony and get some fresh air and cool down". Another sleepless night. But my darling hubby got up both mornings and got me a latte at Starbucks so that made it all better...............

Oh, and he was flipping thru the TV channels when we couldn't sleep and found Big Brother After Dark on Showtime. Yipppeeeeee................Spoiler Alert.............

Saturday we got up and went to Newport Farmers Market. HOW FUN! And it took us all of about 14 minutes to go thru it. But we got kettle corn (yummy) and watched all the hippies. Then we took the kids to the Hatfield Marine Science Center. I can't believe we have never taken them there? It was educational and reminded me of the last time I was there about 25 years ago! The kids did enjoy it and knew alot of information. I guess public school isn't so bad. They are learning something! We enjoyed a scrumpcious lunch at the Rogue Brewery. and free beer.....

I found this speciman lurking around................I took him home with me. hahhahaaaaaa

Then we went to chach-ki shops for little treasures. Nye Beach shops. 2nd hand/thrift stores................Fun to just look around. We decided to drive to Lincoln City to the outlets (2 stores only.......Hollister and American Eagle) and Nicole wanted to check out the Goodwill in Lincoln City. YES...............my daughter............officially a Goodwill shopper! I love it! And she found a cute dress, brand new, with tags on it....for $6.00.. I am teaching her the thrill of a bargain........and plus then you can buy more clothes. hahhahahaaa
I took the pirate home with me too.................

After our long day of shopping and walking around, we went back down to Nye Beach to a little Pizzaria I spotted earlier in the day. Very eclectic. Live music. Hippie. Homemade pizza. So worth it. Best pizza ever. Then we went back to the hotel and Nicole wanted to work out again (work off the pizza!). I didn't feel like it....So I went to the workout room with her........after I put on my pajamas and read a magazine while she ran 3 miles on the treadmill. hahhahahahaaaa.........and there was a TV in there so I watched BB after dark on Showtime. hahhahaaa..

Usually when we go anywhere............I'm super prepared with food, healthy snacks etc. Ummmmm.........this time................not so much. Tyler was cute and said I should have brought along my griddle and made "egg in the hole toast" for breakfast. No..............it's my birthday weekend and I'm NOT cooking..............so they had to settle for the restaurant in the hotel. Nicole and I split a bagel and a banana and I had my Starbucks...............so I was good. And they brought their food back to the room and ate on the balcony. Nothing wrong with that!The weather was PERFECT! 58-62 degrees the entire time. Shorts and sweatshirts. Perfect. Sunday the beach was a little foggy, but that didn't detract us from going down and walking. Nicole was complaining the entire time that she "hates sand". And it was getting her feet dirty. And it was foggy. And she wanted to go back to the hotel. That makes me laugh and just tease her. She got over it...................And the stairs back up to the beach were a good buttocks exercise.

And we were already checked out of the hotel so I had some other adventures in mind.

We went to the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse. Rumor has it that it's haunted................I can't believe I have never been up there. Or taken my kids. Every time we have attempted, it's been closed. So we went to the top. Reminded Nicole and I of all the old places we went last year in Washington D.C/Virgina/Maryland..............so cool. And the view from the top was gorgeous of the ocean. And the stairs were a good workout for the buttocks.

We dilly-dallied for awhile longer. Went and got smoothies and stopped at one more consignment shop and then headed home.(and found out later our good friends the Lynn's were right next door at the Shilo for a softball tourney!!!) A great weekend that was completely planned by the hubby...............Good job Big Poppa!!!! Awesome weekend. Thanks.. I love you..................Then we were back to reality and it was hot when we got home!

And my "real" birthday was on Monday. I took the day off work. Because I can.

Day was pretty normal. If you call going to the gyno and eating lunch by myself a typical birthday. lol. But we went to Corino's for dinner. And my hubby and kids got me lots of lovely gifts. I'm not used to being showered with gifts and attention for my birthday. I LIKED IT!

This romper was the sole purpose we had to go to Hollister in Lincoln City. On 4th of July she saw it and we never made it back for it. So we made it there. It was on clearance ($6.00!) and they had her size. Life is good. And she wore it to my birthday dinner.

I was tired (from NO sleep this weekend!) and just wanted to lounge on the couch and not go out at all. But I'm glad we did. Food was good. Company better. Gifts were sweet. Love of my family is the best...................

Still can't believed another year flew by so fast. Busy year. School is about to start. Crazy sports schedules. And I'm another year older................

Next year is the BIG ONE! I'm already planning my party. Seriously.

Maybe if I hide it won't come as fast as the last one.........

"the boys are back in town....boys are back in town"

My newphews Gunner and Drake are back from a 2 1/2 week trip to Missouri. Just texted my sister Donna to see if they arrived home safely and she said they are just exiting I-5 and almost home. Yeah! Can't wait to hear about their trip. Call me boys. Let's do lunch! Or the pool. Or whatever!

"yes......there is a dresscode"

Here are some of the outfits I am taking to Vegas.
(not the one I have on, that's just what I wore to work today to try and stay cool cause it was so HOT! Anything over 100 degrees is too much for me). But I might throw it in.
Kambria needs to START SHOPPING! These pics are actually for her cause she wanted to know what I was taking to wear. Some (most) of them are new. But I am a BARGAIN shopper and she wants to do it all in one day and only spend $100 dollars. It's possible, but don't expect to find what you want the day before we leave!!!!!!
This is where we differ drastically. She's ying, I'm yang.
I have been looking/bargain shopping for awhile. She will wait till the morning of our departure and go to Old Navy and buy "what works". ha ha. I have to give her a bad time cause that's what we do! :) I was gonna try everything on and have a little fashion show for the girls, but it's too hot. And I'm too tired. So I tried my best to get decent pics. But you get the idea. (and obviously I am into prints right now?)
*Now I'm thinking about accessories. And most of these outfits do have an alternate shoe option.* Too many choices to post. Oh, and I need handbags/purses.....hmmmmm.
(How many days are we going to be gone????? ha ha. I need options!)
I want to be comfortable and cool. Oh, and cute!

I might wear the purple one below on the plane. It's cotton and cool and it's my BIRTHDAY!

Here is my pool attire. Kam is going to laugh her *ss off.

Got my cover-up. Bling-y beach bag. Sparkly flip flops and floppy hat. Oh, I will probably have accessories for it too. ha ha ha hahahhahahahhhhahahaaaaaaaaa.

T-shirts that are pilley and BROWN are not gonna cut it sister! ha ha again!

This might be my Birthday dinner dress.Found these awesome shoes at Kohl's for $10 on clearance. I wore them around the store while I was shopping to make sure they were comfortable. They are. My son wasn't even embarrassed since he was with me. He's used to it. Poor kid.

More bargains. Earrings 80% at Kohl's. Gold flip flops Pac Sun $5. Liz Claiborne Shorts $14. Gorgeous shirt $20. See. You can look fab on a budget.

It's going to be hot, so I wanted to wear light, comfortable sundresses when we are not lounging by the pool. or at the spa. or eating. or drinking. or sleeping (have cute jammies too, but didn't post them!)

On a random note.

*I have some great pics to post from the lake on Saturday. Took the kids. Will post later.

*Is ice cream considered dinner?

*How many days are we gonna be gone again? Cause this isn't all my outfits, just the ones I got on this post so I can go to bed.

*Kambria's daughter asked her why she never wears her hair up? Kambria's response "because I don't like my face". It's not funny, but I was there and it was funny and I laughed my ass off.

*I am taking mostly white bottoms. shorts/capris/pants? I guess because it's cooler. But random that I just noticed. oh and all my dresses are a print?

*So excited! 2 more weeks. Gonna be a busy weekend.

My 20th class reunion is Fri & Sat night. 14th & 15th.

Birthday (16th) and fly out to Vegas on Sunday. Will have plenty of inappropriate pics to post when we get back!

"new york city"

I have so many awesome pictures from our trip.
These are from New York City, downtown Manhattan.
This is one of my favorite pictures.
It sums up what you think the streets of the city look like.
Hot dog stand with umbrellas and cabs and bright colors. I did get a "dirty water dog". Pretty good if you don't think about it! ha. But I can say I have eaten a hot dog from a street vendor in New York City...... check that off my list! My two favortie girls. We were headed out to a Broadway play. On Broadway. On a Saturday night. What is cooler than that?

The Chrysler Building is such a familiar landmark. Cool to see it from the street.

The ferry boat ride out to the Statue of Liberty was awesome. Was morning and cloudy but serene. I love boats and being outside. The rain subsided so we didn't get wet until we got to Lady Liberty!

My gorgeous girl LOVED the city. She wants to move there!

I can't remember the name of this street, but I'm going back someday. It is a street full of different restaurants and has tables outside. We walked down it and I wanted to stay.

So enjoyable.

I can just picture sleeping in, going to a deli for coffee in the morning, doing a little shopping and coming here from lunch. With my BFF and our girls.......

We walked down to Wall Street.

Was really cool because I used to work in that industry. (for a stock broker at an investment firm).

In front of the New York Stock Exchange.

Ground Zero.

This restaurant Delmonico's was the elite of elite back in the day. Rich people would come from everywhere to see and be seen.

It's still open but has had a lot of turnover with owners. Gorgeous building.

I have so many pics to post. More to come.....................................