Beach Fun!

Our annual trip down to the Oregon Coast(with the Wells, & Ruffs,) was once again so FUN!!!  We love it down there, it seriously is one of the most laid back places and you are forced to
 R-E-L-A-X which is exactly what my family and I needed.  The kids had an absolute blast together and are still going through withdrawals not being together everyday.  I have soooo many pictures and tried to narrow it down to my favorites, which are still a ton =)  I am sure I will add even more pictures once D, Laura, & I get pictures from each others cameras.  At the moment, I'm being lazy, and I really don't want to add caption to all of them, and most are pretty self explanatory.  Let me highlight a few of the things about our vacation, the beach house, and how we spent our days/nights~

• I spent so much of my time LAUGHING, there are still so many little scenarios in my memory bank from the vacation that still have me laughing now(Wells & Ruffs, you know what they are!)  This was so filling to my mind, body & spirit!
• We spent most of our time and days at/on the beach!  And let me just say that IT DID NOT RAIN a single day while we were there...that is UNBELIEVABLE for the Oregon Coast.  We could not have asked for more perfect weather!  While at the beach, the ladies and I sat around and visited, snacked, watched the kids run from the waves, play in the sand, make sand castles, fly kites, collect shells, rocks, sticks, wood, crabs...anything they could find.  We took pictures, and simply relaxed(shocking I know!)  The men also relaxed but the little boy came out in all of them so I think they did just as much running from waves, collecting things, and exploring the beach, and occasionally sipped on beer.  Richie made a fire on the beach one of the nights we were there, kids had s'mores and Uncle Richie supplied sparklers~it was awesome!
• Shane & Richie have gone fishing together(usually on Loon Lake,) since they were in the 5th grade.  This year they branched out and went crabbing while on the Coast.  They had a wonderful time, came back beaming like 10 year old little boys, and from the sounds of it, laughed until their tummy's hurt with all the things that were going on while fishing ;)  They caught about 200 crab, but only 1 was a keeper.  I have a feeling they've started a new tradition while down at the beach and will go again each year. 
• The house we stayed in was INCREDIBLE.  Absolutely perfect(and I don't use that word very much,) for the 3 families and our nearly dozen kiddos.  Each family had their own room and bathroom.  Ella & Liv slept in a bunk bed together, was pretty sweet(although the little stinkers stayed up til nearly midnight when we let them sleep in the same bed/room.  The house had a HUGE kitchen and table.  Family/Rec room, fire pit, washer/dryer, hot tub, I could go on & on.  We brought the kids bikes and they would ride up and down the street during our time away from the beach.  Liv took her first big spill on her bike while we were there :(
• Olivia got her 1st loose tooth the last day we were there! 
• We literally had the beach to ourselves most of the time, occasionally a few people or dogs would mosey on by.  I LOVED this particular beach.
• We made breakfast, lunch, and dinners together, it was like we were on an episode of sister wives(gross!  but it was so handy to have extra help!)
• We got to eat at one of my favorite pizza places, Fultano's, and went to one of the best bakery/coffee shops, Waves of Grain.  Both of those places are in Cannon Beach and while there the kids went to the a little shop they've gone to every year to collect rocks, and seashells.  The highlight of Cannon beach for me was to see one of my closest/best friends in the whole wide world...April!  We have been friends since we were 11 years old!  Our friendship is simple, effortless, and consistent.  We see each other sometimes no more than once a year.  However, when we get together, it's like a day hasn't even passed, and we pick up right where we left off.  I love and miss her dearly.  So seeing her was the cherry on top of my vacation!
• At night after we got the kiddos down, all the couples/adults would eat snacks, and I would usually twist every one's arm to turn the channel to CNN/Headline news so that I could watch Nancy Grace and the latest on the Casey Anthony trial.  I've been following this terrible story since It began years ago.  Richie had us all watch an episode from My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding(was so interesting, we laughed so hard.)  Otherwise we really did just relax and go to bed almost each night.  It was very peaceful, and relaxing and so wonderful to spend uninterrupted time with my family, and friends.  As my friend D would say, I stayed unplugged for most of the vacation, it was so nice not to be connected with my cell phone. 

A few other things I want to mention~We were truly blessed on safe travels to and from the Oregon Coast, I didn't go into labor ;), everyone was healthy(although my allergies are so bad,) and most importantly, created so many great memories once again.  I am so glad we could squeeze in one last getaway before baby #3 makes his entrance into the world. Thank you Ruffs & Wells for setting up a WoNdErFuL vacation down to the beach, it was by far one of my favorite vacations spend at the Oregon Coast!  I am sure I forgot a few things, but for now, that is the vacation story in a nutshell.  Hope you enjoy the sideshow!  If you click on slide show, you can make it full size.

Lugging around a chubby baby boy(at least I hope he is!)

I have always wanted a chubby baby, and so far, both of my kiddos leaned out.  My OB told me at my 28 week appointment. that I was growing "a chubby baby boy."  I can't wait to see him!  He was measuring in the 82% at that appointment, who knows how accurate that is, but I certainly feel like he's a good sized baby boy.  Based on how I'm starting to feel, I would be surprised if I make it to the tail end of July, my guess would be the week before.  We shall see.  Here are my 7 and 8 month pictures.  My belly has definitely G-R-O-W-N!  I am so eager to see this little man!

 7 months!

 32 weeks...4 days, a black bean burger, tator tots, & a caff-free coke later ;)

J & J's SuRpRiSe 30th Birthday Fiesta!

Amigos!

I will never forget when the twins were born!  I remember sleeping with my parents the night my mom went into labor.  Her water broke ;)  Bless her heart...she had no idea what was in store.  The twins came 6 weeks early, and I guess I should mention, she thought she was having 1, let me say that again, 1 baby.  A couple hours later she pushed Joseph Scott out, and then the Doctor told her to keep pushing because there was another heartbeat and she was going to have another baby, which minutes later would come breech, Jeffrey Ryan.  Can you imagine?  Because I CANNOT!  They were so teeny and sweet.  Had to be in the hospital for quite awhile, especially little Joey.  Man, I love these boys!!!  They have added so much joy to our family, I cannot imagine life without them.  They really can turn a frown upside down, they constantly make me laugh.  They are 2 of the most lovable, yet bratty boys you'll ever meet.  We tease them saying they created Hennessy humor(although Uncle Noel adds his fare share too,) which has now been passed onto my children ;) I have ALWAYS been so close to them.  They have been constants in my life.  Two of the best friends a sister could as for.  Everyone that knows me...also knows how protective I am of them.  I took on a motherly role with them at a young age, and had a hard time letting go of that.  They are two incredible men and I am so proud of them!  I love them dearly and couldn't ask for better brothers(I love all my brothers, but these guys are my baby bro's!)  I can't believe they're 30!  I cherish all of the memories I've created with them over the years.  I am so blessed they live in Spokane.  My kids love them to bits too, so they'd be so sad if they didn't have their uncles here.  They miss their uncle Noel so much and talk about him all the time(another story.)

Tabitha, Tara, my mama, and I(I really didn't do much,)  planned a surprise Fiesta.  It was so much fun!  The Mexican food was out of this world, we played Latin music all night, the kids played pin the tail on the donkey, the guys played cornhole,  we ate, and ate, and ATE, visited with family, and laughed all night long.  Was a perfect party.  Here are some fun pictures.  Tabitha has more, and got some super fun pictures, so I will add them soon.

Sweet baby girl Reegan(my niece)

Cousins~Jeff, James, Joe

Hi, I am the CUTEST senorita in Spokane!  I kept telling her she looked like Rosarita on the can of refried beans, or better yet, the lady on the box of sunmaid brand raisins.  Tab you are the cutest and I love you!

My cousin James' wife Elissa, Reegan, & I

Cornhole

If you look closely you will see the picture of Joe & Jeff in background.  Tabitha made the cutest invites for their surprise party.

Elissa, Reegan, & Tara(Jeff's Fiance, Aiden & Reegan's mama)

Aiden & his other Grammy

Uncle James & cousin James =)

Yaya & Papa with Reegan

Pin the tail on Donkey

Um...Joe's eyes in this picture, these guys crack me up!

OK notice again how CUTE Tabitha looks with her stash, I didn't know what the heck I was supposed to do here.

And again, no clue ;)

Sis wanted to be like the "big girls"

Beautiful

Haha...JP at his finest, being a little stinker.  My little guy who can make me laugh all day long!

Mom & Tab made these cupcakes, and Tab cut out these tiny little mustaches, they turned out so cute!

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One of the slideshows from Michael's Memorial

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Michael Thomas Obituary: View Michael Thomas's Obituary by Spokesman-Review

Shocked...heartbroken...confused...praying...hoping, for healing.  Last Tuesday I received news that I did not expect to hear...that my friend Michael had passed away on Monday afternoon.  I just could not believe it, and still CAN'T!  My ordinary day turned into a complete disaster when I finally came to grips that it was true.  But what happened, how, why???  All of these questions ran through my head.  Mostly because I knew that Michael was doing so well in his life, and was healthy.  So what in the heck? My mind raced, I knew it was something tragic and devastating...in which I would later find out it was.  I tend to not post overly personal information on my blog or on facebook.  But with this, I feel like it's a way for me to connect with all the people who knew, and loved my dear friend Michael, not to mention, I know he can see this. 

This whole thing just HITS me in waves.  I will be okay, and then I will hear a song that reminds me of Michael, see a picture, or think of him, and just lose it.  Michael's life was cut way too short.  He was in the middle of a beautiful song that he didn't get to finish...here on earth anyways.  I know he now has the best seat in the house, and is watching down on all of those who he cared for and loved.  But selfishly, I wish he was still here!  He has such a wonderful family, they are super close.  He would always say that his sister and mom were his #1.  They couldn't have asked for a better brother/son, he adored them in every way.  Michael and his sister were like bread and butter, I should say more like twins,  they were each other's constant.  My heart has already been heavy but when I saw his family last Friday, I was sure my heart shattered.  Whether you knew Michael for 2 minutes, 2 years, or 20 years, you were drawn to him.  Everyone that knew him says that about him.  If you met Michael, you instantly wanted to be his friend.  The day I found out what happened I wrote to him(on his fb wall,) and said~
"Gosh I am going to miss you! I had so much fun with you~whether it was sharing a salad with you at mizuna, sneaking in for a quick blow out while on my lunch break ;)...or getting spoiled on my birthdays with a fabulous hairdo. I LOVE that we are both music junkies and always shared our favorites. You have such a beautiful soul/energy. Such a WONDERFUL, caring, compassionate, loving, and generous friend/brother/son/person/STYLIST/artist. You have the best seat in the house now my friend. God Bless you. I ♥ you, and am going to miss everything about you, as will all of the people who's lives you were in."

Another friend of mine Gianna wrote "Michael. your friends and family are amazing. you brought really wonderful and interesting and loving people together and you made every one of us feel important and beautiful. I cannot accept that you are gone. please stay with me somehow and watch over me, and help me take myself less seriously! :) I love you and miss you more than words could ever say." 

The messages would continue, and in everything people have written on the obituary site, facebook, or email...they all had a common theme.  Because he was that special, amazing, and loved. 

Oh my dear friend, I wish I'd been able to say goodbye(for now) to you in a different way, however, I am so glad that you could see all the people who gathered to celebrate you last Friday.  My thoughts, prayers, and love continue to be showered over your family, friends, and anyone else grieving over their loss of you.  This feels so surreal that I'm even writing this, I wish you were here.  Below are some of my favorite times/memories with Michael.