Insta Storage~Thanks to Shane, Mark & Tim!

So we decided to pull our house off the market awhile back. We love most things about our cozy little house ;)  The main thing is well, we are out of bedrooms, and storage, and garage space.  If only we had a 3 car garage, an extra bedroom, and a wee bigger storage room, then it would suit us just fine.  H-O-W-E-V-E-R, that's not our reality right now.  So we have to make do with what we've been given.

Shane and his co-workers did build a shed a week ago and it will definitely help, for now.  I really am grateful, especially to his framers who literally build the entire thing withing a few hours, they amaze me!  It's super cute, it's a little replica of our house.  We just need to paint the trim, and door and wallah.  I'm not going to lie, I had a mini breakdown this week when I realized all the extra "stuff" we have floating around our house, garage, storage room, bedrooms, closet's.  Bless my moms heart, she has been over here a handful of times to help me go through things.  We have made several trips to Other Mother's, Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Union Gospel Mission.  I had planned on having a garage sale, but when my mom was here last week, she kindly reminded me that I have 3 wks or less for the arrival of teeny tiny #3.  So, donating it was. 

I have finally realized that I am OK with the fact that I have no nursery set up for my little babe, we will figure that out months from now.  My children tend to be co-sleepers and so far, that's worked best for my family anyways.  So, he will hang out with Daddy and I in our bedroom.  As long as I've got some teeny clothes, burp clothes, bassinet, sling, diapers & wipes, a clean/tidy house, a decent stock of food, healthy kids/hubby, and LOVE...we are ready to go!  Back to the basics for this family!  As I often tell my kiddos "you get what you get and you don't get upset!"

I got some pictures of the kids and Shane from day one of getting things ready to build a shed.  I had to stay inside behind the screen so they wouldn't see me for some of them, so the clarity might be a little off.  Oh and I will take a picture now that the siding is on, and post it another time.

Digging up the grass =(

JP wants to big a big boy and use the BIG shovel!

Little Helpers!

Making Mud Water

For the pig pen apparently

Concrete Delivery

Concrete Slab

Framing Begins!

The kids were so cute, they kept hauling scraps of wood to Shane's truck.

Olivia dumping the wood into Shane's truck.

Little Buddy using his wheelbarrow to haul things out =)

In need of lunch break after all that hard work.  Olivia made this lunch ;)  and check out JP's drink holder!

Cute little shed is coming right along.

Funny how something like an electric drill can be so fascinating to a little boy.  He was so excited to watch and help, they let him help with the nail gun and he was over the moon.

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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