Bathtime...again.

As cute as it is that Brody just "fell" in the bathtub and is frolicking around with his diaper about to explode...what I love most about this video is Maddie's swift arm of justice..."take an animal from him" (the worst possible punishment in our house (to her)). Hey, I guess when the shoe's usually on the other foot, you gotta jump on any chance you got.

First hair cut

Over the years I've threatened Maddie with fates worse than death, if she were to ever get even the URGE to cut her own hair. M's hair represents the hair I never had, and never will... soft, smooth, long, flowing and perfect in every way. Pathetic as it is, my hair lives vicariously through hers. Having said that however, it was time...time for her very first hair cut. M is a hippie at heart so it took some major convincing to talk her into getting even a couple inches cut. Plus, you can imagine after all the threats, the anxiety that scissors getting anywhere close to these locks produced. She was scared... but just like her mama, it's nothing a good juice box and hand massage won't cure. Since it was her first cut I took her to my salon. It was quite an event.

OBX 2009

Is 87 pictures too many? I couldn't narrow it down. Isn't there some song out there that says, "It's my blooogggg and I'll

do what I want to, do what I want to.." oh wait?

Our beach trip this year was great. My heart wants to tell you about the perfectly perfect details of every day, but my head says..."way to exhausting," so I guess I'll let the pictures tell the story. I should mention that we stayed on the 4x4 beaches this year which was totally cool...very secluded and "beachy". Being with my whole family for the week, the people who "know" and love me was just what I thought it would be, slightly dysfunctional;) and totally amazing! Miss you guys already.

ps. all photo credits go to my mom (which shot every moment) and Brent. thanks you guys.

We planned to leave at 7:00am...actual leave time 9:30am. distance to outer banks, approx 7 hours. Took us just over 10. seriously?

Justin's birthday was travel day (bummer) we celebrated with blueberry muffins.

This is what it looked like when we got to the 4x4 access area that night. It was dark and scary. hurricane Bill was blowing in full force at this point, and the waves looked as though they may engulf our car. none of us let enough air out of our tires (dad) and it was like a buckin' bronco ride going in; definitely some of my favorite memories of the trip:)

Maddie and Grandma shared a room. M was so excited to sleep on the top bunk; it's all she talked about for weeks. Too bad it only lasted till the lights went out.

The 4x4 beaches are known for their wild horses. We of course didn't think that we'd actually see any, and Andrea was hoping we didn't. She was grossed out by the thought of sharing beaches with "horses and their poop." Turns out though that they were everywhere, and ironically Andrea couldn't stop chasing them.

Brent did a photo shoot one evening (Brent and the tripod I should say) .

Is this kid seriously cute or what.?

Maddex and Brody became best buds on this trip. It was so cute watching them "work" so hard in the sand. Played together, cried together, slept together...but most importantly...occupied each other.

Whoa G.Q

I love the look on my dad's face in this picture...doesn't it totally say "Oh my gosh, I'm so glad I already raised my kids."

We ate so much on this trip. We went out one evening, and the other nights couple's took turns cooking a big meal for everyone. I'll just put it this way, if you are what you eat "I'm a big fat

ho-ho...three packs a day I kid you not! (best two pounds gained of my life).

One of my favorite things to do on vacation...read magazines and stare at the ocean. what's better?

Umm, what's wrong with this picture?

This may very well be the ugliest photo ever documented on this blog of me, but look at all those freckles...i have kids and i get freckles..what's up with that? good thing they've grown on me.

Apparently we're still 15; I loved being 15 though, didn't you?

Tanner's first time playing frisbee. what? turns out he's a natural.

I tried to teach maddie how to boogie board and she was doing great, until the first time she got rolled by a wave. The rest of the trip she pretty much pulled the boogie board around like an accesory. hey, may as well look the part right?

I love this picture of Justin, we have one at home when he was about six that looks identical. I guess it just proves that some things never change.

Mom and dad always go to so much work to make our vacations special. I seriously don't know how I lucked out with these parent's, but i'm talking JACKPOT here people. (love you guys).

Until next year OBX...