Beach

Once it hit 105 degrees here in this exhaustingly hot desert, we headed for the beach, where the temperature never rose above 68 degrees. Aden played....Ava sat. He loves the water, running toward the waves like it's the coolest thing in the entire world. Ava doesn't like water, or being cold and wet, the beach is not for her....she sat in her chair and played with sand and rocks for 6 hours!

4th of July

The 4th of July was a rough day for me....I was thoroughly and undeniably under the weather. I spent much of the day in bed, moaning, groaning and complaining, trying to pry out even a shred of pity from anyone who may have walked by our bedroom. Eventually, I had to roll out of bed and meet my fate...the shower. How warm streams of soft and calming water can heal you, I'll never know. Off we went to Scott's brother's house for a little McGihon family love.

Home made lemon ice cream with fresh, summer strawberries....and a vintage overlay to add to the nostalgia of it all.

They had no idea what to think of the fireworks

Hiding behind Grandma and Papa

Safe in Daddy's arms

26

I never understand why people dislike their birthdays. When my birthday comes around at the end of June, we celebrate it right. This year we had three different soirées with three different groups of people...my family...Scott's family...and our friends. My family has, in recent years, come to know that I need an entire week for celebrating, my "Birthday Week". On the morning of my birthday, Scott and the kids took me to a local diner for a happy, no makeup, feel good kind of breakfast.

(no makeup until Scott brought out my favorite Chanel lip gloss in the most gorgeous color ever...Blizzard...a little help from my boy)

A competitive game of Chutes and Ladders...

I FINALLY beat him!

A song for Mommy

I'm not a fan of birthday cake...in lieu of cake...my candles were perfectly positioned in a warm, apple pie!

Sometimes, your girls show up, and it all feels right, simple, happy. No drama, thank you. These are the kind of girls that will call you when your baby is sick and offer to make you dinner. They know how to drink with you when you're another year older, and they know how to pray with you when you're in need. They know you're favorite color, and buy you bracelets that you will wear again and again. They love your children for who they are, they don't judge your parenting. They push you to be a better person ever day. These girls have blessed me so much...and on this warm summer night, we laughed...

...we went shopping in MAC

...we wore fake Eclipse jewelry from our kid's happy meals...

...and then we laughed some more...

Hopefully I'm another year wiser, more loving, more giving, more lady like and more understanding. I know for certain, though, that I'm another year happier.