Family

The last few days have been very much about family.  We lost a family member last week and said goodbye to her Thursday and Friday.  It's in these times that you see how strong the bonds of family are - blood or not.  

Last night I went to a benefit for a family friend - 27 years old and just diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer.  The amount of people that showed up to support her and her family not only by being there but by donating items for auctions and raffles and then buying the tickets and such to win them.  It was utterly amazing - over 800 people!

Going into Thanksgiving week, I feel very lucky to have such great people in my life.  Both those I am related to by blood and those that have become my family over the years!

Houston...

I am heading to see the Twin for a long weekend!  I can't wait.  This mini vacation will be a much needed break from work.  I'm pretty sure she has a full weekend planned.  Can't wait to get there :)

This is my favorite photo of us. 

Grandmom King

Today would have been my Grandmom's 88th birthday.  She passed away more then 20 years ago.  But today we celebrated her anyway.  This is the tail end of what we have called "birthday week" for as long as I can remember.  It starts with my  mom on the 10th, my aunt is on the 12th, Gmom on 15th and my little sister on the 17th.  That's a lot in one week!  There have been some boyfriends in and out of the mix as well.  Crazy none the less.

We all went to my Gpop's house, about 32 people in all for a end of summer cookout.  All the necessities were there - hot dogs, buyers, potato salad, pasta salad, deviled eggs, corn on the cob, and of course cake and ice cream!  Sorry no food pics.  It was gone in a flash.

It was a great day and a fantastic way to wrap up the summer.  Though I am still in denial...

Weekend Fun

It's been a while since I did a weekend recap, but since the Twin did one today on {her blog}, I thought I would too.

It was a quick weekend but a good one.  Friday was pretty low key because my parents didn't get there with the Twin until after 11 and everyone was beat.

Saturday morning we got up and went to the Maritime festival at the lighthouse.  There was too much going on right around the lighthouse to get a good picture, I will go back to get a good one.  I did get a great shot of the old coast guard station next door.

After that it was right to the beach!  We stayed until 6 pm and it was wonderful.  I think I could sit there all day and be perfectly happy.  Here I am with both sisters.

Our spot all day....

It was Christmas in July so Santa made an appearance on the beach - candy canes and all!

We were with family friends on the beach so I did a quick little photo session with them.  I have a long way to go to be near good at this but I enjoy taking pictures and this one came out pretty good.  Love the pig tails on Lily in the middle.

 This is my nephew from last year to this year.  Crazy how big he has gotten.  That's my parents on either side of him.  I didn't take these the same on purpose, but I think we will need to keep doing this for the next few years.  He is so damn cute!

Sunday was a repeat of Saturday minus the festival.  I got home Sunday night and had to celebrate National Ice Cream Day!!

 Have a great week!

I love my Mom a Brunch

Last year my sister and  I hosted a Mother's Day brunch at my house for our Mom, Grandmom and sister.  It was a big success and the Moms had a great day.  Since the twin couldn't be here this year I cut back on the food a bit.  There was still plenty and it was delicious if I do say so myself.

We had MOM-oasas!

Strawberry shortcake (Mom's fav), tortillini salad, shrimp, fresh fruit and bacon.  Missing from the picture a breakfast casserole that is a family favorite as well.

I had old pics of my dad and his brother with my Grandmom's card.  His brother passed away several years ago.  Seeing these photos made my Gmom smile!

I did the same thing for my mom.  I didn't have a ton of old pictures of my sisters and I so I was lucky to come up with what I did.  These were a last minute idea.  Next year I will plan better to incorporate photos.

And my adorable nephew for my little sister.  She hates when we call her that.  Haha.  It's crazy how much he has grown in the last 2 years.  

And this is my Mom's mom, my Grandmom King.  She passed away more then 20 years ago, and I con't believe it has been that long. I am the little baby in her arms.  I love the "Jackie O" look she has going on with those sunnies.  The Irish Blessing was hand written by her.

All in all it was a great day.  I hope the Moms really enjoyed it.  I know I did. Planning a party or get together takes me to my happy place.  For me it's the details are what makes the day or the event special.  And I hope it shows. 

What did you do for your Mom?

Mom

None of us would be where we are without her...

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

image via {here}