I know, I know, I'm a slacker

Yes, I understand that I'm the worst blogger ever. I know I haven't given anyone any new information for quite some time. Am I sorry? Sort of.
So, what happened today that's so important that could actually get me to blog? Let me share a funny little story with you:

**note -- those of you that know Tyler will think this is funnier if you can picture him saying it**

My kids -- like most kids -- are dirty. They are like little hurricanes running around my house messing up everything in their paths. Sometimes I think they conspire against me just to see if I'll eventually snap. The main focus of their destruction these days is their bedroom (Tyler and Nicole share a room). I keep their out of season clothing under their beds in garbage bags. When summer comes I'll get them out and put the winter clothes under the bed. They didn't really know about my system until one day we were trying to find a lost toy and when we looked under the bed they found the bags of clothes. They love to play dress up and this new wardrobe was just too much to resist. So, they have been creating some interesting outfits and they wear at least 4 or 5 of these summer outfits per day. This not only makes a lot of laundry for me, but it makes a lot of confusion. Trying to keep straight what goes in the dresser from what's actually dirty and what needs to go back under the bed... you get the picture. Anyway, it's a little ridiculous how messy their room can get in just a few minutes. I spent an hour cleaning their room yesterday and within just a couple of hours, it looked worse than before I cleaned it up. Fast forward to noon today. Their room is still trashed and I'm too mad to clean it. Besides, they are old enough to put their stuff away! After lunch I told them I was going to put them in their room, shut the door and I didn't want them to come out until it was clean. Tyler looks at me with his jaw dropped and his eyes wide and says, "ugh, Mom, that's going to take freaking years!"
You're probably right, Tyler. I'll see you when you're seven.

Surprise Birthday Weekend at the Beach

"Surprise! We're taking you to the beach for a weekend of girl bonding!"
"Really?"
"Yup, let's go NOW."
"Okay then. Ben, good luck with the kids, I'm going to the beach with my friends."
That's basically how it went down Friday night. Me and 9 of my friends went to my parents beach house and I had the time of my life. I seriously needed this weekend. I didn't realize that I needed it, but I did. I was able to goof off and be silly and tell embarrassing stories all weekend. And I managed to eat enough junk food for an army. (Just so you know, for breakfast I ate chips and guacamole, 2 doughnuts, a diet Pepsi, and a banana. It all went downhill from there.) It was a wonderful weekend and I'm so grateful for my friends and the wonderful women that they are.
We were able to photo document a lot of the fun so I want to share some of my fun pictures, but I promise I won't share any of the REALLY embarrassing ones. :-)