Day TwoHundred-FortySix

The beach + 9 kids = Nonstop chaotic entertainment

Day TwoHundred-FortyFive

Papa is known for many things but his number one claim to fame (within his grandkid population) is his famous French Toast.  It is talked about often, compared to often, but replicated by few.  So, it was a must that the first morning in Port A had to begin with nothing other than.... Papa's French Toast.  Other than blowing out half the fuses in the kitchen (only to blow out the other half the following morning) they were a HUGE success.  The average number eaten by most kids?  Three.  (Only b/c the parents made them stop there!)

Papa's Famous French Toast

Day TwoHundred-FortyFour

For the past 4 years the Finkel side of my family has continued a summer tradition of renting a beach house in Port Aransas for a few days.  It has evolved over the years from babies in the sand to kids (and parents) boogie boarding all day long - but either way it is a great way for all the cousins to hang out.  It is also a time that I take HUNDREDS of pictures.  To minimize my overabundance of pictures to weed through, I decided to focus on getting shots of all 9 cousins together, as this doesn't happen all that often.  Pure fun.

Day TwoHundred-FortyThree

Today I was unpacking the last few boxes filled with CD's.  Anyone that knows me, knows the true obsession I have with my music and movie collections.  I honestly have had nightmares about my CD collection being stolen.  Well, as new technology has developed, iTunes has taken over, and iPods/iphones/ipads have become the norm, deciding what to do with my 500 CD's is major dilemma.  You don't understand how much I dream of having an office one day lined with (yes, alphabetically) CD's, movies and books.  There is something about the perfect organization of these items that I love.  A few years ago, my hubby transferred every CD we own to our iTunes, but I still can't seem to part with the actual cases and discs.  As I moved all the CD's to an old chest for storage today, I had to laugh at what I found.  CD's that I would NEVER part with, i.e. my Billboard 80's collection, and then those that I'm not sure why I still have, i.e. Clay Aiken.....Nevertheless, they all still made it to the chest for the time being - even Mr. Aiken.

Day TwoHundred-FortyTwo

Yes, I was once addicted to beanie babies (oh, and I started way before the craze hit).  Yes, I have kept all 300 I own.  Yes, I have passed them down to my children.  Yes, I still have a special place for many of the first one's I ever owned.  Yes, it's weird.  ---  Today I was called upstairs to be part of Moe's "Beanie Baby Pet Shop".  She had them all categorized and lined up by type of animal.  (I think she has a bit of my crazy within.)  We were to choose the "pets" we wanted to purchase and then she listed them out for our receipt.  It truly never stops with Moe.

Day TwoHundred-FortyOne

To my drama-filled, question-asking, non-stop talking, hilarious, sweet and beautiful FIVE year old little girl.  You've been waiting months to "be big".  Today's your day...sigh.  Happy Birthday Cakes!

P.S. This is the same picture and post I used via FB and my iPhone because my CF card decided to crash on me, losing all pictures taken on Cakes 5th birthday.  Why does that only happen on days you REALLY want the pictures you take??  Very painful to say the least.

Day TwoHundred-Forty

While the unpacking process continues, more boxes are being discovered that are creating quite a stir with Moe & Cakes.  Today the excitement was due to two boxes labeled, "Ally's Special Box" and "Lily's Special Box".  These are two containers that I created specifically for a moment like today.  They are filled with newborn and first year of life memories - kind of like their own 'baby book' collection.  Moe was especially intrigued when she found the notes that were written by her Grandma, Papa, Aunts and Uncles (on Mom's side).  These notes were written for my baby shower, addressed to her, and were to describe a memory(s) that involved that family member and her mom (Me!).  She was quite entertained.  There were giggles (when the word boyfriends, shaved legs, pretending to be asleep for (Papa), and such were mentioned), questions (like what does 'sneaking out' mean, or how did you break your arm, or did you really do that) but overall smiles the whole time SHE read each and every note.  THIS was why I created the boxes and have several other similar 'memory containers' from different times in our lives.

Oh, and for the record, many of the memories I don't quite remember the same way as that particular family member!!!

And couldn't they have just said "Dear Ally, You have the most awesome mother a girl could have!  She is the best sister/daughter ever!" ???  Geez people!  ;-)

Day TwoHundred-ThirtyNine

While the parents enjoyed Sangria Saturday Cakes decided to sweep up the back porch a bit, in Cakes style.  Cakes is always good for a laugh.  

Day TwoHundred-ThirtyEight

There is something missing in this picture.  Soon... just wish is was yesterday!

Day TwoHundred-ThirtySeven

Staying up late + Early Morning Swim Lessons  = See Above.

P.S. What was Mom thinking signing up for 8am swim lessons in the summer??  Poor planning.

Day TwoHundred-ThirtySix

Get back to me in about 10 years.  This crew will be dangerous.

Day TwoHundred-ThirtyFour

What do you get with two little girls on a rainy Tuesday afternoon?  Tea-time.  Notice Mom's place is set as well... however, not facing the television.

Day TwoHundred-ThirtyThree

I'm not sure the big boy knew what he was getting himself into with Cakes around.

Day TwoHundred-ThirtyTwo

The weekend was spent in Beaumont celebrating the life of a man and father of a good friend that my hubby grew up with.  It was a bittersweet weekend, being able to catch up and see many people that we hadn't seen in several years, but at the same time, the reason surrounding the get together sad and difficult.  It made Father's Day that much more meaningful.

Mr. Awesome is the love of my life and wonderful Father to these two little girls.   Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful Dad's in my life..... especially the one above....

.....And the one below.  To my own Dad, I'm so glad we are both back home.  I heard it said this weekend that "his greatest success in life was his family" and it immediately made me think of you.  You did good.  I love you.

Day TwoHundred-ThirtyOne

You don't know how happy it makes me to have an organized closet.  I'm a little bit of a freak about it.  My sis-in-law says that we make fun of her wacko tendencies but really I just keep mine hidden.  There is a bit of truth to that statement.  Notice the few plastic hangers in the midst of the wooden ones up top.  It truly makes me cringe.  I know, I need help.

Day TwoHundred-Thirty

So it's not an actual photograph, but it is an original by me.  The hubs posted it yesterday on FB and it's been so long since I've really seen it (as it's kept in his office).  It's a house that holds many memories and great time with great friends.  It's no longer there, so in our memories and on print it will have to remain!  I forget that I can actually draw, as it's not something I do very often....hmmmm maybe when 365 is over :-).

Day TwoHundred-TwentyNine

Little Pig, Little Pig please let me in!  Not by the hairs on my chinny-chin-chin!!!

Day TwoHundred-TwentyEight

Dad thought I was a little cruel grabbing this shot while Moe cried, but hey, it became my pic of the day.... so it was worth it right?  Elbow and knee scrapes and bruises - just part of the bike riding territory - and she handled it like a pro (both getting her picture taken and the scratches :-) ).

Day TwoHundred-TwentySeven

When you are watching 4 girls and need to entertain the 3 year old, just pull out the bubble wrap.  It works wonders!  Instant zone out and pop, pop, pop, pop, pop for a good 30 minutes!!

Day TwoHundred-TwentySix

When going through yet MORE boxes I came across a still-sealed packet of stationary and cards from our homebuilder of our house TWO moves ago....which just happens to be 3 miles from our new house and the same builder.  However, times have changed, no stationary on this go round!

Day TwoHundred-TwentyFive

One of the things Cakes loves most since returning to the states is commercials.  I think it's partially the age and partially the fact that any commercials she saw in Jakarta were in Bahasa Indonesian so she didn't understand, and prior to that doesn't remember them.  To her, if they say it on TV it must be true.  She would probably be As Seen on TV's number one fan at this point.  And this is one of those items, the GyroBowl.  I don't how many times I heard "Mom, there's this bowl that I want and it DOESN'T SPILL!!"  It was even at the top of her birthday wish list.  So when my best friend brought this home to her, she was thrilled.  It's been a huge hit and she has eaten out of it almost every day since.  Oh, and it will spill if swung hard enough.... or barely at all.

Day TwoHundred-TwentyFour

This is what my life consists of these days.  Boxes, boxes, and did I mention more boxes?

Day TwoHundred-TwentyThree

Remember, my sunset shoot from yesterday?  Well, here is one of my faves.  Oddly enough, I met this crew in Jakarta and now we live less than a mile away from each other.  They are a wonderful family with two beautiful sisters and one spunky younger brother.  It's a Dad's day gift so we've got to keep this under wraps until after the big reveal.  And I'm banking on the fact that Dad doesn't follow 365!  But be sure to check out TheArtOfLife - Sessions & Such on Monday, June 18th for more from this trio.

Day TwoHundred-TwentyTwo

I had a sunset photo shoot today....my first one back in the Lone Star state.  This was taken as I was prepping for lighting prior to the shoot.  I love benches.  They have a sense of calm that come with them, especially when empty.  Can I go sit there, please?

....And yes, still catching up!

Day TwoHundred-TwentyOne

A bit of a cheat, as this picture was actually taken a couple days ago at my niece's birthday party, but I LOVE this shot.  So simple, yet it just screams "all boy" to me.... and in a house full of "all girl" I don't get that much!

Day TwoHundred-Twenty

It's so good to be back in Texas and close to cousins again.

Day Two-Hundred-Nineteen

This red & white striped sweet pea is another niece, who just happened to celebrate her 3rd birthday today.  I had several shots to choose from but just kept being pulled back to this one for some reason.  Happy Birthday Miss Olivia!