Sitting Down to Breathe

Holy heck. I can't remember a summer busier than this one, truly. I have so many posts waiting to be written, it's making my head spin just thinking about it. Between 2 brothers' weddings out West, many beach trips, a fifth birthday party to boot, eye surgery for Lil' Miss, too many doctors' appointments to count, tons of fun play dates and pool days, a lovely visit from Grandma, and a 10-year-anniversary trip in the middle of all that, we have been one busy family. But busy is good, because we have friends and family who help fill our time, and we would be lost without them.

So to appease the few who read this blog with some pictures of this past weekend, I present...

Eric and Meagan's Wedding; San Diego 2012

Ms. Bossy-Pants and her little minion after a 6-hour cross-country flight.

The Groom-to-be and Dad spending some hang time at the beach with the Bride-to-be and her fun family.

 Cute Meagan and her soon-to-be nieces with Grandma.

 Day 2 of our trip: Addison's DONE. At one point during the day, she sat down in the sand, exasperated, with puppy-dog eyes, and declared: "Home." That was minutes before Makenna ran off, up the beach stairs and through the parking lot, not to be found without 8 frantic adults running hells-bells up the beach, shouting her name...because she too was done. Ahhh, my kids are troopers.

Day 3: SAILING!!!

Makenna with Aunt Chalyse.

Is that not one of the cutest faces you've ever seen? (Addison's, although Drew's isn't bad to look at either:) This girl sat gripping for dear life to anyone that would hold her throughout the entire day on the water. Sea legs, she does not have.

           

Our final attempt at a family picture after almost 6 hours on the water. Wind-blown hair and rocking the weathered look: check.

 Day 4: WEDDING DAY!
Meagan and Eric were so relaxed about the whole day and everything leading up to it, I was utterly impressed. I think right before this picture (after the sealing and before the bride and groom made their grand temple exit), Addison once again declared, "Home." Can you see the exhaustion dripping down her little face?

Dad and his two younger sisters.

Presenting the new Mr. and Mrs. Eric Bird:

 Mom, Dad, Eric and Meagan. By the way, we were competing for valuable photo-op space with a few other wedding parties, as evidenced by the throng of people behind our family.

 Yep, you're right. Those are, in fact, my sexy compression hose that I only have the pleasure of wearing during the throes of pregnancy. I bet you wish you were me, right?

 My 2 favorite brothers and my new sister-in-law.

 Finally! We got a smile out of our ever-exhausted Addison. My day is complete. She sort of has a celestial glow about her, wouldn't you say?

 Makenna was in complete and utter heaven when Aunt Meagan let her carry the bouquet.  Then just when she thought life couldn't get any better, she was given the bouquet to take home...on the airplane...all the way to Virginia. Lucky us. Somehow she's ended up with both new aunts' bouquets after the weddings. You can bet this girl feels very loved.

 Cutting the cake.

 Grammy-poo and me after the luncheon (I think I may be too old to be calling her that. Nah, I'll give it a few more years.)

 The girls with their new aunt.

What a truly fabulous wedding and trip out to San Diego. We loved every single minute of it (minus the flat tire on the rental car, Makenna losing her brand-new shoe down a man-hole after tripping, the 3-hour delayed flight home because of insane lightning in Chicago, and losing our luggage). We are waiting anxiously for a chance to get back!