Girls trip in 5 days!

Hello World! Aka, my 3 random readers,
In five days I will be flying to Panama City Beach to meet some of the best chics around! Erin, Kerri, and Valerie! We went to High School together soooo long ago! Last year we took our first actual girl's trip to Dallas. We stayed in the swanky W hotel, shopped, went to the Ghost Bar, a dueling piano bar, layed in the sun, ordered room service at the pool, ate great food at Del Frisco's and laughed our a double s's off!

We meet again this coming Friday at the beach! I am ready! We've all been working on our bikini bods. Though none of us are at our desired end point, we have all been working hard to improve our already awesome selves! (ha) Thanks Val and Steph for the PUSH! We will miss our 5th member, Stephani, this year! It won't be the same without her!  

Here is a fun collage I made into postcards for these girls a few weeks ago to pump them up, (like we needed that!)

These women are spectacular! We have all been through so much. The strength of this group astounds me! So many blessings and trials in each of our lives. The support system we have is amazing. Most of us live far apart so this can be the only time we get to spend together each year. Our men understand the need for this time of relaxing and fellowship. The faith shown by these ladies is also just incredible! 

We have 14 amazing children between us! Yes, 14! That keeps us all super busy! We love our babies, but appreciate this time to recharge those momma batteries! 

We have been there for each other going on 20 years! (wow, that makes us sound too old!) I'm so thankful that God put these girls in my path when we moved to NM way back in the day! They are a part of me, they inspire me, they have supported me in my low times, and laughed with me almost all of the other times! These women are so full of love and life and I'm proud to call them my GiRlZ!

July 4th revisited!

 Brisket for the Fourth, DUH! Easy and delicious!

A little sample of what our afternoon and evening looked like as we celebrated Freedom and American Pride! I wish I would have gotten photos of everyone! A great turnout of friends and awesome food!

My dear sweet Nanny Kathy. She and her family came in from Louisiana. Isn't she elegant?!

My Godchild Thomas, aka Bill. What an awesome young man he has turned out to be! Very proud of him!

 Skip, after he made several funny faces.

The admiral (in the bump)! Momma's face not allowed.

A little love from my baby.

Mom's pool is always my favorite 4th spot!

 A detail shot by Louis Prejean.

Me and Luci, enjoying the water!

A lil more detail. Thank you Louis Prejean.

Brandon escaping Breeze's herding abilities in a very masculine jump!

The pool always turns into a trick contest.  Mason, I give that a 4. You need to point your toes!

My sweet, amazing mom! My hero!

And the finale. Fireworks show from the front lawn!

Mitch in action!

The photographer! Louis!

July 4th

Happy Independence Day!

As we all gather with family and friends to celebrate our country's birthday, I hope your day is filled with laughter, sunshine, and great memories. 

This morning I had some dear family over for espresso and melon salad. Both were music to my mouth! I am so excited to use my Moka pot on the weekends. Illy espresso is just too yummy! The melon salad was super easy, I cut up a small watermelon that I got in my Bountiful Basket 2 weeks ago. I also cut up a cantaloup. I julienned some basil from the garden and added crumbled goat cheese. It was fresh and sweet with a bit of tang from the goat cheese! I love that stuff! 

I have a brisket in the oven. I've tried them on the grill before, and my super griller hubs smoked one once, but they are kind of tricky that way, so some good ole Claude's Brisket Marinade overnight and 4+ hours in the oven works great for me! The house is smelling so delish right now! I can't wait to tear into that pan!
Happy 4th to all! 
xo,
BB