We've got Water Dogs on our Hands!

There's no question I'm a water dog growing up with grandparents having cabins on Lake Martin and Fort Walton, it's in my blood I suppose.  My dream would certainly be to have a home on a lake one day with the constant sound of a screen door slamming with friends and family as they come and go.

But for now.....

A few weekends ago, we enjoyed some time on the lake at the invitation of dear friends, and watching the clowns as they battle it out on the tube. 

Sweet Christian and his mommy

Chrissie took Tori on her first ride on the big tube, and she was so excited to be just like Emmy and Kyle!

But apparently Mr. Jeff was driving too slow for her liking....I cracked up as I looked back to find her little chin propped up on her hand, like she was so over this....Piece o' cake, right Tori!

With the tube deflated, it was time to get down to business.  We had dropped Rich off at his house to get things set up for (what ended up being a delicious) fish fry that night, Chrissie was rocking Christian to sleep with the boat, Jeff began instructions to the clowns on their first ever attempt to kneeboard!  Tori and I became spotters (and photogs, of course).

Kyle and Emmy both got up after just a few tries, and I was so proud of them for not getting frustrated and quitting!  I didn't even try!  Their grins said it all, and I knew they were having a ball.

It was another good day all around (if you know what I'm saying) full of fresh water, pontoons, teenagers, toddlers, best friends, my love, cold beer, fried fish, potato chips, sunshine, laughing, and loving. 

Have mercy, who knew you could love something so much.

The fried fish, of course.

OOC - The Outtakes....

Let me just keep it real.  We're not all smiles and poses.  But we all do have a camera (or phone) in hand at all times.  You gotta capture everything (see OOC Outtakes 2011).....

I'm not sure if this is 61's "bring on the 1st triemester puking" pose....or a "I'm gonna be sick just thinking about this, as I just left a toddler and 5-month old at home myself!"  But you gotta love her honesty!

And there's no faking THAT look of shock!

And again!

Team 3 and their Game faces.  I think they broke their cup.

AK and TT...thunderstorm wrestling.  Neither stayed dried.  And neither got a trophy.

Handstands are normal 'round these parts.  Though someone needs to work on toe-points.

I learned "instagramming" is too addictive. 

 Here, Oakes is posting a pic, Jess is "hearting" it, and TT is commenting on it. 

In other news, Jess is posting a pic, TT is "hearting" it, and Oakes is commenting on it.

I kid, I kid.

AK:  Blazer, does that cat have fleas, I'm itching?  (But seriously, your bicep is REDIC.)
61:  Are you metering, Jenn?  I'm ready.
Jess:  This sucks.  Hurry up.
Oakes:  Jess, quit pinching me, it's not that bad. 
Ginny:  Should I wear this belt or not, yalllll?
TT:  Seriously, I could've heat-pressed 25 shirts by now.
Rigsby:  I'm really pregnant.
Blazer:  This house will never be the same.
(While in the background I'm trying to figure out how my fat butt will squeeze in that tiny space....)

OOC Weekend 2012!

It's my favorite time a year again! 

.....Okay--no, I'm not busting out my Christmas decorations...second favorite time of year!  OOC Weekend, baby!!  With these lovely ladies!

A few weeks ago, I packed it up and headed to Florence, AL to meet my 8 college roomies for our annual weekend, one I will cherish each year, because no matter what is going on in our lives, and as busy as we are, things seem to fall right back into place as if we're all pulling up at the McKee House after a long day of class....ready to tap a keg!

Blazer hosted this year at her parent's AH-mazing house on the Tennessee River, where we managed to soak in some sun (and a little summer rain), adult beverages, and all the quality time we could in what always seems to be too short a time.

And what's OOC weekend without a little surprise, right Rigsby??  Looks like the twins will have to share their toys come February! 

Oh, but in true Oakes fashion.....she had a little surprisin' to do of her own....with a NOT EVEN 2 year old baby girl, and a FIVE MONTH old baby boy!  HELLO!!!  We're about to put you and Charlie on seperate floors after this munchkin comes along!

And there's something else that always gives us butterflies around here, and it's the unveiling of our OOC t-shirt that our rocking entrepenuer TT makes us!  Oh yes, we're those people with matching tees!  It's like our after-college date party t-shirts you just gotta have!  Heck, we'll be 70, still saying "OOC, baby!" on our girls weekend, sitting at Cracker Barrell in our matching tshirts! 

 And you're gonna be jealous, you know you are!

We left our accomodations poolside only twice, for a boatride.  And I mean, a BOATRIDE.

Midafternoon things got sneaky....  TT and Anna Kate disappeared.  And came back like this. 

I suppose it was only appropriate on Olympics weekend, right?

We proceeded to have the the most intense game of the "OOOOC Olympics" (note the shirt, love it TT!) of college trivia my memory-challenged brain could handle.  And it was hilarious!  I love that we leave our working, mothering, nurturing, business, budgeting brains at home--and can cut up and have such a silly time together!  And good grief, the questions these girls came up with!! 

And as required, there were winners.  (Though Jess and I demand a RECOUNT!)

Congrats, 61 and Blazer.  Your memory is astounding.

We did actually shower over the weekend, put make up on, and get girly.  Only because Turtle Point Yacht Club required us too, though.  We took a beautiful sunset cruise to dinner, and squeezed in all the last minute gossiping we possibly could before the end of an amzing weekend!

Ladies, I love yall.  What more is there to say.  I love our weekends, our "circle of friends," our inside jokes, I love that distance and time are just words with us.  I love that 14 years ago I walked into a crowded chapter room on bid day panicking, and walked out with yall. 

It must of been that Chimney Rock story that sold you on my normalcy.  ;)  XOXO

Niece Reunion 2012

My sister hosted our beloved "Niece Reunion" in Fairhope this year, and as required, chose a theme for us crazy ladies to celebrate all weekend.  None better could be selected for Mobile than Mardi Gras of course!!  She rented the cutest cabin on the bay, and decorated it with all the feathers, beads, and confetti she could get her hands on!

 Friday night as we all arrived, we ate a traditional meal of red beans and rice, cooked by my very dear friend Rich Warner, who a) just happens to be cajun and b) happens to own a catering company and c) can seriously cook anything from the bayou your heart desires!  And in mass quantity!  So if you're looking to feed your family, or throw a party, or even a huge tailgate, he travels (with this big ol' cooking trailer!)   And of course we devoured king cake for dessert, looking for that baby.

 

 No baby...  :(

 Saturday morning we were up bright and early.   Jessie and I cooked another cajun-Frenchy inspired breakfast of quiche for our favorite cousins and aunts.  Then we hit the road to the Mobile Carnival Museum to learn the history behind Mardi Gras. 

 

The whole crew....

 My sweet family on a Mardi Gras float

After soaking in all Mardi Gras had to offer, we went to visit our sweet Aunt Mae.  This whole "niece reunion" business is due to my grandmother's (Mimi's) big sister Aunt Vivian's request that all her nieces come to see her at the same time once a year for a big 'ol time.  Well, she's passed away now, but we still do this, just for her.  The only siblings left out of Mimi, and Aunt Vivian, and the other 7 brothers and sisters, is Mimi and Aunt Mae.  Quite the spry 81 year old lady.  And a spittin' image of my Mimi.

 Aunt Mae and Mimi are a year apart, and never left each other's side, living and working together in Mobile, until Mimi got married.  While here, the whole gang sat with Aunt Mae and listened to her stories....even a few on my mean ol' Mimi!  kidding!!

 After dinner and a beautiful sunset at Tacky Jacks on the bay, we headed back to the cabin where you could likely hear the giggles across the state line.  It was that really good laugh too.  The kind where you're not sure if it will result in wetting your pants or crying.  Especially my family, you really don't even need to know the inside joke--our laughs are just that infectious.

And just like that, another reunion, in memory of sweet Aunt Vivian, who loved all her insane nieces to pieces (haha) was over way too quickly. 

See, like I said....insane.....

We did our usual group shots, hugs, kisses, and goodbyes....until next year when Rachael hosts us all in Destin!

 First Generation...

 2nd Generation....

 Third Generation.....

 Normal.