It seems like it’s been a hot minute since I’ve posted anything here on the blog. I know it’s only been since last Wednesday, but it seems like a month has passed with all that’s gone on. We have been one busy family this summer, that’s for sure. Our latest weekend was spent celebrating my mom’s 50th birthday a little early, glamping out at my uncle’s house, and of course the weekend wouldn’t have been complete without a little shopping.
Last Thursday, we packed up the car and headed out on a three-hour journey to my uncle’s house to meet most of my mom’s family for an early celebration of her 50th birthday. My family takes milestone birthdays very seriously, which means we pull out all the stops. We celebrated a month early of her actual birthday so one of my aunts who is currently living in Saudi Arabia (because of my uncle’s job) could be included in the festivities. Their vacation time back in the states just happened to be this month. Let me just remind y’all that my mom’s family is close, big, loud, and there are a ton of us. By Saturday night, there were 18 people camping out at my uncle’s. Had the entire family been able to make it, we are talking 27 people under one roof. I wasn’t kidding when I said we are close, quite literally in this case. I’ve now decided that when we all stay at the same house it should be called glamping, because it took a few air mattresses to accommodate the crew. And let’s not forget the three dogs. Even Chapman had to join in on the fun. Some people might be wondering why on earth wouldn’t we get a hotel room? Well, I don’t know. We’re just crazy like that.
Friday night is when majority of the family made it to my uncle’s, so to get the celebration underway, we went out to the River Walk. The hubs stayed behind at my uncle’s to watch Charlotte. Such a sweetheart my husband is. Here are a few pictures from the night out.
Saturday is when the real celebration took place. We all went to a fun restaurant where my family sang Happy Birthday not once but four times. After singing the song to my mom, the parties around us felt that my singing Von Trapp family needed to serenade the other birthday honorees as well. My family was quick to oblige. Told you; we’re crazy. Here’s what a birthday dinner looks like in my family:
My grandpa always gives a blessing. He’s the best deacon I know. Don’t mind Charlotte. She can listen and eat sopapillas at the same time.
Here is my Aunt Rita and Uncle Ray, visiting all the way from Saudi. My family has been missing them tremendously while they have been gone. It was definitely a special treat to have them here with us.
I love this picture of my sister, my mom, and our little family. But excuse the iPhone pictures, please. Someone dropped the ball and forgot the real camera. And by someone, I mean me. Is mom-brain ever going to go away?
After dinner, we all went back to our glamping headquarters and sang some more. My family really is a singing family. Fun fact: at one point in time, my mom and her brothers and sisters had a gospel group. Now we just sing when we’re all together. One of my aunts brought her equipment to set up a karaoke bar in my uncle’s living room. We are never short on the entertainment. We all take turns singing, and we all have a few songs that are deemed “our songs.” It is tons of fun. If you follow me on Instagram (@kristy7graces), you might have caught a video of one of my cousins singing. Talented is an understatement.
Somewhere in the mix of our whirlwind of a weekend, we found time to head to the mall to return to the mothership, or Nordstrom, whatever you prefer to call that glorious store. Thankfully, the big sale was still going on, and I finally was able to partake in the fabulous discounts. Because Charlotte’s little feet are finally growing and because she is now officially a walker, she scored three pairs of new shoes. The picture below does not do the cuteness factor justice, especially for the little PUMAs. The glitter on the shoes makes these little sneakers my absolute favorite sneakers ever. The Mini Melissa brand is also a new favorite. They’re a little bit on the pricier side for a kid’s shoe, but they are so well made, have a sweet smell like a scratch-and-sniff sticker, and are super flexible for little babes to move around in.
Here’s Charlotte just looking at the people on the escalator, breaking in a pair of her new shoes.
So that was our weekend. How was yours? Is anyone else having a busy summer? I think I’m ready for the fall.
Talk to y’all soon, sweet friends.
What a fun family you have! Looks like a fabulous weekend! :) BTW, I always forget the camera too and no, Mommy brain does not go away! :)
Thanks, Carol! It was fun, but it was also pretty exhausting. Lol. I'm still trying to recover. Traveling with a toddler is so much work, but thankfully I had a lot of extra hands helping. I figured as much about the mommy brain. Oh well!
Thanks for stopping by again! :)
Glitter pumas! love! haha, your family sounds amazing! Love that huge group and everybody singing. That is the best! I bet your mom loved it all. And how cute is Charlotte in every single pic, love her eating and listening =)
Aww, thanks Courtney! Those shoes are seriously the cutest things I've ever seen.
Yes, my mom had an absolute blast. She even continued her celebrating through today. We on the other hand had to come back to reality on Sunday. However, I'm sure we'll continue to celebrate for the rest of the year. Lol.
Happy 50th to your mom! What a joy that you were all able to celebrate together!
Thanks so much! Yes, it really is a joy. :) We don't take our time together for granted.
What a beautiful family!!! Thank you fir linking up, such a blessing! Love, Juana
Thanks so much, Juana! :)