Bahamas Trip with Friends!

Last summer we started planning a couples trip with our dearest friends, Jessica and Kris Jones, and Mr. James Murphy. Well...lets be honest, "We" didn't start planning this trip...Jess and I started planning the trip and a few weeks ago we finally got to go on it! We have always talked about taking a "big" trip together but ever since the kiddos have come along, trying to find time to take vacations that didn't include the kids seemed next to impossible. I think we all knew if we never pulled the trigger and booked the trip...years down the road, we'd all be sitting in our rocking chairs still talking about taking a trip! :)

This summer marks the 5 year wedding anniversary of both Duke and I and Kris and Jessica so that seemed like as good of an excuse as any to hit the road, or in this case...the ocean!!! So a few weeks ago, we left early Friday morning and headed to the Bahamas!!! It was soooo beautiful and we had such a great time doing absolutely nothing! Truly, we did NOTHING!!! We did however eat like kings (and queens), drink lots of fun girly drinks (Okay...the guys drank "men" drinks), bake in the sun, laugh our heads off and make some amazing memories.

Here are some of our pictures from the trip:

First night on the boat, so excited to be on vacation and still pale! :)

The islands of Nassau:

The beautiful island of CoCo Cay...we truly thought about missing the boat back and just staying here...

On the boat on the way over to CoCo Cay...

Jess and I enjoying being lazy...

The guys enjoying being well....themselves...

Two of the awesome people we went on this trip with...Kris and Jessica Jones...Happy 5 years guys! (Just a small note...Kris and Duke were roommates when him and I started dating so we have come SO far with these two! Believe me when I say, SOOOO far! Right Jess?)

The other awesome couple we went with...James and Liz! We are all so thrilled that James has found such a wonderful person as Liz and we all ADORE her!

All dressed up for The Captain's Dinner...

Our last night at dinner with our awesome wait staff....

Our anniversary buddies...

Thank goodness for awesome girlfriends!



My handsome hubby...and realizing we took a lot of pictures this night since I am in the same outfit in half of our photos!

And what do you do when you know you're never going to see any of these 2,000 people again??? You SING of course with your best girlfriends!

We had such a great time and are so thankful to have been blessed with so many things including wonderful friends over the past 5 years!

So Lucky....

To have a husband like this....

Our Little Fish

Out of the Mouths of Babes....

Addison was drawing the other morning while I was getting ready and when she finished, she brought this picture to me. Even though I wasn't quite sure exactly what it was a picture of...I told her that her drawing was beautiful! However, nothing could have prepared me for what she said next.

When I asked her exactly what this beautiful drawing was...she looked at me and said, "It's my baby brother in your belly!"

Really?? Where does she get this stuff???? I obviously have WAY too many girlfriends that are pregnant and a child with one heck of an imagination!

Precious Conversations With Addie....

Last night we were driving home and this is what I heard...

Duke to Addison: "Addison you know what? You're the sunshine in my sky."

(Long pause....)

Addison to Duke: "You know what Daddy?"

Duke: "Huh?"

Addison: "You're the clouds in the sky that make it rain!"


Have I told you today how much I ADORE her?!?!?

Celebrating Special Times With Precious Friends!

Our family had the honor of celebrating a HUGE milestone for a very dear family friends of ours a few weekends ago....Madison graduated from High School!

What seems like a very long time ago (in reality about 17 years ago) my Mom replied to an ad in the newspaper of a new Mom looking for someone to help watch her young daughter so that she could return to work part-time. All I can say is THANK GOODNESS Lisa posted that ad and Mom replied because the bonds that were formed from that moment on can never be broken. That little girl (Madison....and YES this is where our Addison gets her name) is no longer so little and she now has two beautiful sisters that will soon follow in her footsteps.

Congratulations Madison!!! We love you!

Madison and I...hummm...16 years ago or so...still not sure if even that long ago explains these pants! :)

Crazy to think that she is now holding MY little girl.....

Addison felt SO big posing with Madison and all of her friends and it was SO sweet for them to include her....looking at this was a flash forward for Duke and I and one that we are NOT ready for in ANY way!

My precious family of three...

Duke hitting on Mom....just kidding! He never reads this anyways so this comment serves him right....HeeHee!

My sweet Daddy! Love him!

Addison, Madison and I....and yes I called Madison "Addison" and Addison "Madison" ALL night! Way too confusing!

Addison so proud to be posing with Madison...

And the lady who started it all...Miss Lisa! Thank you for posting a tiny ad that brought two families (now three) together forever. I love you!!!

Just A Typical Saturday Night....

Dance Party Style! Have I told you we have the BEST friends?????