fantastic

This picture speaks for itself - my cousin Shell and I had a fantastic time together!

Our first official order of business after she arrived was, as usual, pedicures!

And you already know I'm obsessed with cute feet and toes, so just get over it. 

We also listened to a lot of great records - that's right, I said records! As in vinyl!

On a turntable. Through speakers. And mostly our old faves, like Elton John :)

And it goes without saying we talked NONSTOP the entire 4 days Shell was here!

Look at my gorgeous cousin - lovely inside and out - petting my silly Luna!

(Luna performs the "Easter Bunny" - her devious no-fail plan to get tummy rubs)

No one is more animated or has a more beautiful smile than my Shell :)

Let's see... we were the *nonstop* taxi service for 2 carpools, 2 vet appts,

1 orthodontist appt, and taking Davy back and forth to his classes at the college.

All that besides grocery shopping, a certain runaway who shall remain nameless, 

 multiple loud band practices, scooping the Poo Garden... all my fave things :/ 

So of course, we needed a *lot* of shopping/diet Coke therapy! 

And don't even *think* that we didn't make a run to the Beverly Hills Sprinkles!

Shell had never tried a Sprinkles cupcake before, so this was her initiation.

She bought a dozen cupcakes for us, and she even got a cute Sprinkles shirt!

Pumpkin, strawberry, lemon-ginger, and their famous red velvet... oh baby!

We may or may not have been in a sugar coma the rest of her visit...

Sugar coma or not, it was SO WONDERFUL to have Shell here!

 ❤ I LOVE YOU MY PRECIOUS SHELL!!! ❤

P.S. Don't forget that it's my blog's 2ond birthday - stay tuned for give-aways!!!  

Best Buddies Ever

Okay I can't stand it..... are they just too cute or WHAT. This is my oldest son, the Red Power Ranger, and my niece, California Surfer Chick. They are both 22 years old. They are only 6 weeks apart. They are best buds. I absolutely *adore* them. And I've had them on my mind a lot because they are spending Thanksgiving at Surfer Chick's home. I'm sad the Red Ranger could not make it home for Thanksgiving... sniff... but I am so happy they could spend time together at California Surfer Chick's house. Especially because I know my sister-in-law (Sister-In-Crime) will be making a traditional Thanksgiving feast. And if you remember correctly, I am still trying to get over the trauma of a recent high school anatomy assignment and will not be cooking any type of fowl in the future. We are having pizza.
Just LOOK at how cute they are! They should have been born twins - they are attached at the hip even though they are going to different universities. They are two peas in a pod. They have so much fun together. They look out for each other. They dispense advice to each other. They shop together. They laugh and cry together. They expel heinous amounts of gas together. 
It has been so much fun - no, it has been a true JOY - to watch these two grow up. Here they are at the Cheesecake Factory. This was the time when California Surfer Chick ordered "the Chipotle Burger - but please hold the chipotle". We love to remind her of that :)
Here they are "helping" with Thanksgiving last year. I think they were burning something.
Here they are "doing the dishes" after our Thanksgiving feast. It's true: the Red Power Ranger has a great butt. 
This photo was taken when they saw each other again after being apart for nearly three years. So cute!
And needless to say, these two have many adventures together. I am thankful for them both. They are not only awesome kids, they are awesome people. I love them with all my heart. And wish for them many, many more adventures together :)

XOXOXO