A slice of heaven on earth ... part 1

Last week so totally kicked capitol A that I'm gonna blog about it in parts. Warning .. this may come in 5-7 posts but I can't just put two pictures on here to sum up my entire week. Impossible. You may want to skip this entire post(s) all together .... if you weren't with me then some of it just might not make sense or even be interesting in the least.

BUT I was there. And will try to document my good time as best I can. It's a journal for me and I want to make sure I don't leave out ANY details so that in the future I can read and re-read and read some more so that those memories flow back into my mind and perhaps even make me feel as if I were there ALL OVER AGAIN!

I went on my yearly trip to see my best friend on the planet again this year. No words can describe what Ashley means to me. Days, months, years can not separate our souls. They are truly united. It amazes me that we connect so effortlessly after being apart for the year. Lots can happen in a year. But all the planets align again with that first hug at the airport...

Others on the outside may see our relationship as silly or goofy ... just ask Hayley. If someone gave me a nickel for how many times that girl rolled her eyes at us while there .. I'd be millionaire.

To say this trip was refreshing is a monumental understatement. It was food for my soul. My heart needs this girl. We laughed until our stomachs hurt. Giggled until we cried. Talked until our eyes were too heavy to stay awake any longer. I couldn't wait each morning to open my eyes to see my buddy .. and do it all over again. 7 days of this.

Bliss.

This year .. I left the boys behind with Sean so they could have a 'boys week' together. Took Hayley with me. A girl's week for sure.

Pete was out of town for the first few days I was there. Ashley JUST had a new baby ... a GIRL of course. From the pictures though - you wouldn't know it. Seriously .. she popped her FOURTH girl out .. and just EIGHT freaking weeks later she looks like a model again. She amazes me. Ashley is the most gorgeous person you'll ever meet. She's star quality from the inside out. The sweetest person you'll ever meet. Her looks can't get any more perfect. Am I exaggerating? You'll see.... I've got a million pictures to prove it.

So my tale of a girl's week begins here.

Hayley and I flew out early Wed morning. Got there with plenty of daylight still to spare. Of course when we got off the plane it was pouring. Which was fine ... I walked outside the airport and remembered what the south feels like. It's heavy .. humid ... and super hot. Even when it's raining. At that point I realized I wasn't going to be straightening my hair much that week. Wouldn't matter.

Ashton was the same ... a year older, taller (she actually is about an inch taller than Hayley this year) and sporting some new braces. If looking on the other side at Hayley .. it's the same description. Rachael is the sweet middle child. She reminds me a lot of Jackson. Just a good kid .. layed back ... taking it all in. She's almost as tall as I am (she's 11). Then Salem .. 4 this year and just as charming. Can this child be any more beautiful .. dark skin, crystal clear blue eyes and blond hair. THEN I met Tuscany for the first time. I'm not joking when I say that she is the BEST BABY I've ever seen in my life. I certainly wasn't blessed with a baby like this. Calm. Doesn't make a peep unless she's hungry. No joke. She sits and looks and smiles. That's it. Dark, dark little girl. She looks like Pete actually had her. Ashley keeps her covered at the pool and beach but she's still got the cutest tan lines ever. Just simply so sweet ... so much fun to hold and kiss all over.

Gorgeous girls .. come from gorgeous parents ...

And my Ashley ... I've never seen her with hair this long. AND BLOND!! We were truly twins. If you didn't know better and saw us together you would just assume we are sisters. Same size .. (okay okay - she IS taller .. who isn't??) .. same build ... same color hair now ... same skin tone .. Everywhere we went people asked if we were sisters .. Such a huge boost to my self esteem I tell ya.

And thus began the yearly adventure of Patrick and Spongebob ... reunited at Bikini Bottom once again ...