When I said earlier I'd knock out some blog posts I must've been on PCP. Getting eight people ready for an international trip is no joke. Scott left last Monday and that's when I kind of panicked. I mean, surely it wouldn't be that hard to get the other seven people squared away while I was gone, right? RIGHT!?! Well, here we are, nine days later and I have six little (and big) people packed, the toddler squared away to stay at the homefront with grandparents, eight bazillion emails to the friends and family keeping the bus humming while we're across the pond, 9 dinners and breakfasts in the freezer, 25 pages of instructions and fifteen forms filled out for schools, extracurriculars and the like signing my parental rights away. I need a Dos Equis. Or 10. Oh, wait! Sangrias are calling my name from MADRID. Port wine in PORTUGAL and sweet vino in ITALY. Yes, we're hitting all three, the Mister and I. I don't plan on blogging while I'm away, but I do plan on gramming. A lot. So, check me over there. It's a public account, so easy access on your part. Gotta think of a hashtag … [Read More...]
Whitakers Head West 2016: Part Six (the end!)
You can read all about our journey from Texas to California, and back, in parts one, two, three, four, five and six! Thanks for being troopers y'all. I mean, it's almost October and I'm just now wrapping up our summer vacation. I think we call that LIFE. There are probably close to 400 photos of our day in Arizona, but I'm gonna have to cut my losses and just show you the gems. It's time … [Read More...]
Whitakers Head West 2016: Part Five
You can read all about our journey from Texas to California, and back, in parts one, two, three, four, five and six! Our time at the Tierney household was beyond fabulous. Our kids got along beautifully, we shared way too many ice-cold Dr Peppers (and cocktails) and we found kindred spirits. I loved that the morning we left, we had to pull all our kids away from a rousing game of Clue. Here's … [Read More...]
How Sweet 7 Is: Happy Birthday, Luke!
Master Luke is seven. Some days it feels like 77, ha! What a life it has been with him. Today, he gets his birthday letter. This one's for you, big man. Dear Luke, Boy. You are full of energy. You're opinionated and gregarious. Funny and smart. Wicked fast and full of adventure. You know no fear. Well, except at bedtime when you come out and tell us you're scared because there's monsters … [Read More...]
Whitakers Head West 2016: Part Four
You can read all about our journey from Texas to California, and back, in parts one, two, three and four (and maybe five!). When we set the alarm for 6am, we kept telling ourselves it was really 8am Texas time. Not sure the kids bought it. But, when they finally woke up and realized where we were headed, all smiles. LA traffic was kind to us and we ended up being the first batch of crazy … [Read More...]
Whitakers Head West 2016: Part Three
You can read all about our journey from Texas to California, and back, in parts one, two, three and four (and maybe five!). Our time in the San Diego area was far too short, but we were really looking forward to our stint with the Tierney family and showing the kids "real LA" which, to be honest, is probably a lot like "real Austin." I had to chuckle on Sunday morning when we woke up and … [Read More...]
Whitakers Head West 2016: Part Two
You can read all about our journey from Texas to California, and back, in parts one, two, three and four (and maybe five!). Believe it or not, the drive from El Paso to San Diego was only an hour longer than from Austin to El Paso. How's that for a visual? Oh, and we GAINED two hours on this drive which made for - wait for it - the longest day ever. But, God gifted us with the prettiest … [Read More...]
Whitakers Head West 2016: Part One
You can read all about our journey from Texas to California, and back, in parts one, two, three and four (and maybe five!). Remember that time when we went on an epic road trip, like 3,600 miles epic, and I forgot to tell you all about it? I'm here to rectify that. I finally went through all 1,467 photos (yes, I counted) and found the very best ones and some fuh-nny outtakes just for … [Read More...]
