one of these things is not like the others - and he couldn't care less!)

The girls kick-started their summer with a party. 

A few of our friends were missing, but we had fun none-the-less.

We were almost an all girl household for a couple of hours. 

Bergen and Darren had manly things to do while the house was filled with pony tails and giggling girls,

 while Tate was perfectly content to join in the feminine fun. 

This boy is at home around any person, of any gender. 

He couldn't care less who you are, in the best of ways. 

He loves just to be around people (and let's be honest - where food is, there you will find Tate!)

After dinner, a skit put on by Noelle and Emma Bragg, and some time to just play, we sat down and watched this -

Thanks for coming. We had a great girly time with you all!

here comes the bride

 We kept it a secret until the very end. 

 The groom delivered her right on time - pretty and perfect and unsuspecting.

  Maid of honor Stephanie - a.k.a Cousin. 

 Laurie (mother of the groom), and Debra (dear friend extraordinaire)

 Bridesmaids - Stephanie (Nya on hip), Paisley, and Krista.

 Laurie - beautiful mother of the groom.

 Aubrey, the bride, and Kirsty, mother of the bride.

 Spencer showed up at the end and was just in time to open the last present, which happened to be from his mom. 

She put together a bag of things for their honeymoon to Mexico, including matching flip-flops and t-shirts!

Of all the photos this is my favorite! 

Darren had taken the boys out dirt bike riding before the shower began, and when they arrived home, an hour into the shower, things were in full swing. 

 It was standing room only. 

This is Tate in a house bursting with chatting, laughing, happy women. 

There are so many people I have to thank for this night, and although thank you does not seem enough I hope you will know just how grateful I am. 

First of all - thank you Emma, for sharing your day, your birthday, so that we could have this shower.

Thanks to everyone who came, including family from the mainland.

Stephanie and Kirsta - thank you for everything you did. I sincerely cherish the time we spent together preparing for this shower! 

Naomi and Laurie - thank you for the food you so willing and lovingly made for this evening. 

And dear Debra - the power behind the vision. Thank you for everything. From party favors to mini cheese cakes, peach tulle, punch, prizes, and tissue paper, from candies to table cloths sewn in the final hour - thank you. I love you.

Aubrey - I love you and I wish you the very best. I will be forever grateful that I was able to have this small part in this most exciting time in your life. 

Love, Shelli

The Last Straw

I was at Superstore today and I saw these really cute straws for 99 cents, and I thought, I don't have straws, I should get some for the kids {they are always asking if we have straws} and just to have on hand for get-togethers. Who doesn't love straws! They just make everything taste better. {Oh, and for the record I am a notorious straw bitter. So much so, that if Darren and I share a drink he will ALWAYS get 2 straws. Not for germs, oh, no - but because I bite!}

Anyways, I bought 6 packages {well o.k. I bought 12, but the other six packages were a different color, so it really doesn't count}. It wasn't until I got home and I was looking for a place to put them that I realized that each package contains 200 straws! I am sure that you can do the math - do you think I got enough?! 

Months ago, I bought these 3 metal nesting containers at Liquidation World. I use the biggest one for a trash can in the main bathroom, and the medium one is being used in the kids bathroom and I had the smallest one sitting on the bookshelf, looking pretty but not really doing anything. So I used it. It fit all 6 packages of straws perfectly! Now whenever the kids want a straw, they are ready and available.