Tahoe Part Dos

We were lucky enough to be invited back to the Hollingshead's beautiful Tahoe condo for vacation part two a couple of weekends ago and it was an absolute blast!

However, the whole weekend was so much more than a fun getaway.  I was humbled in so many ways and completely smitten with the great friends that I have been blessed with.  Waking up and being able to have my quiet time while sitting in the sand looking out at a gorgeous blue lake was not too shabby either, let me tell you!

This time our days were filled with boating, tubing, jet skiing, wakeboarding, playing sardines and cards, and just getting to nap or swim whenever we wanted to.  I would go back in a second if I could but for now I'll just have to look back on these fun pictures...

{Ryan and Kyle had a system to staying on the tube which involved jumping on top of each other...}

{A viking house in Emerald Bay}

{The bark of this giant tree smelled like vanilla!}

 

{Grill masters, naturally.  Ok, you too Weiner.}

{UPDATED: Per Kevin's request, I give you the "Kevin Hollingshead Shrine".  He was upset that he wasn't in any of the pictures I posted originally [because he broke his ankle] so I was forced to add these oh-so-attractive pictures of the legend himself.  Eat your heart out Little Bruin.}

Thank you so much to the Hollingshead family for opening up your home once again to us crazy kids.  

I promise we didn't break anything.  Except the Smashball ... sorry about that.

Melody Mondays

I've had this idea for a while about sharing songs that I'm loving at the moment.  I figured I'd have to limit myself to only one day of it however because I knew that I would get carried away and want to post a different song every day.  So I decided to start Melody Mondays!  What better way to start your week, right!?

The past couple of weeks the new Phil Wickham CD has been on repeat pretty much 24/7.  In my car, on my iPod, while I'm studying...it never gets old.  He has a presale happening right now which is how I got the album before it's official October 4th release date!  I really don't know how he keeps getting better and better...but he does.  I've been going back and forth between which song to feature because I have a few favorites but I think "All I Am" is the one.

Listen.  Enjoy.  Pass it along.

Take these hands

I know they're empty but with You they can 

Be used for beauty in Your perfect plan

All I am is Yours

Take these feet

I know they stumble but You use the weak

You use the humble, so please use me

All I am is Yours

I give You all my life

I'm letting it go

A living sacrifice, no longer my own

All I am is Yours, All I am is Yours

Take this heart

Set it on fire shining in the dark

I want to tell the world of who You are

All I am is Yours

I give You all my life
I'm letting it go
 A living sacrifice, no longer my own
All I am is Yours, All I am is Yours
I give You everything
To You I belong
Every beat of my heart, the breath in my lungs
All I am is Yours, All I am is Yours


I lift my hands up
God I surrender
All I am for Your glory, Your honor, Your fame
I lift my hands up
God I surrender to You


I give You all my life
I'm letting it go
 A living sacrifice, no longer my own
All I am is Yours, All I am is Yours
I give You everything
To You I belong
Every beat of my heart, the breath in my lungs
All I am is Yours, All I am is Yours

{Happy Monday!}

Viva Las Vegas

Earlier this month my mom and I took our free vacation to Las Vegas courtesy of Ellen DeGeneres.

Confused?

Let me explain.

In January, my mom, sister, and neighbor got a chance to go to the Ellen show taping in Burbank.  It just happened to be Ellen's birthday show so it was full of surprise guests and {even better} sweet gifts for the whole audience!  All four of us left with new Blackberry Torches, a fancy watch, and a trip to Vegas for two!  My mom used her trip earlier this year with my dad and {graciously} offered herself to accompany me when I could go.  So we had two nights at the MGM Grand, spa treatments, tickets to Cirque du Soleil, and lots of time to just relax and do whatever we wanted!  It was such a great vacation and so fun to live in luxury for a couple of days.  Here's some pictures from our adventures...

{View from our room}

{Pre-spa...I wouldn't mind having another 50 minute Swedish massage}

{The Cirque theater!  So amazing}

{After "Ka"}

{Riding the Coca Cola elevator on our way to dinner}

{Had to watch the Bellagio's water show}

{The inside of the Bellagio was decorated for 4th of July}

Would definitely not mind doing it all again...Ellen?

Long Overdue

Father's Day 2011.

Remember that?  It was like a month ago, come on.

Anyways, I had one of the best ones because my dad is supes awesome.

{Don't mind my little abbreviating habit, it's getting a bit out of control}

My dear ole Dad is the greatest.  He is my very own Phil Dunphey.  I love his silly dad jokes and the way he gets way too excited when his favorite HGTV show comes on TV.  Oh and don't even get me started on his {loud} concerts he loves to grace us with, complete with steering wheel drum solos.  He is still a little kid at heart but gives the best advice at the perfect times.  He is a wonderful man of God that loves my family with his whole heart and would go to the ends of the earth for each of us.  I am the luckiest girl in the world to have a dad who tells me I'm beautiful and how proud he is of me just enough to make me know he truly means it.  

We had to celebrate a little early, the traditional Shannon way, because of scheduling conflicts so we all got together and headed down to a yummy lunch on the lake on one of the most beautiful days.

We love you Papa Bear!

Only the beginning...

Hi friends!

So summer has officially begun ... well actually like two weeks ago but who's counting right?

So my first adventure of the summer was Lake Tahoe last weekend with some super fun friends.  Taylor, Kevin, and I roadtripped from LA to Granite Bay where we met up with Ryan and his family and then we continued on to Lake Tahoe together!

Look how beautiful it was!

It was just a ridiculously fun weekend full of baseball, tennis, volleyball, books, board games, food, Jesus, conversation, and laughs ... seriously.  I know, it sounds way too good to be true.  Here's the kicker though: we were only there for a total of two days.  Wah wahhhh.  Totally not long enough and we were all so sad to say goodbye to the Hollingshead chateau on Sunday.

We've already planned round two in July and I'm pretty sure we've all made paper chains to count down the days!

Now check out some pictures from the weekend!

 {Warning: We took no pictures.  Kevin got a hold of my camera and this is all that resulted.  Quality pictures here folks...}

{Miss Taylor Cochran}

{The Hollingshead's awesome condo} 

{Mr. Kevin Hollingshead ladies and gentlemen}

{Kyle and Ryan...possibly the same humans}

{The newest little Bruin}

{Mr. Weiner, our fantastic photographer himself}

Told you.

This is for you.

It's June!

Which means it's almost July!

Which means it's almost...my birthday!!

20, people.  20!  This is a big year!  Goodbye teenage years, hello scary adulthood.

I figured you'd probably want to start shopping so it is my pleasure to introduce to you...the official birthday list.

You're welcome.

 
These ridiculously cute wedges...

Ok, yes, I love wedges.  But any of these TOMS are great, specifically in size 8...

My newfound apartment life needs to involve some kind of food and Mr. George Foreman said he could help...

New apartment essentials...

I'm in the midst of making an inspiration board for my new room and I just love the idea of posters and signs kind of collaged on the wall like in this nursery...

  

Some kind of cooking instruction so I don't live on PB&J or gain 50 pounds...


Aaaaaaand that's all I can think of right now.
Like I said, I just wanted to be helpful ;)