Some of my favorite memories as a young girl were made at Stricklands with all of my extended family. Summers filled with all day picnics overflowing with your typical southern comfort foods. Getting water logged from swimming in the lake all day was to be expected. My closest cousin and I would always float around daydreaming about how much fun our own kids would have one day coming to Stricklands on summer break. I always knew that I would have fun little excursions with my children but I often wondered where we would go? Who would be with us? I envisioned lots of big and boisterous laughter! And creating unique memories that my children would talk about when they were adults.
Fortunately, several years ago I found some friends who would quickly become my chosen family. These are the people that I recreate those nostalgic childhood memories with…they are The McWilliams. Rest assured that there is no shortage of big and boisterous laughter in our presence. Together we are the Mc Mc’s. Nine strong and one of the way. Not me! Shaunna is plus one at the moment. Come January “our” newest little mini Mc will arrive. In the meantime, we have had a terrific year making memories…camping, BBQ’ing, canoeing, pirate cruising…just simply being together as much as possible. Shaunnas role is the “nice mom” and I am the “mean mom” so we are the yin to each others yang. She is all fluffy and flexible and I am a bit more strict and structured. I bet you can guess who all the kids go running to when they want something. ;-)
This past weekend, after 2 prior failed attempts, we finally boarded the Pirate Cruise in St. Augustine. Thank the Lord for Groupon! It was a perfectly gorgeous Sunday afternoon. But before we headed out we shot a quick session of this growing family. I love them like my own.
so great…those kids are all gorgeous….