McKinney, Mamma Mia, & Make Way for Miss Madelyn

I had a super fun time in McKinney with Lori and her family. Lori and I met in August of 1996 and have been the best of buds ever since. We roomed together all through college (even into that 5th year we hung around for, until she got married, I didn't think I should live with her then!). We have been through a lot together: ACU; pledging; the loss of her dad; the fact that we sometimes think our moms live identical lives; parents with cancer; fun (and sometimes crazy) trips to New York City, California (twice), Louisiana (we swam with someone famous there...any guesses who?), Graceland, Florida and many other Texas spots, weddings, a bajillion moves, three little boys (and two big boys), a whole mess of Golden Retrievers, and the ultimate: turning 30. The beauty of our friendship is that we can pick up right where we left off and we always do.
One of the main reasons I went up was to help out on the nursery for Miss Madelyn, who I truly thought would arrive when I was there (but didn't!). Lori is very ready for that little girl to be born, too! And we all can't wait to meet her. I also got to spend a little time with Madelyn's big brother, Jackson, who just turned five. He is hilarious and had me laughing the whole time.
We also were excited to get to see Mamma Mia on opening night! Too fun. If you're an ABBA fan, chances are you've already seen the musical and have probably already run out to see the flick. The movie was great! We had a fun theater packed with fun girls (and about two men) who clapped and sang and laughed hysterically the whole time. If you do go see it, be sure and hang around for the credits, that is when they sing Waterloo...I was starting to get concerned that it was left out! We also managed to have ring-side seats for a confrontation coming out from the Batman movie across the hall when we were waiting to get into our theater. Craziness. Two old, decent looking guys yelling at each other about one of their wives' cell phones that apparently rang in the movie. It got a little scary for a moment until they moved past us. We were thinking fists were about to fly (because that is what they were yelling!).
All was well on the home front when I got back yesterday. Daddy even took the boys to the pool for Benjamin's swim lessons on Friday. David said Benjamin did great and even started using the kickboard the correct way (as opposed to trying to sit on or surf on it). My brother and sister-in-law and their kiddos stopped by for a bit to drop off some furniture that I plan to put into Benjamin's room. They had wanted to take us to the lake to ride the wave runner, but I was just too pooped from the drive home. We'll catch you guys next time! Benjamin already had the chance to "ride" the wave runner and was ready to show off his tricks to us. We told him we'll have to go out to the lake with them before school starts.
All in all, a super fun weekend! Miss you already, Lori! Hurry up and get here, Madelyn!

Lori, Bobby and Jackson...one of the last threesome pics!

The dresser we worked on and "shabby chiced". It started out unfinished! I was excited about how it turned out...she has some cute espresso-colored baskets for the cubbies and the vintage-y clear knobs for the drawers.

The changing topper for the dresser, shelves and letters for the room that we worked on.
I can't wait to see what they look like on the wall!

Madelyn's crib...ready and waiting for her! I love the bedding Lori picked out!
It is from the Land of Nod (I think).

Benjamin "riding" the wave runner.
"Hey, Keaton, get out of the way, dude. I want to see what this baby can really do!"