Don't blink...: 18 years...

Once upon a time that seemed like an eternity. But like I seem to say all the time now, it has flown.

If you remember I told you that the women in our Missouri family watch Miss America every year. This is a wonky year because, not only have they moved the pageant back to Atlantic City, it's back in September. So 2 in one year!

So a long time ago, 1995 to be exact. 3 brand new friends, living in Nixa, Missouri, discovered a common love of Miss America. Little did we know then we would become each other's family. And the women of this family have passed on this love to it's 3rd generation.

We actually had a fun conversation with Danee that she is now the age Kelly was when we all met. That was some amazing perspective.

This year was dubbed (by our brilliant Kelly) the Full Circle gathering. Here's why- she found this amazing house that rents for weekends in Nixa. It's perfection for our family. TONS of room inside and out. So back to Nixa where it all began we went.

(I forgot my memory card so all my pics are from my phone + 1 stolen from Kelly!)

So what's with the Blue M&M's? Well most people know the legend of Green M&Ms. We were having a conversation about this (1996?) while eating a bag and I think Darla is the one who came up with the rule (?) that you cannot eat the blue ones on Wednesday. If you do? They give you horrible gas. True story. Sooooo like all good parents we've taught our children well- or passed the mental illness to another generation however you want to look at it. Like a good daughter, Danee brought her 3 mom's gifts! I love presents.

She's such a good girl!

I LOVE family meals! It was like Thanksgiving.

So we we ate, played, talked, did our nails, soaked in the hot tub and enjoyed each other's company for 2 1/2 days. It was wonderful.

Grehyor is such a good boy. Soooo sweet

We caught them playing nicely every once in a while. The price you pay for having 3 2 year olds!

Even these 2 had moments of cooperation

Bikes were the BEST IDEA EVER

Doing toes and nails

So I have to say that we were short one very important part of this group. Our Jamie is an Army wife and she and hubby are in Virginia for the first stop of their exciting new life. She was soooo missed and it just wasn't the same without her. Lots of texting and pics going back and forth between Missouri and Virginia!