Happy Father's Day!

I feel guilty reporting that, just yesterday, Blake Upchurch finally uttered the word "Mama". After nearly a year of responding to "Dada", this will take some getting used to : ) I make him say it every 5 minutes - the most glorious sound I've ever heard. Happy Father's Day honey!

Be sure to check out the new slideshow for Upchurch family Father's Day shots.

My Left Butt Cheek

Kids truly do say the darndest things. Check out Kellan McMullen pushing 70 pounds of Upchurches around!

Summer is Almost Here!

This photo was on a Lands End coupon I received. I handed it to Devlyn this afternoon and he said, "How did I get in this picture? Who are those people with me?" Ha, ha ha. Charles and I think this boy is a little bit of a mix of Devlyn and Blake but definitely a look-a-like for Devlyn in this shot. Just returned from a spectacular Memorial Day weekend in Kure Beach. Good friends, good food and great weather. Thanks to the McMullen and James families for helping to pull together such an awesome weekend. Kellan, Zoe, Devlyn and Blake had a blast together. Check out the updated slideshow for highlights from the trip. We met a woman on the beach who says she knows brothers named Devlyn and Blake from Leland, NC?!? Crazy.

Back in the Saddle Again!

I'm too tired to write much but we've been plenty busy around here as usual. Final touches on the tree house and steady progress on the upstairs bathroom have gobbled up the past two weekends. All day yesterday was reserved for celebrating Charles' birthday and celebrate we did. Thanks, as always, to Gma Nina for taking good care of the boys while Mommy and Daddy stepped out last night. I think next year we may have to finally make it happen and head to Churchill Downs for the Derby. Derby Day is a fine day for a Birthday! Check out the new slideshow - Devlyn is a 4-wheeling fool lately and Blake wants in on the action (shocking, I know).

Men in Tree(house)s

Either he can’t hear the damn thing or he’s upstairs getting Blake to settle down I thought to myself. I’d just tried to call Charles at home numerous times on my way back from Marshalls. And then it hit me…he’s in the tree house! Did I mention we have a tree house?!? Thanks to talented, selfless Uncle Shayne (and plenty of Charles’ elbow grease) WE HAVE A TREE HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This evening I learned that as sure as Cinderella’s coach turns into a pumpkin at midnight, tree houses magically transform into man-caves at approximately 10pm. And that’s exactly where I found my husband, accompanied by an empty martini glass, chatting boisterously via cell phone with one Mr. Sam Edwards. There simply is no better person to converse with over vodka laced with olive juice from a tree house in your own backyard after 10pm on a Friday. There just isn’t.
I crept up the ladder and overheard, “I’m telling you man, it doesn’t get any better than this.” Glancing up at the stars through the cedar I had to admit, for the most part, he was right. But the two Goodberry’s Heath Bar Specialty sundaes I’d just carried up with me would probably change that. It was indeed about to get better.

Introducing the Yohawk

Blake changed suburban fashion forever this evening by busting out of the mold with the newly coined "Yohawk". Hip, edgy, a little fruity and at the same time, oh so sweet. "How can I achieve this look?" you may ask. Simply end any meal with a small bowl of yogurt and throw in some attitude. Have fun. Get messy with it. With practice, you too can perfect this alt-toddler, rocker-chic coif. Willy nilly wannabes beware - you've got to own it to pull this look off.

Happy Birthday to ME!

As I eagerly await "the other side of 35" (gulp, snort, guffaw) I decided that a special birthday present was in order. Toolsnob.com's glowing review of the Fein Multimaster solidified my notion of it as the holy grail of tools. I promptly placed my order. The UPS man drove away a few minutes ago and I have been staring at the Multimaster ever since. A vision of orange and black, perfectly nestled in its case with attachments galore. Each one shiny, new and labeled accordingly. Since I am home with both kids this afternoon, I will stare a little longer then pack it away for later when I can take the time to savor each little piece, devote my full attention to the instruction manual and let my inner nerd run wild. I can hardly wait. Happy birthday to me. Happy birthday to me. Happy birrrrthdaaay to meeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. Happy birthday to me!