fresh picked whimsy

what's your hurry, summer?

We've tried to squeeze it all out.  School starts tomorrow.  Another fantastic summer for the McDonough's is in the books.

Memories have been made at the church carnival...

lazy days by the pool...

backyard summer bonfires with friends...

fun in the studio...

precious family days at the beach...

Margarita Fridays with the world's greatest neighbors...

football workouts and two-a-days...

backyard harvests...

Late night snack runs...

and board games...

time spent with cousins...

and sisters who are missed...

 I'm thankful for the time spent with the ones i love and for the promise of knowing there are only 289 days until Summer Break 2014!

This is not a good-bye, this is a see you soon

One of our sweet families in this special little corner of our hood is moving far away. 

There's a sadness and a bit of a funk around here.  We've had a few gatherings to see them off and say good-bye.  We gave them a gift basket full of things to remember us by...Margarita glasses and mixes {of course}, favorite shared recipes, and handmade open invites to stay at each of our houses whenever they come back to visit.

and i made them this...

Those are each of our houses illustrated.  i loved making it for them.  i gave all the families a print of it, too. 

We are already making plans for them to come back for our annual IKEA trip and maybe even {fingers crossed} for our Christmas party. There's even talk of a girl's trip to their new home in Seattle!  We can't imagine celebrating without them.  This pic is from one of our previous Christmas parties...

And so, Monica and Gabe...we wish you much happiness in your new home and neighborhood.  It won't be the same here without you.  And remember, this isn't good-bye...it's see you soon.  Much love to you always.

the one where we jingled all the way

Yes, i'm aware that it's late for another Christmas post, but it will be my last for 2012 and it's very necessary.  It's the annual Woods of White Oak aka "WOWO" Christmas party.  It must be posted and preserved for posterity; just like this ugly Christmas sweater, which made it's rounds that night...

We look forward to this night all year.  The little kiddos stay at one house under teen and tweenage supervision...

while we big kids move from house to house, enjoying holiday hors d'oeuvres and spirits...

(Stacey's famous photo made another appearance along with a new one featuring Debi in the 80's...

we may or may not be starting a new tradition...stay tuned)

We traditionally take tours of each other's houses.  We live in a neighborhood of 40+ year old houses.  Jeff and Debi win the prize for biggest master bathroom.  How many WOWO residents can they fit in there, anyway?  Oh yeah...we needed to find out...

strange bedfellows?  I think, yes.

Who knew 'Arry Potta lived in WOWO?  The Click's, that's who...

seriously...how cool is that?

In between houses, we came upon this sight.  I think Jim & Stacey's kids have seen too many episodes of Duck Dynasty!

This night is about...

coming together to celebrate something really special.  Friends who are like family.

 Thanks again, for a wonderful night, friends!!!  Love you all!