The Redneck Riviera.

Whew! Well for a week that was supposed to be a vacation, I find myself poop-ed. Probably because of the many runs, dinners, beers, beach bum days, and overall good conversations with many friends/family that occurred. At one time, our extended family grew to 16!!! But 16 does not compare to the amount of college kids that swarmed the beach in their Chacos, Patagonia fleeces, random hair braids to one side, Nike shorts, Buddy Holly sunglasses, hot pink/neon color skimpy bathing suits, and long sleeveless shirts from the 90s sporting their important sororities. Guys from the south sporting the long hair (and occasional hair swoop), dock shoes, buddy holly sunglasses, Ralph Lauren swimming trunks and a cooler of beer. Can't forget the beer. Natty Light 30 pack cans chugging one after another in beer bongs...one lovely lady three sheets to the wind asked Amanda and I if we would wash out her beer bong in the ocean. Oh! Drunk logic and Spring Break. UK, Auburn, U of A, TCU, Clemson, UT, and many other college flags were flying about...made me think of how my college days are long gone and my Grad School days are moving further and further behind me. Gave me a reality check into how sheltered my Spring Breaks were and how thankful I am now for making them that way. It makes me thankful that I made it through that period of my life, alive.

We went to a really local oyster bar on the ocean one night and as the night progressed, dancing on the tables, screaming fight songs, and finding drunk girls in the bathroom passed out invaded our evening. Made for quite the entertainment....but got old. Real quick. Nevertheless, I ate a raw oyster!!! Okay, so maybe it was covered in mozzarella cheese and bacon bits, but it was still an oyster, and it was still disgusting. DISGUSTING. But I did have crab cakes a couple times this week...I'm branching out people. Here is a highly entertaining video of our friend Chase psyching himself up to eat his first oyster. If you hear any crude language, I do apologize, Amanda and I had to keep these boys in line, and sometimes you just can't:






And speaking of my beautiful sister-in-law, here we are enjoying our last day at the beach. She had the floppy hat idea, and I think it looks rather flattering on us.

I know I'm jumping from day to day, but my parents were able to visit for about a half day on their way back up to KY from spending the most brutal part of the KY winter in their home in North Port Charlotte, FL. I miss them a lot, in fact, I missed the beach and the South in general, a whole lot more than I anticipated. Maybe it's because we (and by "we" I mean "Mike") had to shovel 12 inches of snow out our driveway before we could even bring our bags in. I'm ready for spring, and spring in CO just doesn't happen till the middle of MAY. Oh boy!

After being at the beach and enjoying some Southern Hospitality, I really did not want to come back out West. I would have just planted myself in Alabama somewhere and been happy, happy. So, which one is it Lynsey, which one do you love? The South.....where everyone knows your name and you are comfortable or the West which is more rugged and brings out the adventure in not only you, but your relationship with your husband. Is it the green grass and acres of trees that I miss? Is it the personalities of the people? Or is it just the comfort of "home" that I miss? I was happy to see the Rockies, as I had missed them, but the cold weather just really sent a chill down my entire spine and permeated my soul. I felt like all of the healing that the beach and humid temps did for my body, mind, and soul was erased just by that wind touching my sunburn. I keep touching my hands - they have finally softened up and closed all the gaping holes that a dry atmosphere and continuous use of soap and water will create. No more bleeding knuckles! Ack! How did I get talking about bleeding knuckles?

Here we are! One big happy family!




The sunset on the last night was to die for....Mike and I took a short walk on the beach to watch it set - my favorite part of the day! Please don't mind his scruffy beard!

Even though my past couple months have been amazing, I still have things to look forward to. LIKE!!! Opening Day for the Colorado Rockies the first weekend of April.
Lent is rolling on, 2 more weeks of working out everyday, although the discipline has been nice and I'm continually having to push myself to do it....but you know that feeling after you have exercised, how awesome it feels and that the pain was totally worth it. It has also become a time to talk with Christ, which is priceless to me. I'm still working my way through the Bible - this week I've gotten behind because of vacation, but Mike and I are trying to keep eachother accountable for this, too. Love wins, my friends. It always does.