My Family, My Partners in Crime

{My Grams with my cousins and me. My brother, Craig, and I are in matching outfits. Our parents also matched. So 1990's.} *Click on images to enlarge*
My cousin Suzanne recently asked me to blog about my favorite childhood memory and favorite recent memory from our family vacations to Siesta Key, Florida. But first, let me start with some background on my family.

My dad is the second of four children, three boys and a girl. The four of them all married and had kids, giving my grandmother a total of 10 grandkids in 12 years (my grandfather died before 8 of us were born). There are three girls who are years apart, but have pretty close relationships. I am the baby, my cousin Suzanne is 6 years older than me, and Kelley is 11 years older than me. By the way, we were all born in May. We're a pretty awesome trio, I won't lie.

But because us girls were outnumbered by the boys, we weren't always sweet little girls.

1989 was the first summer my dad's entire family went to Siesta Key for the first time. I'm too lazy to do the math for back then, but today we are up to 35 (give or take a couple) people. We all stay in the same condo complex, all sit together on the beach, and all wreak havoc on the Gulf Coast for 10 days. It's such a wonderful time. Something I look forward to every year... even before the present trip ends. We have only skipped the reunion in FL three times. Twice to go to California instead. Once (this year) because of reasons I still don't quite understand. Not going this year is actually hard for me. Not because I'm a whiny baby who wants to go on vacay again; but because my grandmother (the only grandparent I have ever had) is going to be 89 in August. Who knows if she will be with us next June; and I know this annual trip means the world to her. And soon I will do a post dedicated to her. Because she truly is my hero and the most kicka** 88 year old woman one will ever know.

But I digress.

Back to my favorite memories.

As kids, we were little shits (although my parents would argue that not much has changed). And we didn't like outsiders invading our territory. And since the condo complex has two pools, we figured we had every right to claim the front pool--closest to the beach-- for just our family. Our parents shared this sentiment. So the 10 of us would gather up our Super Soaker water guns (purchased by my Grams, of course), spread out in the pool, and spray the bejezus out of any trespassers. The guests loved us, I'm sure. As did the manager of the complex, Rosie. She was such an evil old lady. But she got our money every summer, so what could she do? She'd ride by in her golf cart and you better believe we soaked that cart until our water pressure wore thin. Holy terrors, we were. We just laughed and laughed and loved life so much. She probably quit because of our family. I wish we could do this today and get away with it ;) We never got in trouble by our parents. I won't out anyone, but I know the adults partook in these activities. So did my then 32 year old cousin. And my grandma. We're crazy, what can I say?


{My brudder and me at Busch Gardens Tampa. He was not quite 5, I had just turned 3. We're so awkward. And 5 minutes after this picture I was attacked by a stupid goose. Also known as the beginning of my everlasting fear of all bird species.}

But as we got older, said shananigans came to a close. Until last year, when all 10 of us (plus girlfriends/husbands) were finally 21. I think we have all secretly been dreaming of this day since we knew what being 21 meant. So my favorite SK memory as of late would be from last year, when all of us, for the first time ever, went out to a bar and did shots and got drunk. It was lovely. And such a fun bonding experience as adults. Hey, we're Irish and German and my grandma's maiden name is Bierhaus (that's Beer-house), a fondness of drinking is in our genes. Anyhow, it was a blast. And reminded me of how awesome my family is. And how bad I feel for people who enter our family by marriage. And our kids... well, I think we are all fully prepared for payback to hit us in 10-fold. But I wouldn't change a single thing about us.


{June 2009. Sorry for the poor picture quality. The gang (plus a few new members), all grown up. Chyea, right ;) Brother bear is the dude in the front right, wearing orange; I am on the right in back wearing black. I just realized my youngest cousin isn't there... :(.}


And an extra picture, just because I think we look cute and my brother's entire body language and facial expression cracks me up! From Mother's Day 1989. I turned 2 six days later, Craig turned 4 two months later.






P.S. wiffle ball will also always be a favorite past time from Siesta Key, in case you were wondering, cuz! ;)