I used to have this pillow case as a kid that had a kindof patchwork pattern and it was super worn and faded. On one of the squares it said, “Little boats must stay near shore”. I remember taking that pillow case with me to acting camp in the 6th grade and sobbbbbing into it with rampant homesickness. I clutched that pillow when I got in trouble for one thing, or another – likely throwing my sister’s pog collection across the room… And now, 20 + years later – I do not have the pillow. Hahahhhah I bet you thought I’d say I’ve kept it all these years. But no, I grew up and said goodbye to the pillow, along with my Cabbage Patch doll Kara which I am now sick about.

But the fact remains true, I have always liked and sort-of needed to be near my home. My family, my house, that feeling I get when I am at home, is like none other. I am by no means a “little boat”, but staying near shore has always rang true for me. And last weekend, I  had the best time with all the feels.

This weekend in particular was especially amazing because my sister Amy came home too, which also means she brought her and her fiance’s dog Ellie!

I CANNOT tell you how obsessed I am with this pup. She be wild and she be crazy but she is also the sweetest little thing everrrr and I want to dog-nap her.

On Saturday morning I woke up in my usual at-home outfit. I ALWAYS forget to bring pajamas home so I end up in a pair of Nan’s pj pants and whatever random shirt I pilfer from the dresser in my room. Case in point:

Then my dad and I went to Starbucks and he drove me by their new house!

Then I sat around and had coffee with the parentals and then got myself ready for the day.

We went to Wal-Mart to procure my our father’s day gift for Pops and then we went to David’s Bridal and Target.

It was determined that my recently purchased gray dress at The Rack was the wrong undertone so I had to suck it up and buy one of the grossly overpriced dresses that I will only wear once. But you know what – I am pumped for my sister’s wedding so really, I could care less!

After getting the dress, Amy and I snuck off to Kennewick’s finest establishment, aptly named The Office.

We met the whole motley crew for dinner at Ice Harbor Brewery where I consumed a giant lamb gyro and fries like nobody’s biz-NASS. Then Amy, Megan, Ben and I ended up at….you guessed it…THE PAGE!

That night, we played Heads Up in the front room where Amy I CLEANED UP! Then I PTFO like a little kid after a long, sweaty day at the carnival.

The next day we had a little family bbq with my aunt and uncle and grandparents. I wore Adidas slides and determined that I need a pair.

Watching them interact with little Ellie is damn near the sweetest thing that could ever happen. As I gathered up my stuff to leave for the weekend, I srsly contemplated bringing a couple of my fave BSC books. Because this, my friends is a mere quarter of my extensive collection:

Oh, and a big ol’ Happy Father’s Day to Gary D. Or Gare-Bear. Or Vin Diesel.

After we ate, I drove back to Portland in my mom’s car so that we can be a 2-car household and not leave one another stranded when the other person takes the car. Whoop whoop!

Such a great weekend. I love my home.