3rd Annual Fall Fun Party

The 3rd Annual Shell Shack Fall Fun Party was a smashing success Halloween weekend. I have too much to do to get ready for my trip to Ecuador to write much about it, but I think the pictures speak for themselves.

Winner Best Girl Costume:

Heather the Hot Ladybug!

One of many crossdressers:








Winner Best Couple or Group Costume:
Cruella DeVille and her Dalmation!

Winner Best Guy Costume:

The Banana Hammock!




More Crossdressers:


Winner Best Greek Costume:

The Shell Shack Girls - just kidding, that was not a category.

Once again, we want to say a huge THANK YOU to every person who came - we were so blessed by your presence, and amazed at the creativity and effort you put into your costumes.

See all the party pics here.

Resurrection Sunday

Just wanted to wish you all a blessed Easter!

PS I am still planning to recap my El Salvador trip, so check back!

I ♥ Central Coast Weekends!

Every week I think that life here can't get any better than it is, but then God blesses me with another amazing and fabulous weekend, and I realize that I was wrong - again! The weekend started on Friday afternoon since Charity had the day off, and it was gorgeous outside - everyone was out cruising on their motorcycles or with the tops down on their cars, so we rode our bikes to a coffeehouse in Pismo to study (okay, Charity tried to study while I distracted her with hilarious Missed Connection stories). But it really started once K-baby rolled into town Friday evening. That night we went to our drinks and appetizer standby, AJ's, then met up with Nate-dawg and Matt at Mongos to see the Damon Castillo Band. After our Saturday morning usual at the Steaming Bean, we took advantage of our 80+ degree weather and packed a picnic lunch and hit the beach. The rest of the Central Coast had the same idea, but we hopped a few tide pools and voila - our very own private, secluded beach!

After a glorious beach day, Charity made an FABULOUS Asian dinner to celebrate Chinese New Year (for the second time!), then we headed over to the Nesper's for Aaron's Poker Night birthday party. Devon's money dance
Despite it being my first real poker game, I made it to the top three! Sunday morning consisted of a refreshing worship time and challenging sermon, and then Kristin, Charity, Sara and I hiked the Shell Beach ridge, where we were once again amazed at the beauty of the area we call home, even with the fog rolling in. Sunday evening everyone came over to the Shell Shack for dessert, and we played guys versus girls Loaded Questions. Between the Hosftee's disputing the musical talent of Neil Diamond, Ben's random answers, and my friends' all-round goofiness, I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard and so much!
Nate, Ben, and Christion getting some romance advice!

Highlights of the weekend:

• Shell Debaucheryshack - there is no debauchery going on here, just good, clean, Christ-centered fun!
• Angry Charity at poker
• watching the Hofstee boys argue two nights in a row
• great quality time with Kristin - we love you and miss you like a fat kid on a diet misses chocolate cake when you are not here!
• story time at AJ's
• FABULOUS weather
• Aaron losing control over "blaspheme the Holy Spirit"

See all of the weekend pics here:

Presidents Day Weekend

I realize that this blog is becoming a Shell Shack weekend recap, but between our three crazy busy schedules we barely have time to connect as roommates, much less time for blogging during the week, and we don't have much to blog about aside from our crazy fun weekends. But we do have some exciting events coming up, all in March: Calvary Women's Retreat, Beth Moore/Kay Arthur conference, and my missions trip to El Salvador. So please keep checking back!

First Official Shell Shack Post

The new Shell Shack is officially warmed up! Every morning when I see our ocean views I can't believe where I live, and again at each glorious sunset.

The last half of December, since my arrival back in the States, to now, has been a whirlwind of activity, as usual. I was met at the airport by my amazing friends, and we spent a incredible weekend in Orange catching up, chilling at the Romano pad, and a fabulous day at Disneyland, where we complained if we had to wait in line for longer than 2o minutes.

Then it was Christmas with the family, where I got a most unexpected but very fun present: my very own .22 rifle!

Other highlights included a kicked back New Years,
ice skating with friends,and celebrating Devon's 24th birthday with a trip to San Jose to visit the unofficial 4th Shell Shacker, K-Baby,
where we engaged in a ferocious game of blondes versus brunettes bocci ball.
Now that the holiday vacations are over, life is slowing down, and the Shell Shack is enjoying the time to reflect on how blessed we are by our families, friends, and to be at this stage in our lives. So, while there is no actual point to this blog, check back often for updates on our thoughts, theme parties, or whatever else we feel like posting about.