Our friends have been so gracious to bless our 3-year-old with some new toys, craft supplies, and outfits!

We had a great celebration for Father's Day on Sunday! We headed over to Mom and Dad's house after everyone napped and started up the grill. Aaron cooked steaks while I got some potatoes ready (if you don't have the Pampered Chef Deep Covered Baker or something like it, you're missing out!). Thankfully Joey and Sierra were there to play and swim with the girls so that we could get the meal ready.

Vivian had her first dentist appointment this morning! We prepared this morning by "playing dentist" at home. She did so well...didn't make a peep they said. Unfortunately, the scheduling was messed up a little, so I didn't even get to stay in the room with her (the hygienist was waiting to clean my teeth). I was a little worried about it, but she didn't even notice that I wasn't there!
They set her up well for success: sunglasses and a TV hooked up right in front of her so that she could watch while they were in her mouth! Thankfully, her teeth are healthy and there aren't any problems.

A couple of my friends recently did this birthday wreath and I copied! It was very easy to do...you just need a straw wreath (leave plastic on), and about 200 balloons and greening pins.

On Saturday, Aaron's sister Brooke graduated high school. We drove from the beach to Mike and Peggy's on Friday night so we could be there for the big day. She did realllllyyyy well in school...incredible GPA! She is going into Education at UNC Wilmington to hopefully pursue teaching ESL.Mike and Peggy threw a graduation party for her at the house afterwards. It was a very special afternoon for her.

Last Tuesday morning the girls and I packed up and left the house around 9:30 a.m. for our beach trip. Normally we go with my mom, and it definitely wasn't the same without her, but we had a GREAT time with our friends that came to join us. Jonathan and Joy brought their two little boys on Wednesday morning. Jonathan had to be at work on Thursday, so he left for the day, but he came back and brought Aaron with him on Thursday night. Friday we had everyone there and it was a wonderful day! The weather was perfect the whole time we were there.
Vivian and Kate did so well on our drive down there, even though we had to add 2 more hours to the trip because I left my phone at our lunch spot and didn't realize it until I was almost an hour past it and had to go back (for the whole long story, ask me sometime!).
They loved everything about the beach, and I did, too. The whole time we were there I kept trying to think of other dates this summer that we can go back! Here are some pictures of the kids:

Here are some more pictures from the fun playtime they had last week at Julia and Mason's house:

Last night the girls from our small group were able go out to eat together to celebrate the May birthdays (Jody and I)...it was an encouragement, just like I say every time we hang out! God has been very obvious in answering a prayer of mine from the last 6 years, that I would find close friends that would spur me on and support me in biblical womanhood.

We've been to Papa and Gramme's pool several times now and it keeps getting better and better! The girls hold their own and are a joy to watch swimming and playing.

Gramme had a fun idea of putting the slide right beside the pool to make a water slide! They were nervous at first and didn't want to try it, but later on Vivian became more curious, tried it, and loved it.


I know I've said it a hundred times already, but we are going to have lots of fun this summer! They are at a great age...not as needy, more independent, can play on their own and together. I actually read half of a novel yesterday!

Yesterday we stayed at home all day. It was wonderful! We all rested well from the busy weeks we've had recently. I am going to enjoy summer, when we aren't in a rush to get out of the door and can take our time to do anything we want!