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:

(thank you, Erin!)

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 were some of the last people to leave the restaurant...almost had to be asked to leave :)

Shannon, Kristin, Jody, Ashely, me, Erin, and Dawn

Kristin brought this goofy birthday gear to use for pictures

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.

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!

We lounged in our pajamas most of the day. When I went in to get Vivian from her room time, I found her like this, reading to all her babies, "'cause they have to go to sweep."

Several weeks ago when I went to Richmond with some girlfriends, Janelle (Avery and Rachel's mom) so graciously kept the girls until Aaron could get off work. They were very excited about spending the day with their friends. If you remember, Avery and Vivian are the same age (about 3 weeks difference), and Rachel and Kate are the same age (about 3 weeks difference). This makes for lots of fun play!

Thanks to Janelle for her help that day, and for giving them such a thrill with playing dress-up!

We have lots of babies coming to our church in the next few months. It's so exciting!

Last Saturday we celebrated God's gift to Ben and Molly...baby Isaac. He will be here at the beginning of July. Molly looks great and got lots of great things to prepare for him...almost everything was purchased from her registry!
We had a fun time at the shower. There were so many people! Gretchen made up a really interesting game for us to play that provided lots of laughs.

Luke! His brother will be here this summer, too.

Jill was so sweet to help entertain the girls during all the craziness of the shower. She took ribbons from the opened gifts and made necklaces and bracelets and belts for them...they thought it was the coolest thing and Vivian played with hers for the rest of the day! Gotta love Jill.