Summer Lovin'

1. Sarah + Ben's Wedding 

The whole family traveled to beautiful Blowing Rock, NC this June to be a part of Sarah and Ben's wedding weekend. Uncle Rod and Aunt Chris graciously let us stay in their amazing house with Laney, Graham, and Drew. The weekend was magical. I can't explain it any other way. To witness God's faithfulness in both Sarah and Ben's lives individually and how he brought them to this point of joining together in marriage was beautiful. Sarah was the MOST beautiful bride. She was gracious and patient and calm and managed to make every single person there feel special. I am so thankful for this precious couple and it was an honor to be a part of their wedding!

 Here are a few non iPhone pictures from their photographer Marcie Meredith:

2. The Cliffs

From Blowing Rock, Laney, Graham, me and the kids went straight to Nan and Pops house for the week while Ben went back to work. It was sad to leave Dee da, especially since our 5 year anniversary and Father's Day should have been celebrated that week! Going to spend the week with cousins and Nan and Pops made it much easier to part ways :) 

There was lots of swimming, fishing, boating, tubing, eating, and adventure at the Cliffs! Liam was in heaven! 

Nan and Pops always go above and beyond to create memories for everyone and this trip was no different. We are so thankful for the ways they love our family!! 

3. 4th of July

The tradition of spending the 4th at Atlantic Beach continued this year and was the best yet because we had our little Bennett girl with us for the first time! It was also so fun having Rod, Chris, and Anna at our house AND the Lambs and Laniers were next door so Liam was in heaven with all his little buddies to play with! 

It was really special this year because Liam was able to be in the parade for the first time ever! He scooted his way down Ocean Ridge feeling like the coolest boy in the world. 

We got a few hilarious (Bennett) family pictures this year...

 We loveSummer!! 

 

Dear Bennett :: 8 Months

Bennett girl, you turned 8 months old on July 15th. I can't even believe that is possible! You are a little peanut and everyone who meets you loves to compliment your girly features and your petite little frame. You still stun everyone with those big blue eyes you got from your Dee Da and that head of hair you got from me :) Your once jet black hair is now dirty blonde and we are thinking you will be a toe head like your big brother pretty soon! 

Speaking of your big brother, I'm pretty sure 90% of our pictures this month include Liam! You are crawling all over the place and standing on everything and even trying to take some steps holding on to furniture. Liam is loving watching you grow up and is your biggest cheerleader! His favorite game with you right now is crawling races :) 

You have always been a better eater than Liam ever was as a baby, but it is official that you are a better eater than Liam is currently. You are done with pureed baby food, you LOVE any and all table food. It is amazing. Your Dee Da and I always say your favorite food is meat :) 

Some other favorite things this summer have been beach trips, going to the pool and spending time with family and baby friends!

This month we also noticed your bottom 2 teeth have come in! There's something new every day with you, squish. We're loving life with you in it!

Dear Bennett :: 7 Months

Giiiirl, you're 7 months old! And it's summer!! 

We took you on your first beach trip over Memorial Day Weekend and you were in heaven! Unfortunately, you are still loving to put anything and everything in your mouth so sand was a pretty large temptation! We had to keep you confined to the GoPod if someone wasn't holding you, which you got tired of pretty quickly...and who can blame you!? Crazy to think of you as a little toddler girl running around with Liam on the beach next year. 

Bennett girl you are quickly becoming a little pistol! You know what you want and let us know when you want it! :) The squeals and grunts and cackles and screams that come out of that teeny little body are hilarious. 

Even though there was lots of GoPod sitting, big brother hat wearing, and pay attention to me squealing, you were SO much fun. You make us all laugh so much! 

Liam wasted no time rubbing it in your face how much fun it is running free in the sand and waves, building castles, catching fish, and swimming in the surf. You'll join him soon baby girl! 

You are sleeping like a champ these days and it was no different at the beach! You are napping for a little over an hour in the morning, 2 hours in the afternoon, and sometimes take a cat nap late afternoon. You are also sleeping through the night! Yay Queen B! 

Big Jim and Zuzu spoiled us all as usual and took us on your first boat ride. The life jacket was not a hit...at all...but we made a memory and that's what matters! 

The next weekend, we took a long long road trip with everybody except Dee Da to see cousin Jack get married in Georgia! You and Liam were TROOPERS during that car ride! 

I got to show you off to so many family members who had never met you and loved every second of bragging about what a sweet baby you are! 

Me, you, and your brother got some good time together but we really missed your Dee Da! I am just so thankful for what great travelers you both are! Also, how much you love your Zuzu, Big Jim, JJ, and Bubba Bo! They were so helpful and loved having you both there as much as I did. We got to swim in the lake, dance the night away at the wedding, and catch up with family who we rarely get to see. It was a special weekend! 

What a joy it is to be your mommy, B! You charm anyone who comes in contact with those big blue eyes and tongue-y grin :) You are the best.