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!! 

 

Charleston 2015

The Cooper River Bridge Run, a popular 10k race, brought us to Charleston for a long weekend in March.  If I'm completely honest, the race was just a good excuse to spend a weekend with our favorite friends in a beautiful city.  These friends of ours, they're the kind who will walk, better yet, run through life with you.  These are the people I want to run with.  They are immersed in truth, soaked in wisdom, dripping with joy,  and completely wrung out for the sake of others.  We love these people. 

We had a blast catching up, touring the city, and running our asses off.  Family friends of ours, Jean and Taylor Bush, graciously opened their home to us for the weekend.  We are so grateful for a weekend like this one... it was truly refreshing and exactly what our hearts needed.

This was just before the 10K began.  We showed up late and ended up in the last corral, the walking group.  There was a lady in front of us who literally brought 2 packs of cigarettes for the race.  Needless to say, we were bobbing and weaving through the walking group until we could run free.  Bennett and Sibbes rocked it in the stroller and did exceptionally well.  

Bennett made the trip and experienced being the "only child" for the weekend.  It was a really special time with her while her brother stayed back in Raleigh with Big Jim and ZuZu.

Lunch and Beer after the race to refuel before touring the city.

Sibbes Haddon Parker - aka Love Eyes

Bennett with uncle Brentice

Post race photo op.

Is planking still a thing?

Elkie and Shan crushed the 10K... ran the whole time!  Reminder: recently had babies and had maxed out at 2 miles during their "training"

After walking around all of downtown and admiring the architecture and beauty of Charleston, we went back to the house for some much needed down time. 

That night, we got cleaned up and fresh to death ^ and headed into Sullivan's Island for an amazing dinner outside at Poe's.

The next morning, after taking it easy for breakfast, we went kayaking right outside of the house, packed up and headed back into Charleston for some more sight seeing and a farewell lunch. 

After stalling our goodbyes for as long as possible, we headed our separate ways with magical memories and full hearts.