Beach bums!

The beach is always a little crazy... You think beach, you think "relaxation"...until you have kids...and then it's not only the opposite of relaxation, it can actually be way more work than being at home. But, it's worth it... I think :) And it's definitely more fun when you've got a friend in the trenches with you...and a lot of kids to make for fun chaos!

Amber, Max, and Ava came to hang with us at the beach a few weeks ago. We loaded up our car with ALL of us...4 car seats, the 2 of us and SO much stuff. We had to take a picture of how our luggage was packed to make sure we'd be able to get everything back in the car for the way home. We survived the road trip without too many stops and only one bag of goldfish spilled and crushed in the floor.

It's such a blessing to have a friend with kids that are the same ages... It's been sweet to watch Tucker and Max's little friendship grow this past year and hopefully the girls will catch on soon as well :) Gigi was with us for the week too and a HUGE help as always. Enjoy our week in pictures!

Hadley and Ava...4 months apart

Happy girl with Gigi!

Silly to attempt I know...

Okay, so I know we look rough... but it's the only evidence I have that we were there :)

"Don't worry about us... We'll just be laying on the floor hoping the brothers don't step on us"

A few days before we left, Tucker got an ear infection...he was really sick for 12 hours with vomiting and fever. Sweet Max was trying to make him feel better...

And he succeeded when he bought him his own Mickey Mouse!

p.i.t.i.f.u.l. boy

Ava...seriously the most content, happy baby!

The most popular Gigi...somehow she keeps up with these crazy boys :)

Sun-kissed kiddos, tired mamas...good memories!

Jennie

Jennie...my sweet friend Jennie. Jennie that I met in the first few months of living in Huntersville. Jennie who I met with in Bible Study, over prayer, and mostly over conversation with. Jennie who is the mom I want to call when I have a question about my child's fever, potty training, or other "what do I do now" mommy questions. Jennie who's at Target almost every time I call her. :) Jennie who is the easiest conversation. Jennie who strives for perfection just like I do--and we've grown in that a lot--together. Jennie who is a class act and an amazing hostess. Jennie who has been a fixture in my life the entire time I've been married and had children. Jennie who has left a mark on my life and so many others as she moves onto this new season of life in Richmond. Jennie who I will miss dearly...but won't stop calling, won't stop praying for, and won't stop remembering all the ways she has been an incredible friend to me during this critical season of my life.

Love you friend!

House full of Clarks!

Sharon and the kids came for a whirlwind quick visit this week... It was so fun to have them under my roof and pretend like we still live in the same city for a few days :) It was fun to introduce Hadley to everyone and she just stayed chill in the midst of all the chaos around here. Yay for my best friend that I can watch Housewives with...share a bottle of Riesling with...that I'm not embarrassed with when my kid is being a crazy toddler...and that I can stay up late and have pillow talk with. I miss you like crazy Sharon Clark but am so thankful your weddings on the east coast keep us seeing each other on a somewhat regular basis :) COME BACK SOON!

Boston boy

Play-dough fun

Carter -- Tucker -- Boston

Elle Bean and her best buddy Lilli Bug

We love you guys!

Baby Ava on the way!

This week we celebrated Amber and Baby Ava on the way (this Tuesday to be exact!). She was lovely in her yellow and as always, all the girls loved an excuse to get together and celebrate!

I made this cake (that I couldn't eat-BOO) after finding this idea online... it turned out pretty yummy...or so I heard...

There was plenty of pink...

and yummy desserts...

Things that said Ava...

and a cute candy bar for a take away!

The hostesses of the mostestness!

Meg -- Amber -- Ashley -- Lauren -- Me

I'm so excited for Amber to have a baby girl! Her little boy Max is Tucker's best buddy so it is just perfect that we'll have little girls about the same age as well. Can't wait to meet little Ava!

Lucy and Hadley!

Meet Lucy...she was born about 8 weeks after Hadley. Her mommy is one of oldest, dearest friends, Tori. Tori and I had our boys just 6 weeks apart too! It was so fun to be with good friends and have our little ones meet! I don't think either one of these little girls are hungry :)

Charlie and Tucker...

It was so much fun to see you guys...hope it happens again soon!

Easter Egg Hunt-Round 1

We got invited to "Grandma Pat's" (the Gibbs boys' grandma) annual Easter Egg Hunt and we were excited for him to hunt for eggs for the first time! It didn't take long for him to learn how to hunt for eggs...

Showing Taylor his eggs...

Playing in the bubble machine bubbles!

Sweet Hadley hanging out in the sling...the cheeks are in full effect here :)

Who can scowl the most?

Love all the green...so thankful for this time of year!

Hadley's 1st trip!

A few weeks ago we made a trip to Greenville. It was a fun week of lots of help with the kiddos, seeing old and dear friends, and fun play dates for Tucker. Hadley did great on the road and it was nice to change up our routine and be in a different environment for a few days. Enjoy some pictures!

Tucker and Avery (best friend Jordan's little girl)

Sweet Avery meeting Hadley

Aunt Jordan!

4 kids between Jordan and I...hard to believe this is possible when I think about us being friends in middle school!

Aunt Bethie

Content with Uncle Anthony!

Reading with Aunt Lindsey

She started smiling while we were there :)

Meeting Steph!

Dancing to Wii Dance for Kids! He LOVES it and it's extra funny watching Daddy and Uncle Anthony dance along :)

Hadley meeting Baby Walker... Walker is my friend Courtney's little boy and they were born 1 day apart! Clearly Hadley was excited to meet her new friend :)

Fun playdate with Luke and Henry!

and their mamas :)

wearing tights for the first time :)

Getting lots of love from Gigi!

Thankful for family and good friends!