Summer Summertime

I guess it's unofficially summer since Memorial Day was last Monday. My in-laws came down to visit and we had a great time. Saturday we went to Old Salem, walked around and we finally tried out the tavern restaurant there.

We finally got Chloe a pool, and she loves it. I love it too since it keeps her occupied for more than 5 minutes, ha!

I can't get over how cute she looks in her bathing suite! 

We finally put Chloe's playhouse/slide together. I had been looking and looking on Craigslist for one, and I had almost given up then I found one for $30, I was so excited! I'll try and get a better picture soon, it's very colorful, but she loves it and it will be nice to have something outside here for her to play with. 

And no pictures of us, all of Chloe, oh well she takes better pictures anyways! Hope everyone enjoyed their holiday weekend!

Pilot Mountain State Park

 This past Saturday we decided to head about 25 minutes north of us and visit Pilot Mountain. I had heard it was good for children because it's an easy walk to the view points and lots of places to play and picnic. 

We actually got a good family picture where Chloe is smiling. We all loved exploring the park.

You can see Pilot Mountain from a few spots in Winston-Salem. It was nice to see it a lot closer though.

We had a fun picnic and tried to get some more pictures, haha.

We are really looking forward to this summer. Last summer we had just moved and were trying to find a house and it was just crazy. We can't wait to do more stuff like this! 

Mother's Day Weekend

I hope everyone had a good Mother's Day. We didn't do much as it was our first weekend at home without commitments or plans in over a month. I got to go for a run, sleep in, and enjoy being with  my family.

This was our weekend: relaxing in a diaper! haha!

Best picture I could get of us, at lunch. Clarke made me pizza on the grill for dinner, it was really good and I didn't have to make it or clean up. It was a low key Mother's Day but it's what I wanted. 

I will also admit being the first Mother's Day away from my mom wasn't easy. I just missed her, and celebrating with her. This year I was also more aware (I don't know why maybe just as I've met more people or as I've gotten older) that it's a painful day for some. Those that have lost their moms, or long to be moms, or have lost a baby. I definitely spent time lifting them up in prayer, wishing I could do more.

Don't want to end this post on a sad note, so I'll share this:

Our children's ministry at church was starting a new series "into the wild" and they had this set up to take pictures, thought it was cute! 

Richmond Weekend

Last weekend it worked out that we got to spend some time in Richmond. Clarke had to work there Monday and had a class Tuesday so we came up Friday night.

Saturday we attended a 5k fundraiser which benefited 2 of my former students. You can read more about the  We Heart Harley and Friends Foundation here. It was really great being there, and I loved that I got to support so many families who have special needs children. I got to catch up with an old student and her family. It definitely made me miss that part of my "former" life before I became a mom. They had a raffle and Clarke won a gift card to the Cinnebistro, made it even better! 

Chloe had fun chasing my mom's cat, Tootsie around. Haha.

Saturday night I got together with my best friends. Always such a great time. Since moving away it makes me appreciate friends that I've known for so long. Something about just being able to be yourself and not filter anything, always knowing they will be there for you. Now i'm rambling on……..

Not much else noteworthy happened. We got back Tuesday night and it's been a nice short week here. Always good times in Richmond! 

Big Girl

Happy May! Can't believe it's already May, I also can't believe how big my girl is getting. 

Awful picture but she wouldn't stay still. Her first pigtails!

Some pictures from the park, looking like such a big girl now.

And she is old enough to color now. Just random marks but still! She also moved up to the toddler room at church Sunday mornings. Loves the music and being with the bigger kids.

She looks so old in this one, wants to roam around the store when we go now. Into everything, which makes it harder for me, but she loves it. 

Where did my baby go?