The first week of summer was pretty great. Soon after the last half-day of school on Friday, our family had some lunch and then headed home to open summer baskets. This is a fun little tradition that just gives the girls some fun things to use over the summer to help beat boredom. This year's basket included things like candy, books, magazines, art projects, candles, beach towels, and waterproof phone cases. It's always a good time.
After that Ryan and I headed north to Chattanooga. Ryan's longtime friend, Allison Gord, was getting married, and we were thrilled to get to go. She and Mark were getting married at a beautiful home on Signal Mountain. It was great to see my old sorority sister, Jen (Baxley) Mercer, there too; she's one of Allison's most dear friends so she came up from Jacksonville. It was a gorgeous evening; we're so glad we were able to celebrate with them, and we wish them many years of happiness together.
On Saturday, we had a Stranger Things season 4 marathon since it came out the night before. We got up early, ate a quick bite, and watched six episodes in a row. Then it was time to push pause because we got to go to a United game in Katie's dad's suite again. Woohoo! We always love this. We were glad Lauren Martin was able to join us too. Friends make events like this even more fun. Unfortunately, the United lost, but it was still a fun game. After we got home, we watched the last episode of Stranger Things to wrap it up. What a fun day!
On Sunday, Lily's class all went to the Braves' game together to celebrate Trip's 16th birthday. What a great celebration! Even better, Braves got the win!
Grandpops flew into town while Lily was at the game, so Ryan, Mia, and I had fun hanging out with him. It's always good to have him visit. On Monday (Memorial Day), David, Ryan, and I went to the Imax at Atlantic Station to watch Maverick: Top Gun. It was awesome! That big screen made it so cool, and it was just a great movie. On Tuesday, we pretty much hung around which was nice, and David left very early on Wednesday morning.
Unfortunately, David called us on Thursday afternoon to let us know he tested positive for Covid. The girls and I started to feel a little bit unwell on Friday. On Saturday, both girls tested positive as well (though Ryan and I both tested negative). Neither felt well, so this wasn't a surprise, but this gave the really big bummer that it meant they couldn't go to camp the next day as expected. I am so very grateful that camp offered to let them come at a later session this summer instead, so they are planning for that in early July. The next five days meant we all needed to quarantine (though Ryan and I tested negative again on Monday). I worked from home, and everyone just kind of hung around. We could go out after those five days, but we needed to be cautious and the girls needed to keep masks on if we were around others. It certainly wasn't the week any of us had planned. On the other hand, it gave us the gift of time with one another which I am always thankful for.
A few other things going on around the house the last few weeks:
Mia totally sewed up a big hole in the arm of one of Ryan's t-shirts. I had no idea she knew how to do that, but she did, and she did it well. I was so impressed!
Ryan and Lily took Decker with them on one of their breakfast runs to Red Eye Mule one day while Mia and I stayed home and slept. He makes a pretty good little travel buddy.
Ryan and I had a date night at Mojave one evening for dinner and to hear Mark Miller perform. He's definitely one of our favorites! He played a lot of covers this evening which was so incredibly good. Dinner was quite tasty too; we'll do this again.
Our whole family loves musical theater, so we were all excited to head down to The Fox one evening to watch Frozen. The girls had watched it on YouTube previously, but Ryan and I had not seen it. It was so good! We all loved it and are glad we were able to get some last minute tickets.
Lily completed this gorgeous paint by number picture recently. These colors are absolutely beautiful together. This might be one of my favorites.
Mia is still loving her VR set that she bought a couple of years ago. It's great when it's nice weather, and she can play it outside because it gives a much larger open area to move around in.
This is simply a picture of our good boy! Isn't he adorable?!
Ryan and I bought these windchimes at Love Street recently. The colors and shape is so pretty, and it makes beautiful music when the wind hits it. I love it!
Lily went to a spend the night party at Lauren's house recently. I love this board she took: pretzels with a homemade onion dip, chips with guacamole or queso, and chocolate (this picture was pre-melted chocolate chips) with bananas and strawberries. So creative and yummy!
We recently had Mom and Dad over for dinner to celebrate their birthdays since they're only 9 days apart. Ryan grilled up smashburgers for us, and we had some chips, coleslaw, and blueberries on the side. Dessert was a caramel honey macadamia nut tart from Hawaii (thanks Goldbelly!). It was a great evening with delicious food!
I am so thankful for my mom and dad. I couldn't ask for better parents!
Our friend, Sherilyn Johnson, is an excellent baker. She offered "cake camp" classes during the summer where she taught kids how to bake delicious cake and then ice them into beautiful designs. Mia was excited to go, and look at this gorgeous blue marble with drip icing design that she made! I'm so impressed with this, and I hope Mia will make more of these.
Mary Preston came to spend the night with Lily and Rylie came to spend the night with Mia one evening. The girls love when they can have friends over, and we are thankful for the sweet friends in their lives. Ryan stopped by Jerusalem Bakery to pick up cheese to make mannaish for breakfast for us all, and he couldn't resist getting a few different types of baklava too. It's so yummy!
What a delicious and colorful dinner we made one evening! Steak tostadas, cream corn, chips with guacamole, and raspberries. This tostada recipe was in the very first Piquant Post that we received, and it's still our favorite. It's delicious!
Sometimes it'll be pretty quiet around the house as everyone's just doing their own thing, and then every so often I get a picture like this. I have no idea what's going on, but it makes me smile to see my girls together!
Other items going on that I don't have pictures of:
Our small group is continuing to meet which we are thankful for; it's great to study the word of God together with others each week.
I was glad to have lunch with my old friend, Elizabeth Smith, recently at Taquiera Tsunami. Our families were so close for several years before they moved; it's been several years since we've had the opportunity to catch up in person. It was a great lunch that went too quickly; I'll look forward to next time.
I had my friends, Katie and Amanda, over for dinner recently which was a lot of fun. It's good to have girl friends!
Ryan and Mia went to see the Jurassic World movie together for a daddy-daughter date. I know they both enjoyed it.
Our whole family went to see 42 when Parkway Point theater brought it back as a $5 fan favorite. It's one of Ryan and mine's favorite movies. Chadwick Boseman does an excellent job portraying Jackie Robinson. This movie does a great job showing the courage Jackie (and others) had to change the game of baseball. I'm so grateful we were able to see this in the theater again.
While the half of June hasn't started out exactly as we expected, it's been a good one. We are so very blessed, and I am happy to thank God for those blessings every day.
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