She's a giggle girl

Lottie has started laughing, and of course, no one can make her laugh like her daddy. He had her going tonight. This is the first time we have really heard her full out giggle instead of chuckles here and there. We had to share it right away.

Year 1 of Med School is Done!!!

Chris is officially a 2^nd year med student. And this is how we feel about it:

 

 He did a wonderful job, and Charlotte and I are incredibly proud of him. Now we have the next week to enjoy family time before he heads to the Dominican Republic on a medical mission trip, and I start work again. We plan to soak up this time as much as possible.

Uncle Brian & Aunt Sarah Visit - Part II

Our last day, we spent wandering around Greenville. We visited Falls Park on the Reedy and walked the Liberty Bridge. Then we headed down Main Street and did the Mice on Main scavenger hunt. It was hot but a ton of fun.

Finally, we had to say good-bye and drop them off at the airport. We loved having them here (especially Lottie as you can see below), and we can't wait to see them at Thanksgiving! Thanks for coming Uncle Brian & Aunt Sarah! We love y'all.

Sweetest Photo Shoot Ever

Lottie was in a super precious mood during her 11 weeks old photo shoot. I had so much trouble picking a picture, so I decided I just had to post several.

This one is the best of all the pictures; however, I didn't use it as the weekly picture because I really wanted the "I love Daddy" to show since it was Father's Day.

Here are some more sweet smiles:

 

Then Charlotte started singing "These Boots Are Made for Walking":

Married 5 Years!!!

Chris & I  celebrated our 5th anniversary on Friday. Crazy to think we have been married 5 years. We decided to run by VCOM and take a family picture showing what we have accomplished in 5 years. When we got married, I was working at EY, and Chris was working at Sprint Sand & Clay as a construction manager, going to Houston Community College part-time. And here we are today with a 2.5 month old little girl in South Carolina where Chris is attending medical school:

Maybe at10 years we will be able to take a picture in front of the hospital where Chris is finishing up his residency (in Texas maybe?) with a few more young'uns around.We shall see what God has in store for us--His plans always seem to go above and beyond our own.

To celebrate, we had brunch at Mon Ami, a French cafe that serves amazing crepes, which was a sweet treat from Chris since brunch and Mon Ami are a bit girlie. Lottie came with us. We did a date without her while Bros and Sarah were here (so we are completely capable of leaving her behind), but we decided we really wanted her to come with us this time, especially since Chris doesn't see much of her right now with finals and all. 

And as you can see, she was very disruptive:

That night we played Rivals for Catan--a very fun strategy game that Kaylan & James sent as part of their baby gift to us. Having a 5 year-old themselves, they are familiar with how often date nights are spent at the house.

The next morning, we went to see How to Train Your Dragon 2. We timed it to coincide with Lottie's longest nap, and sure enough, she slept through the entire movie. She is such a good baby. We had a great anniversary and really enjoyed spending it with our precious little girl (she is just so portable at 2.5 months--I imagine as a 1 year-old she will not be as chill and unobtrusive during a date).

Uncle Brian & Aunt Sarah Visit - Part I

Uncle Brian and Aunt Sarah spent a week with us. We had a great time. Lottie loved them--she especially found the fart noises Uncle Brian made with his mouth hilarious. We may have a little tomboy on our hands. We spent a lot of time hanging out and playing and just letting Lottie enjoy her Aunt and Uncle.

Can you see the similar arm positions? Definitely related.

Precious pair

Bath-time with Aunt Sarah 

Conversations with Uncle Brian:

Uncle Brian! Mom better not hear you say that.

Hehe. Actually that is pretty funny. Hehe.

Whoa! Too far Uncle Brian!

Aunt Sarah’s true colors:

Great accidental timing.

Other activities included a tour of VCOM, cooking, shopping, and eating at Mon Ami (a French crepe café), Wade’s (Southern food), and Caribbean Sweetness (a local Cuban restaurant that is probably our favorite place in Spartanburg to eat). We also spent a day at the Biltmore. We had a great time visiting the house and walking around the gardens, which were completely redone from the week before when I was there with Carrie.

The Conservatory

  The Gardens 

The House

 

Auntie Carrie is here!!! - Part II

This post title is misleading because Auntie Carrie is gone. Her visit was so fast despite being 6 days long. I miss her already. Very few people in this world are blessed with a friend so close that even the word sister doesn't begin to describe their relationship. I thank God constantly for her.
We enjoyed our last few days immensely. On Sunday, we cooked and baked after church. We have been baking together since high school and love when the opportunity presents itself. Over the visit we made:
- Earl Gray and Cranberry Ice Cream (from Jeni's Ice Cream cookbook)
- Strawberry Buttermilk Ice Cream (from Jeni's Ice Cream cookbook)
- Strawberry and Rhubarb Oatmeal Bars
- Pad Thai (recipe created by a college friend)
- Caesar Salad with Homemade Dressing (from The Pioneer Woman Cooks book 2)
- Cheese Fondue
- Chocolate Fondue (just Ghirardelli chocolate chips and butter)
- Cheese Enchiladas (these are the jam--it's all about the chili gravy)
- Mexican Street Corn on the Cob
- Mushrooms Stuffed with Brie (good but not amazing - better the next day).
 Lets just say Chris enjoyed having Carrie here as well.

Monday we we headed back to NC and drove a piece of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Unforunately, it is still too early for the rhododendron to be bloomong, but we enjoyed a beautiful day with some short hikes and great views. Chris joined us, which was both a lot of fun for us and really good for him. Being outside really revitalizes him.

Craggy Gardens Picnic Area

Craggy Gardens Pinnacle Trail

Mount Mitchell

On Tuesday, Carrie didn't leave until 650, so we got to hang out some more. She helped me figure out how to sew a blind hem. Sewing is not my thing but thankfully it is hers (she hand embroidered several onsies for Lottie. They are amazing.) We also gave Lottie a bath, which turned into more of an adventure than usual. Lottie chose to impress Auntie Carrie by pooing in her bath water right as we were finishing up her bath, so we had to start all over. The picture below is taken in between baths and about 30 seconds before Lottie peed in her towel. Her clever Auntie Carrie was prepared though and had a second towel under her bum and was holding her a couple inches away just in case. Lottie sure knows how to shake things up.

 

Carrie also had personalized tattoos made to commerate our week together. We thought they would be a funny surprise for our hubbies.

 

Dropping Carrie off at the airport included teary eyes on both sides, and I must admit I am still a little sad. We did have an incredible visit though, and I got to share my sweet baby with my best friend. Lottie gave many sweet smiles and good cuddles to Auntie Carrie, and Auntie Carrie showered Lottie with lots of kisses and squeezes just as any incredible aunt should. It was 6 days of realizing how incredibly blessed I am.