The Pillar and The Pond kids enjoying every last bit of summer evening swims… school is approaching way too fast! 

Noelle was a guest on Brayden’s YouTube show, Learning with Brayden, this week!  She introduced him to her favorite hobby, the rainbow loom.  They are so cute and sweet learning together!  I hope it brightens your day and brings a big smile to your face like it did mine!   

So beyond thankful we got to go to the Kelly’s wedding this summer.  We’ll hold it in our hearts always!

I think the only sweets we have these days is frozen yogurt, but still a stickler, only one topping each! 

One afternoon when we had a little extra time, we drove all around the neighborhood we were staying in.  The houses/condos were all so characterized and cute.  My mom absolutely loves looking at houses everywhere she goes.  I knew she would just love seeing all that we were seeing, so I took pictures of our favorites to show her.  Some of them even had themed names.  The girls loved reading all of their fun names!  We didn’t stay at the condo in the picture on the right, but it was by far our absolute favorite!

Lil’ Jewel was Anna Kate’s favorite!  See how they are the same floor plan but look totally different.  I love that kind of stuff!

Which one do you think was Noelle’s favorite?  Of course, the one on the left!

Our last dinner on the beach was so fun and silly!  Love Emme to pieces, by the way.  How adorable is she!?!

We had a blast celebrating Cow Appreciation Day, and it really broke up our trip home (which took 16 hours)!  This is a pretty highway picture in Mississippi.  It was fun seeing all the southern states, but we were so happy when we finally made it home!

Our last night in Destin, we ate at a fun seafood restaurant on the beach.  Before dinner, we took one last set of pictures on the beach.  We’ve been home for a couple of week now, and we already miss this place so much!  It was just what we needed!  No schedule, lots of playing, lots of relaxing, lots of fun!

Layla, Noelle, Anna Kate, Madi, Rose, Emme, and Macy ready to play play play on our last full day at the beach!

Rose and Madi made great friends at the wedding and ran towards each other with open arms when they saw each other again today!  She’s a Texas girl too, so we’ll get to play again at home!

I begged Rose to wear sunglasses, and she adamantly refused.  Sometimes ya gotta learn tha hard way, darlin’.

Mermaids in the ocean!

These two really hit it off!

So, this morning, a storm rolled in a kicked up a bunch of seaweed.  The water was pretty gross!  In the picture on the left, Noelle is holding some algae up for her friends to see.  It didn’t stop the kids, but I was done with the water for this trip.  

Layla was peacefully sleeping on the beach under our tent, but cracked a smile when I tried to take her picture.  Sweet girl!

Sand castles were going up by the dozens today, all different shapes and sizes, fully “decorated” of course!

Noelle and I got this one started for everyone to come help decorate! 

Lots of time and precision went into making this one just right!

Ty, Carey, Mike and Mo watching all of our girls play – all 7 of them, plus lots of Carey’s super fun cousins!

Noelle and Ansley had fun making friends, and Rose is holding out her hands like she owns this place, ha! (note the glasses are on)

Whew!  Mama’s feet are tired, but I’d rather be no where else in the entire world, and I guess that’s a pretty good place to be!

Another day, another story!

Rose got in the water today!  The next few pictures are Rose discovering/enjoying the ocean!

Rose made a new little friend from Alabama that played with her several days on the beach!

Anna Kate flew across the waves on her boogie board!

Rose and Riley

Anna Kate made a sweet friend at the pool named Trevon.  They played and played!  I love how easily our girls make friends!

Can you tell how excited Anna Kate was to find some flowers that matched her swimming suit?  She’s a cutie!

Rose, Anna Kate, Macy, Emme, Noelle, Layla, and Isabella were so excited for Ty and Carey’s wedding on the beach!

Ms. Kim and Emme were stunning!

Ty lovingly focused on his bride melted my heart.  He deserves all the happiness in the world, and we are so thankful he found it!

This was such a magical evening, I just can’t describe it.  There is nothing better in life!  Congrats Ty and Carey!  We love you both so much!