Savannah's graduation

This week my sweet sister Savannah graduated from high school! As a result, for the second time this month, my entire family gathered together for a weekend of celebrating! From cookouts to food prep to girl/guy breakfasts to church to graduation to a family shrimp boil, I'm happy to say we enjoyed every bit of our time all together!

All 18 of us! 20 if you count our puppies Foster and Mina...

We are so proud of how hard Savannah worked during her time at CPA, be it in her AP classrooms, on the set of Fiddler on the Roof, or on the cross country course and track. Savannah is passionate and inspirational to others in all that she does, and loves those around her so very well.

In addition to all of her school responsibilities, especially in the past weeks since we moved to Tennessee, she has been such a great friend to me and aunt to Jack. I have heard people say that one of the greatest ways to show love to a parent is to love their children, and I wholeheartedly agree.

We love you, Savannah, and are so proud of who you are and where you're going!

* Photos by Geniese Gilman

Auntie Laura is here!!!

Luke's sister, Laura, is serious about her aunt responsibilities.

Since she won't be able to get off of work when Jack and I go visit her family or when they come here this summer, Laura asked for a graduation present of a plane ticket to meet baby Jack -- between her 6 grueling months of studying for the MCAT, and heading back for a summer of work in Southern CA -- and then potentially on to South America to serve there for a year. Since Laura has finished her MCAT only hours before her cross-country flight, we wanted to celebrate with her while she was here!

So, we went to...

Puckett's Grocery in downtown Franklin for some good ol' Southern barbecue and fixins:

The Schermerhorn Symphony Center for Regions free day of music:

Then on to the walking bridge for a view of Nashville's skyline:

And after a full day, we treated ourself to homemade tortillas and cold beers at SATCO:

Jack treated himself to a nap on my lap:

While Luke worked Laura, Jack, and I visited beautiful Radnor Lake:

Where we saw friends Elisabeth and Lucas!

And the next day we went for a hike in Warner Park:

Where we ran into this guy:

Surely he's harmless?!

That night we headed to Rusan's in the Gulch for sushi and then on to Las Paletas for scratchmade gourmet popsicles:

We finished off Laura's time here with lunch at Merridee's Breadbasket:

with our friends Becca and Camille. (How did we not get a picture with you, Bec?!)

And then we took a walk around downtown Franklin, including a walk by the newly restored theatre, before having to send Laura back home for her (very) full summer! 

Thank you for coming to visit us, Auntie Laura! We LOVED spending time with you and hope you can come back soon!

Philip and Stephanie's wedding

This weekend we all traveled up to Knoxville for my brother Philip's college graduation and wedding to my sweet new sister-in-law Stephanie! Family weddings are some of my absolute favorite days, and this weekend did not disappoint. It was such a sweet time working and celebrating together!

It started with graduation:

Then moved to brunch at the Xi house, courtesy of Julianna:

Then we moved across the street for the rehearsal dinner:

And then Saturday was the wedding!

Now our family has grown once again. Welcome, Stephanie!!!