Christmas in July

Okay...

I admit, I may be a bit high maintenance.

But, I missed Christmas last year, and it looks as if we won't be coming home this year either. 

So, because my family is simply the best, they gave me "Christmas in July". 

Adam and Bama spent the night.

We filled stockings for each other (and of course our furry babies: Winston, Dudley, and Bama).

Even though MP was in Hong Kong, Santa was extra nice, and left him a stocking too.

We finished the morning off with our traditional Christmas Morning Breakfast.

It was a perfect Christmas. In July.
xx,
Lauren

Almost Time...

I head back to Hong Kong tomorrow morning...we've packed so much in, and I've seen so many people. Thank you all for making an effort to come to me. 

The Heil's hosted a Mexican fiesta lunch at their house this week. The Heils's and Murray's are second families to me, so I loved getting the chance to catch up with the girlies. 

 That evening, the Vater's went whitewater rafting at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte. 

We had a blast and were SOAKED by the end of our little rafting adventure. 

After rafting, it was time to go home and play Santa...(yes, you read that correctly).

Merry Christmas Eve!

xx,

Lauren

27615

I had the best weekend in Raleigh...

Leah and Garvin flew in from Florida. 

Marta flew from Chicago.

Zach and Emily drove from Charlotte.

The Hendrick's opened their home to us.

Friends cut their beach weekends short.

Babysitters were confirmed.

Schedules were re-arranged.

Just to accomodate me.

Am I lucky to have these people in my life?

More than you can even imagine.

First stop? 

8000 Haymarket Lane. You would be proud...I didn't cry. It was strange. I felt like I was home, but it wasn't our home anymore. Michael and Dudley weren't there. It wasn't our stuff in that house...but it still was just as cute as can be. I think I'll always love that house. Our first. 

 The boys started the weekend off with a few drinks.

If you have no idea what these crazy pictures are about, knock yourself out here:

Bros icing bros

We grilled out at the Hendricks, 

and the boys skyped with Michael. 

On Saturday, Steph and Keith stopped by with Reagan. I saw Reagan right before we left last year, so it was so great to see how sweet, adorable, and BIG she is! 

Here's a bit of the rest of the day. 

We went out to dinner that night, and LOOK who came! 

Thank you guys for such a great night...

The next day, I was able to meet up with even more of my Raleigh girls.

I'm so, so thankful for all of you. 

Thank you for making the effort to come to me.

Until next time...

xx,

Lauren

Love

This is what I'm loving:

Falling asleep to the sound of cicadas

Quiet nightly walks around the neighborhood

Carolina blue sky...EVERY day

The smell of freshly cut grass

Putting shopping bags in the TRUNK

This is what I'm loving even more:

I can't tell you how great is was to see all of you. 

I miss this guy though. 

He left Monday.

I hate being apart. 

He does have enough snacks to last until I get home.

I miss you MP, but know this little man is so happy to have you home. 

Off to Raleigh....SO EXCITED!

xx, 

Lauren

ps---blogger is taking forever to upload my pics. Anyone else having this problem?

States-side

We've been in North Carolina for a little over a week and are having the best time. It's so good to be back...

We've been super busy and I can hardly believe Michael heads back to Hong Kong on Monday. It just hasn't been enough time, but we are taking advantage of every spare moment to see friends and family.

Here's what we've been up to:

Josh and Devin invited us to the Daniel's lake house in Georiga to celebrate the 4th. 

It was a perfect weekend...

and we got to spend it with some of our bestest friends.

On our way back from Georiga, we stopped to visit this cutie.

This is Wyatt...our 1 year old precious nephew. 

I could just eat him up. 

We made our way back to Charlotte, and I have been loving on this guy quite a bit.

He isn't Dudley, but he's doing a great job of pretending he loves me as much as Dudley does :) 

We had dinner one night with some of our favorites.

...and stopped to tour the Pink House. 

We finally met Cielo

and had a great dinner with her and Adam.

We're off to a wedding this afternoon, but just wanted to give you a sneak peak of our time in the States.

I'm off to Raleigh next weekend and am so excited to see more of my dear friends!

xx,

Lauren