Weston turns 12!

On July 20th, Weston turned 12.   He has gotten so OLD! :)  Sometime during this past year, he completely passed me in height.  It was around Easter that we noticed that he and I were the same height, almost exactly.  A couple weeks later, we were walking down the street; and I realized I was looking up at him... and I was wearing heels!!!!  How crazy is that?   In just a matter of weeks, he passed by me.  We also noticed that he passed my mom, too.

Look how tall he is!

Because Weston has a summer birthday, we are often traveling during his special day.  This year, Mom and Dad were here somewhat close to his birthday (for the first time ever), so we decided to celebrate it a little early, while they were still here. 

We went out to eat together (which worked out really well, since we still had boxes everywhere!)... all you can eat pizza for Weston! :)

Then we came home to open gifts

In the midst of the move (and because we were celebrating early), we didn't have time to actually go out and get his gift.  So we gave him two gift certificates!... which also allowed him to go with Wes and be a part of picking it out.  In case you can't read it, he got a laptop for his birthday... an 'essential' for online school! He also received Minecraft along with it! 

He essentially got two birthdays in one... because on his actual birthday, we still had to celebrate! :) 

His favorite breakfast... strawberry coffee cake

And thankfully... since we were still dealing with lots of craziness... he just wanted a very simple cake: OREO!... So, it had Oreos in the cake batter, Oreos in the middle filling, and of course, Oreos on top!

Not too impressive to look at, but it was oh, so good to eat!! :)

And he finally got his actual laptop!

It's so hard to believe my baby boy has gotten so big.  He is such a blessing to us.  I'm so proud of the man he is becoming... so responsible, respectful, and such a heart to serve! The thing I am most grateful for is his soft heart before the Lord and His obvious presence in Weston's life.  We are looking forward to this new year and all the changes it holds for both Weston (with online schooling!) and with our family!  Our last year before we have a teenager in the house???? ... Hard to believe. :)

My best friend, her best friend

This is a little out of order, but I couldn't pass this by... it was such a special time for us!  Before we knew we would have to move out of our big house by the beach, we had already made plans with my best friend from college and her family to come visit before school was even out for the kids.  In our town house, we had plenty of space for company... and living right on the beach, it was the perfect vacation spot!! :)

I should have been packing.  Lara offered to help me pack; and truly, next to my mom, she's the one I knew could help me the most.  She's amazing like that.  But with only two weeks left before the move, Wes and I decided we wanted to make sure we enjoyed this time with Brad, Lara, and Emma to the fullest.  And we did!

Emma and Carolina are just 8 months apart.  It was so special watching my daughter with the daughter of my best friend.  We vacationed together when we were on STAS, and the girls talk on Skype every once in a while.  But even after being apart for so long, they still have this connection.  It melts my heart, and I pray they keep it over the years!

Just had to share the sweetness...

Playing at Gulliver's Park

Talking to the police on horseback in the park

Front row seats at the Dolphin show!

Carolina got chosen to pet the dolphins!!

Her dream come true!!

It's hard to believe that our friendship began 20 years ago in a college dorm.  What memories Lara and I have together! ... and now these memories include our own sweet girlies... 

sharing this same bond.  

Precious.