My brother and his beautiful bride became husband and wife last month on a hot, gorgeous, unforgettable July day! And oh what fun it was to be a part of these nuptials! Our whole family was involved with the preparations...and it was really all-hands-on-deck since Stephen and Elinor had planned for their reception to be in my parent's backyard.

There were so many gorgeous details in this wedding! Elinor's beautiful touches were everywhere. It was downright dreamy...straight out of a fairytale!

I felt such excitement leading up to this wedding and could barely contain my joy the day of. I wrote a little caption on Instagram about how honored I felt to be a part of Steve and Elinor's wedding day. And I still feel that way! Of course it's a blast to join in the lead-up to the wedding day...the showers and parties and planning. And it is downright fun to get ready with the bride the morning of...the hair...make-up...dress reveal. But I felt deep soul-satisfying joy to stand there alongside Elinor at the front of the Naval Academy Chapel as she looked into my brother's eyes and made these simple, weighty vows to him. And I felt quite overcome as I watched my brother's steady gaze into his bride's eyes (he never looked away!) and heard him repeat these same vows. What a sacred and incredibly beautiful moment to witness. And what an honor to be invited to love and support this couple in all of the years to come.

Andrew and I both feel such great joy at the wonderful season they are entering into...not without its challenges, of course! ;) But marriage is such a great and good gift. And Stephen and Elinor had waited so many long months to begin that journey together. We were, and are, simply filled with happiness for them.

Here is a little photo dump of so many beautiful moments from the weekend. Hard to recap it all...Annapolis, Pastor Lon's wonderful words to the couple, celebrating with the Swedes, boating on the Severn River, running across the Yard to make it to the chapel on time!...I think the sweetest thing about a family wedding is that you can recount those memories for years and years to come.

Congratulations to these head-over-heels newlyweds...my brother and my darling new sister-in-law!

the reception tent on Friday morning 

practicing their first dance

sisters! the bride & her beautiful maid of honor

If there was a wedding VIP award it would go to Abby Smith! Babysitter...chalkboard designer...purse wrangler...and all-around woman extraordinaire! *insert praise hands*

"Welcome to the Navy! Look at those smiles! :D 

pc: Elinor's wonderful Mom, Carina...she took so many gorgeous candids throughout the whole weekend!

so dreammmmyyy! sending them off with fireworks and sparklers

pc: Peter Kroon

walking down the aisle with my handsome groom!

pc: Brother!

pc: Peter Kroon

Life Lately.

March has sped by! I took a little break from social media for Lent. It's been so refreshing. I've missed Insta, but not so much Facebook. I aways feel so back and forth with social media. I love it for keeping up with friends/family members, but hate how mindlessly I can start to scroll through feeds.

This little corner of our kitchen makes me so happy. Especially that morning light. Give me all the morning light!!

Andrew picked up Duck Donuts the other Saturday morning and I am embarrassed to admit he and I single-handedly polished off most of the box. #SHEERHEAVEN

George is into pulling every book off his bookshelf these days. Anything to help him become a reader! I love that he's curious about books. I love him period! He is such a joy...even with sick days and sleepless nights and teething fussiness... it is all so worth it. I love being his mom.

Is it just me or are Trader Joe's flowers the best mood lifter?

My friend, Emily, texted me this quote and I'm still laughing about it. Starbucks for the win!

My friend, Lindsay Ann, recommend The Nightingale to me, promising it would be a fantastic read, and IT.WAS. I read it in three days and still can't stop thinking about it!

My Mom and Sis and I traveled to Annapolis a few weekends ago for a girl's weekend. George got to tag along, too. :) It was so special to be back in Annapolis. We have so many memories as a family from time spent together there. I never get tired of visiting. My brother and his fiancée are getting married in Annapolis later this summer, and I cannot wait to celebrate there with them! 

Highlights from our Annapolis weekend:

T-Court selfies. The USNA Chapel. Crepes at Sofi's. Snuggling in front of the fireplace. Baby on the move! Conversation and the Kardashians. Sink baths. Lullabies with Aunt Courtney and Nani at midnight. McGarvey's and reminiscing about John Vorndick. Brunch from the Iron Rooster. Walks on the Yard. Shopping at the Mid store. Starbucks, Starbucks, Starbucks. Kilwins fudge. The Devil Wears Prada. Coffee break down Ego Alley. Sailboats. St. Patrick's Day parade two weeks early? The sun setting over the Yard. The Severn at dusk.

This week before Easter is always one of my favorite weeks of the whole year. I love every moment between Palm Sunday and the joy-filled celebrations of Easter morning. The older I get the more certain I become that Spring is my favorite season and Easter is my favorite holiday. I hope you're enjoying a beautiful week, too!