memorial day | a first.

Our morning was spent out on the town, and our afternoon was spent in the backyard at our beloved bungalow. We put our new kiddie pool to good use for the first time, and we were (naively) certain that B would love it. The temperature change in water was something that we didn't take into consideration before getting his little piggies wet, and I'm so thankful that Teesh was ready, camera in-hand, to document the smiles become tears and go back to smiles again. After a few minutes, he was adjusted (daddy's bright idea to dump some hot water into the pool to warm it up helped the process along), and we spent the next half hour taking in all of his coos + splashes. I'm pretty positive that everyone in the neighborhood heard those initial screams, but he shared the enjoyment that came later just with us. I think he liked his mommy being in the pool with him, too (well, that's what she thinks, anyway).

The three Bargerons are excited that summer is just around the corner, because lots of time in the water is almost upon us! We're thankful to have so many firsts during this new season of parenthood, and it pumps Teesh + me up to think that we're just getting started.

memorial day | #HPNJdoLIFE.

The sun was shining, we proudly wore our red + white + blue in honor of all those who have given their lives for our country, P. Sawyer had been home for a week, Teesh had the day off from school, and we decided that it was the perfect morning to walk from Cleveland Park to downtown Greenville along our beloved Swamp Rabbit Trail. We've been making up for lost time over the past two months by walking this trail every few weeks, and it has become one of my favorite outside adventures that is quick + easy. Teesh toted B around on his back, and he talked to us for a while before taking a snooze. We extended our trip by walking along Main Street, stopping for an iced goodie at Port City Java (where we pretended like we were in Wilmy) + taking a quick look around Mast General Store to do some daydreaming before heading back. Oh, if only days like this would last forever. I'd be perfectly content exploring my time away with these three.

#HPNJdoLIFE, folks. We all love our newest addition so very much!

jane's first.

Another sunny afternoon with the five Elliotts? Someone pinch me! Just last month, we celebrated Henry turning four, and Jane's first birthday gave us a reason to celebrate some more. In honor of this precious girl, her family put together a precious brunch on Sunday afternoon so that friends + family could come love on her + watch her (and her brothers, of course) smash her cake. Her grandparents even came in from Atlanta and Iowa, and TJ + I were thankful to be a part of such a joyous occasion. It seems like it was just yesterday that Kate sent me a picture of their newborn baby girl to share the good news, and now she has already turned one. I love having a special spot into this family's life, and you can bet that I take full advantage of happy moments with them - even the ones that are unimportant by the world's standards. What a treat it has been to watch this little girl grow in her first year of life, first as a babysitter and now as an honorary member of the family.

Hooray for Janey Joo!

family fun day | 2k15.

It's hard to believe that it's been a year since our first annual #familyfunday, and now we have our second annual in the books with it. About fifty of us gathered in Fountain Inn on Saturday afternoon to celebrate past + present + future milestones, and our time together consisted of playing wiffle ball, eating hot dogs + barbecue + plenty of fixins, shooting pool, playing cornhole, sitting around the bonfire once the sun began to go down, and making ourselves comfy in the shade while the sun was hottest. B was passed around like a hot potato so that mommy + daddy could participate in the games, and he was perfectly content even with limited nap time. Everyone felt the effects of this day when they got up the next morning (myself included), but I think we'd all agree that every ache + pain was worth the memories made. Cheers to a big family and another happy memory!

farmer's market.

Our Saturday morning was full of sunshine, friends, smiles, baby boys, local fun, new eats, surprise run-ins, and admiration of this beautiful city we get to call home. Life is so much sweeter when it is embraced in community, and this memory is proof of it. As my good friend, Jack, always says, it's always better when we're together.