Goodbye Goats!: hairstyles are a milestone

September 1

Sunroom

This guy. Mostly all smiles and looking like a long and leaner.

September 2

MCV

Sunset on the job. Not a bad thing to look up and notice.

September 3

Libbie Mill

In a little girl's life, new hairstyles are a milestone. Especially when they are pigtails!

September 4

Kids' Room

This is not a hairstyle milestone. In fact, she looks like a completely different kid when she's got the scraggly bangs-in-the-face look.

September 5

Airspace

Edwin and I en route to Little Rock, once more. Blue skies over Chicago this afternoon.

September 6

Southridge

Little Rock

It couldn't have been a more beautiful setting to celebrate a more beautiful person. My middle school (and still today) best friend's mom passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. She was more than just my friend's mom. She was my friend, too. We travelled together, laughed together, and did many other things that would be embarrassing/incriminating to mention. All of it will make me smile forever.

September 7

Airspace

Somewhere between Little Rock and Charlotte we saw the sunrise. While painfully early (we got to the airport at 4 am), I love to fly when there's an opportunity to see the sun from this perspective. It's peaceful and sobering, especially after all the loss.

September 8

Kilmarnock

First Ducky and Bunker (late) Summer Camp for LB and EJ commenced yesterday, a few hours after Edwin and I landed in Richmond. First on the agenda, naked bike riding.

Hiawassee, GA

Meanwhile, Andy and I are enjoying this incredible view while we celebrate Matt and Jeta sans kids! I think it's important to note that this is our first kid-free night/s since we went to see Ryan Adams in May of 2015. Whoa.

September 9

Kilmarnock,VA

Ignorance is bliss. But come to find out poor guy is a mama's boy and giving Ducky and Bunker a run for their money these first couple days. (I know he looks perfectly cute and happy here. Misleading if you ask Bunker.) He did get better and even started sleeping through the night, which is pretty much a miracle in my book. Which would be titled, Secure the Upper Bonus. That's just a little Lydia trivia for you.

Murphy, NC

I wish we could do this every weekend. Really just more than once a year. These girls, bride not pictured, are six of the best things to ever happen to me.

September 10

Kilmarnock, VA

All's well as far as I'm concerned!

Murphy, NC

How many bridesmaids does it take to secure a veil? All of them.

Just needed to document how well-rested we look.

September 11

Kilmarnock, VA

Ducky and Bunker's Summer Camp ends with a bang! And one kid on her way to being potty trained and the other on his way to being sleep trained.

Nantahala National Forest, NC

We pulled over for the vista. Look at that heavenly light shining down on the angel!

September 12

Preschool

All kinds of transitions for our growing girl. Four nights away from mom and dad and then we throw her in school. For two hours. That's how long it was supposed to last. This is the best we could do for a photo since she wasn't too keen on letting us leave her.

September 13

Living Room

Her first school project and she ripped it all up. So we chose to decorate with tape. Totally intentional.

September 14

Whisk

I've literally been waiting for this all summer. Every time a picture of a macaroon ice-cream sandwich pops up in my Instagram feed, I salivate. Well, we finally went and I was a little underwhelmed. It could've been the flavor option (saffron salted caramel something or other), but I'm kind of glad about that so I don't feel the urge to go every day.

September 15

Twin Hickory

Two little monkeys swinging in a tree.

Back on the home front, drywall gets delivered while there is still easy access.

September 16

Lewis Ginter

These two cuties exchanging romantic glances with each other and the camera.

Back on the home front, easy access is no longer available.

September 17

Short Pump Mall

Spending the morning at a mall: better than one might expect. Water features and frog statues galore keep them busy. Thank you.

September 18

Field Day's of the Past

Goochland, VA

Dressed these kids in overalls for the farm animals at the fair. Leena's favorite part: the free sample of chocolate milk. Not the real calf next to it. She did love petting and feeding all the animals though.

September 19

The Mill

Final dinner with Kiki before she hits the skies in the morning. She loves all her grands and they love cooperating for photos.

September 20

Street

All these crazy caterpillars. Leena gets down real low and talks to them and says things like "aaah" in a real sweet voice.

September 21

Sunroom

Making sure Jonah has adequate dinner entertainment.

September 22

Kitchen

Celebrating four years of marriage with solo time, no electricity, and good food. Let me elaborate...Andy's gift: upgraded electrical service for the shop. My gift: kid free morning. Our gift: homemade empanadas and tres leches for dinner.