Charlotte's Birthday

Last week Charlotte turned nine! The baby of the family is growing up. To commemorate it I did a photo shoot in a new dress she received from Emily for her birthday. And it gave me a chance to practice using my new flash in the shade, I really like my new flash, you can't really tell I used one for all these pictures. 

I couldn't decide which ones I like better out of the above and the next three so I posted them all. 

Her new headband and sunglasses

Checking over directions with Nana

Lottie receiving her new scooter

And off she goes!

Birthday Pie

Nana brought two dresses with her, this one was the dress her mother wore to her (Nana's) wedding. 

And this one Nana wore when she was 17

18th Birthday at Hampton Plantation

For my 18th birthday my mom and some friends and my sisters went to South Carolina for a daytrip to visit Hampton Plantation. This was the last home of Eliza Lucas Pinckney, the woman who succeeded in cultivating indigo in the lowcountry region bringing  enormous wealth to the colony during the latter half of the 18th century.  Virtually everything about the house is completely original--amazingly preserved and beautiful. 

Standing on the lawn. I love old white houses with columns. So fun. :)

Across this river there used to be rice fields as far as the eye could see. Now it's filled with bugs as far as the eye can see...lol

Lined up on the front portico escaping the heat

Me, the birthday girl

My closest friend

This was the mantle in the ballroom, all original, all hand carved. 

Charlotte looking out the window at the George Washington Oak--a tree he took note of during a 1792 visit to meet Eliza Pinckney whom he recognized as a heroic patriot.  Not long after that meeting Eliza died while visiting Philadelphia; Washington requested to serve as a pall bearer at her funeral.

Dinner on the way home at Olive Garden. 

Birthday Girl

As of February 16 my family now has 3 teenagers. Emily turned 13 last week and we celebrated by inviting two families over along with my grandparents. We had a delicious salmon dinner that my Dad cooked. 

For her birthday I gave her a cake decorating book. I'm enjoying it just as much as she is!

During the evening we had two women write Emily a letter with advice for her teenage years. 

Despite the fact that she practiced she didn't blow all 13 candles out at once. :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Birthday Boy

Two weeks ago Carter turned 15, and to celebrate we went to the Oceanic Restaurant on Wrightsville Beach. And this week he went to the DMV and got his driving permit!

The light outside was absolutely golden so I went out with the girls to take some pictures around a nearby old pier.