Labor Day Weekend 2013

We had a busy and fun holiday weekend! On Saturday, Caroline had a birthday party and then we just spent time around the house, hanging out as a family. On Sunday, we went to the pool and the playground, and then on Monday we went to the Labor Day party at Westwood and then to a BBQ at a friend's house. It was the perfect was to spend a long weekend! We are looking forward to one week of downtime before school starts up next Monday.

Margaret ready to ride in her sunglasses (yes, they are upside down).

Crazy-haired Julia engrossed in her Duplo blocks play. 

Margaret ready to take the plunge - the sunglasses are a constant for her these days.

Julia and Caroline clowning around in the baby pool. 

Yeah, I sprayed her. Got a problem with that?

At the playground

Julia and Margaret taking Mommy on a ride.

Julia helping Daddy across the step stools.

A bicycle built for 3 (or 4 or 5).

The bounce house at Westwood was just a tad cooler than ours.

Julia chowing down at the Westwood BBQ. 

Having fun with some friends.

I love this swing...even if I don't fit in it.

Margaret chowing down at our second BBQ of the day. Again, with the sunglasses...

Homemade ice cream in the clubhouse!

Mrs. Kathryn and her new snuggle buddy, Margaret. 

We had a great weekend!!

Winding Down and Gearing Up

The end of August is upon us, and for this Hepper family that means preschool is finally in sight! We are winding down the summer and gearing up for the start of the new school year.   While I have immensely enjoyed the extra time I got to spend with my little people this summer, I know how much they love preschool and how wonderful of a place it is to be. I know the girls will enjoy being back in school with their friends and teachers, and I am (super duper) excited for a little extra free time.

We are spending the final days of our summer doing all the things we love best: playing outside, bouncing in our bounce house, meeting up with friends, going to the pool, and just spending time with each other. In a week and a half, the school year will begin and we'll be back to a more structured routine. Caroline will start gymnastics and ballet and the babies will be adjusting to going to preschool three days a week.

And did I mention that Caroline will be in Pre-K this year?? I don't know about you, but that seems like an awfully big step!! We are all really excited about it though and think this will be an extra special year.

Cutie pie Margaret.

Caroline is getting better and better at riding her bike.

Julia looking pretty despite being covered in paint.

Daddy snuggling with his youngest daughters.

Off to the races!

This is the twins' best "cheeese!!!!" face.

New favorite activity: watching a photo slideshow on Mommy's laptop. Woodstock enjoys it too. :)

Caroline and her buddies, "Big Caroline" and Campbell.

Bubble bath girls!

Caroline climbing high at one of our new favorite playgrounds. 

Miss Margaret having a blast in the pool!

Beach-a-Pallooza 2013

Holy Moly. We just got back home from two straight weeks at the beach, and we are tuckered out! We frolicked in the waves, swam in the pool, built sand castles, hunted for seashells and jellyfish, played with grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles, ate too much junk food, and even celebrated a birthday. We had a great time.  However, despite all those wonderful things we did and all the fun we had, I failed to get ANY family pictures. Boo. I even packed pretty portrait dresses for the girls. Oh well...I did get a ton of other great pictures, so we'll just be happy about that.

We spent one week with my side of the family at Carolina Beach and one week with Daddy's family in the Outer Banks. It was a great way to end our summer!

Carolina Beach...

Caroline testing the water on her first day at the beach.

Mommy and Caroline relaxing on the beach.

All the cousins: Sophia, Landon, Margaret, Julia, and Caroline.

Caroline and Sophia

Margaret enjoying some Rita's in the buff!

Julia at her first bar. Don't judge...we were just waiting for a table in the restaurant ;)

Caroline and Sophia enjoying the delights of the Carolina Beach boardwalk.

Bikini girls

Margaret and Grampy 

Margaret and Julia thrilled to be at the beach for the first time ever.

Yum-o! 

Best buds Caroline and Sophia

Margaret was not a fan of the ocean, but she LOVED playing in the sand.

One of the many times Marmee got buried at the beach.

Feeding ducks with Grampy

Julia helping Aunt Allison blow out her birthday candles. 

Rub-a-dub-dub, all the girl cousins in the tub!

Corolla, in the Outer Banks...

The girls were excellent travelers.

Corolla was beautiful!

Caroline's favorite store: Super Wings. 

Caroline the butterfly 

We even saw our neighbor and buddy, Campbell! 

Grandpa and Julia enjoying the pool.

We ate lots of ice cream!

Caroline LOVED the beach!

The girls watching Daddy and Uncle Tate put together their kite. 

It flies! 

The cousins enjoyed lots of play time together.

We were lucky to have Daddy there for most of the two weeks.

Julia hunting for seashells.

Grandpa had lots of tricks up her sleeves to keep us occupied.

Putt-putt golf with the Grandparents.

Caroline taking a big swing.

Julia giving it a shot.

Daddy giving a golf lesson to his girls.

Aunt Erin hosting a dance party.

Feeding the turtles with Grandpa.

Introducing Two More Sets of Hepper Twins!

Hopefully, the title of that post didn't throw you for too much of a loop as many of you know that Paul has a twin brother (Tate) who also has a set of twins himself (with his lovely wife and our sister-in-law, Donna). If you didn't know that, rest assured, Paul and I ARE NOT expecting more twins (thank heaven!!!)
Regardless, what you might not know, is that Tate, Donna, and their too-cute one year old twins, Will and Claire, moved to Richmond this week. Yep, that means there are now THREE sets of Hepper twins residing in the fabulous RVA! We are thrilled to finally have family in town and are looking forward to our girls spending lots of cousin time with Will and Claire.

Paul, Will, Claire, and Tate