Woo! What a way to kick off summer! We were so lucky to have wonderful weather after what felt like a solid week of rain and spent the weekend right. We went to the community pool on opening day, then spent Sunday with our close group of neighbors at one of the neighbor’s parent’s house (shown in all of the pictures). They were so gracious to let us use their beautiful outdoor space while they were out of town, which kind of made us all feel like a group of giddy high schoolers having a raging party while the parents were away… only with 9 children running around (and another on the way).
I know I talk about this group often here on the blog, but it’s hard to explain just how close we four families have become over the past year. Seriously, these people are the whole package: funny, smart, open-minded, helpful, generous, and just so much fun. We started hanging out so naturally, just gathering on sidewalks and front lawns and the playground last summer, only to realize that it was more than proximity — we all really, really like each other and wanted to hang out even without kids. So during the colder months, we started a tradition of getting babysitters and going out together once a month. It has become something we make time to do, and now that the weather is warm and we’re all outdoors again, we see even more of each other. It just keeps getting better and better. Our kids look out for each other (and bicker like siblings) and I love that there are so many adults we trust also looking out for our kids (and we’re looking out for theirs!). It’s what I’ve always imagined a neighborhood could be — and we feel so lucky to be a part of it. 
We managed to get our first (and what I imagine is the first of many in the coming years) group shot with everyone. Here’s the gang. We love you guys! Thank you for making our lives so sweet right now. As Emil would say, “You’re the best!”
Happy Memorial Day. We hope you are surrounded by love.
I so envy this community! We have a great neighborhood too, but I’m shy and so just slowly learning who is who…. It looks like so much fun to legitimately have close friends do near by. How lucky you all are!
This tight-knit community has really only come together over the past year or so… and it is exactly that — luck! I hope you find your community. For us, it just took being outside walking around the neighborhood and hanging out in our front yard/sidewalk a lot. People tend to gather when they see others out there. It is so special, and I do realize how easy it makes life!