Ryan had to work on Monday, so our holiday weekend was not a particularly long one, but we made the most of it and had fun at my friend Carrie’s parents’ house on Lake Norman on Sunday.
Their house could not have been more stunning and the set up was perfect for four families with babies in tow. We all brought pack and plays and baby monitors with us so the babies could nap while we were there which allowed us to hang out all day long. We’re so used to hanging out in two-hour increments thanks to the little ones, so to have a whole day together felt extra special!
I truly had to hold back from snapping pictures of every room of Carrie’s parents’ place because the interior of their home was almost as gorgeous as the stunning lake views from their backyard. Carrie’s mom is an interior designer and it shows!
We spent most of the day in the backyard and had blankets and a bucket of toys spread out for the babies to play with while the adults hung out and chatted away over food, wine and beer.
Some of the guys took jet skis out which I’d love to do next time!
(Pic from my Snapchat –> juliepbfingers)
We all brought dishes to share for an afternoon barbeque and I had no trouble filling up my plate with grilled chicken, potato salad, green beans, berries, chips and guacamole.
I made a kale salad and a batch of triple layer chocolate mint bars for the party and naturally forgot to snap pictures of both dishes. I loosely followed Gina’s recipe for kale salad and combined avocado, almond butter and coconut aminos to make a “dressing” to use to massage the kale before tossing it with crushed roasted almonds, celery and chopped green onions. It was so good and I am hoping to make another batch for lunch this week.
The chocolate mint bars were way too addicting and I have my friend Chandra to thank for that recipe! We texted back and forth after she posted a picture of the bars on her Snapchat and I immediately requested the recipe. They did not disappoint and were a refreshing dessert thanks to the pop of peppermint in the middle of the bars. I hope to make them again soon and photograph everything so I can share it with you guys. So good!
Our day wrapped up around 6 p.m. when all the babies started to get a little fussy and let us know bedtime was near, so we headed out and put Chase to bed after a quick bath when we arrived back home. I’m pretty sure I was sound asleep by 9:45 p.m. like a total rockstar! It was a great Sunday!
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Hi Julie! Wanted to let you know how much I have enjoyed reading your blog! I stumbled upon it last year when I was searching for new workouts to try. We lived in the Concord area for about 8 years, and have a son who will be turning 10 months old next week. Have loved seeing familiar places & reading about your journey through your son’s first year! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thank you so much for taking the time to comment, Julia! Love that our little ones are the same age, too!! <3
I had to laugh when you mentioned the two hour window with the babies. So true. But the day looks like a blast – dying to see the inside. Who wants to decorate my house? 😉
What gorgeous views!
Oh my goodness, the babies are the CUTEST. Must try the “dressing” for kale. I eat it all the time but so much prefer it when it’s soaked in dressing for a while.
What a fun day! I love spending anytime by water. I brought a mediterranean chickpea salad and fudgy brownies to a BBQ we had this past weekend. All about balance b/c I can’t say no to those sweet treats!
I love weekends at the lake! What a fun Memorial Day weekend!
I love how everyone is really getting on the Snapchat train these days! I just followed you the other day. 🙂
Great post! I love your sunglasses! Where did you get them?
Hi Julie!
You always look so pulled together! Can you do an updated hair and makeup routine/product list? I have a two month old and would love to see how you fit in the time!
It looks like their house is on a beautiful spot by the lake!
Sounds like the best way to spend a weekend! The fact that you guys all have little ones around the same age is such a blessing, because you get to experience them growing up together 🙂
Sounds like a great day!! We spent the weekend in GA at my in-laws lake house!! Being on the lake in the warm weather is the best!!
Sounds like an amazing way to celebrate the weekend! So fun that you have some friends with kids the same age and in relatively the same stages. Though y’all will definitely have to get out and about on that jet ski next time!
So glad you guys had so much fun!
XO, Jessica
http://www.semisweettooth.com
aw that pic of all three babies is precious!
loving your girlfriend’s American flag sweater. currently googling where to find it 🙂
I am going to see her later today so I’ll be sure to ask and report back!!
Lake days are the best! It looks like you guys had a blast!
the babies are so sweet! love the idea to set out blankets for them to play and roll around. the house looks gorgeous, too!
so happy you liked the salad 🙂
hope you have a great week!
That looks like such a fun weekend. And it is awesome that you have friends with babies all so close in age! So many memories to be made.
I love all the babies hanging out together!!
yay looks like such fun! That dressing idea sounds great–i love anything nut butter related haha!
Looks like a great day! Babies are all so cute together! LOVE your blue pants!
Pack n Plays are for sure the greatest idea anyone has EVER had! Love that pic with you and all the other sweet mommies! How fun!!
Hi Julie,
This is not related to your above post- I wanted to let you know that your Pinterest workouts no longer link back to the actual post. They just link to your blog homepage. No biggie, but I’ve found myself wanting more info and having a hard time finding the post itself.
Hopefully that’s helpful!
Everyone over there has so much land! I’m in the wrong state. I’d love to live with a backyard like that. Over here in So-Cal we are cramming each other together in the tiniest compartments of square footage we can get. I love the house I grew up in, but all of your posts make me crave for change! I’m jus not sure I can get by on the cool weather.
What a cute little bunch of babies! Looks like a fun time was had by all. 🙂 I also loooooooooove those blankets you’re all sitting on. They look like they might be waterproof! I want to eat everything you guys had, yum! Thanks for the fun recap, as always! <3
Looks like such a fun weekend! And a salad and dessert are the perfect combo for group meals – a little sweet and a little healthy! 😉
I just discovered your blog because one of the Lake Norman pages on Facebook shared one of your pictures! I live in Huntersville- just moved here from NJ last year. I love reading blogs that are local – something in common I guess?! And we are devout ‘real food and healthy food eaters too. I love finding new recipes. thanks for the new ideas!! 🙂
I would love to know where you got the blanket that the babies are sitting on! I’ve been searching for something similar.
Thanks!
it’s the GO! XL beach blanket! 🙂 –> http://bit.ly/24kgIII