Short but sweet--a visit from our friends

The highlight of our April was the visit we got from our long-lost friends. Sarah and Cal Simmons had moved to Maine last year to follow an Emergency Medicine Residency program, taking with them my first little girl love, Ellie. We were heartbroken that our neighbors, friends, and late-night game players were gone. We skyped and called and texted, but it wasn't the same.

One of their med school buddies was getting married in Charlottesville, so when we heard they were coming into town, we immediately offered to have them stay with us for the weekend. So glad we did! It was amazing to see them again!

While they were gone this past year, they added a new little girl to the mix: Penny. Lily wasn't too sure what to make of a new baby in the house.

Ellie had gotten so big! She was talking up a storm and fell right back in with the boys. They were buddies again in about 5 minutes.

I think Lily liked the idea of another girl. Ice cream, anyone?

The Simmons had wedding events Friday, Saturday AND Sunday, but we still managed to play between them. Saturday was cold and rainy, but before the wedding we trekked down to our park anyway to show them around.

We have a great little creek that runs behind the park in the woods and while we were showing it off, the boys decided they wanted to get in. Lily, not one to be left behind, had to join in the action and ended up accidentally falling all the way in. Poor girl was rescued by George and spent the rest of the time at the park like this:

Sarah and Penny

Cal was nice to help Cole on the monkey bars.

Love that little bum peeking out...

No worries, Jude is just fine. He's pretending to fall off.

Sweet Ellie

Penny! This baby is so easy-going.

It wouldn't be a visit with the Simmons without some game playing! After putting Lily down for a nap when we got home, we broke out Ticket to Ride and had a ruthless battle.

Wedding Saturday afternoon/evening then a brunch on Sunday with the wedding guests. It was almost time for the Simmons to pack up and head home, but before they left Sunday evening we had a BBQ at the Elmers.

These little girls had a good time playing together. Or really Lily had a good time following Ellie around.

Finally another girl to play with!

Boys...

S'mores. They're serious business.

It felt like they had never left. 

Lily enjoying a s'more for the first time.

And of course Cole had to do it all himself. No help.

Some of our most favorite people ever.

And this little miss, my first girl love. Can you believe she still remembered me after a year? I really, really miss this sweet little girl.

The Simmons are the kind of friends that stay with you through your life, even if we only get to see each other every once in a while. They're the precious kind that feel more like family than anything else, the kind that no matter how long you've been apart, when you meet again it feels like you were never apart.

Hurry back, friends! We miss you already.