May always seems to fly by in a blur, and this year was no exception! It’s one of our busiest months as we start wrapping up the school year — a whirlwind of award assemblies, special celebrations, and a few unexpected surprises. We enjoyed watching our kiddos smile huge for their end-of-year awards, and we were treated to the sweetest surprise — a visit from my cousin Pascal all the way from France! It was such a gift to spend time together and share a little slice of our everyday life with him.
Here’s a peek into our May…
Quinn's up first in all her glory :)
Beckham boy next.
Finishing up with Jack who received an award in each subject plus an award of excellence.
Jack seriously had a month to remember! He was honored as Student of the Month for the entire 5th grade class! A huge accomplishment and such a testament to his hard work, positive attitude, and all-around awesomeness. This kid was absolutely on fire in May, and we couldn’t be prouder of the example he’s setting for his classmates and his younger siblings.
Now it’s Beckham’s turn to shine! This birthday boy hit the big 1-0 this year...double digits! I can hardly believe we have another kiddo in the double-digit club. Beckham is our football-loving, quick-witted, fun-seeking, avid reader who’s always up for a good laugh (or a good Fortnite match). He’s smart, funny, and full of personality, with a heart as big as his smile. We are so incredibly grateful for the sunshine and joy he brings into our lives every single day.
Here’s a peek at how we celebrated our Beckham boy turning 10!
Breakfast eggs and donuts.
Off to school, but not without a quick pic with decorations and new penguin "Luck" from Quinn.
Beckham’s birthday party was a perfect “just us” celebration with the five of us. Since Beckham loves bowling, he requested a night at the alley, and he got exactly what he wanted. We bowled game after game, indulged in classic alley food (hello, fried everything!), and kept the soda flowing with nonstop refills. Laughter, a little friendly competition, lots of high-fives, and a dance for every strike or spare made it a night to remember for our birthday boy.
We wrapped up the month with such a special treat — a visit from my cousin Pascal! He was in Utah spending time with family, and on a whim, I reached out to see if he might want to swing by California before heading out. Lucky for us, the timing worked out perfectly. As it turns out, Pascal is quite the globe-trotter! By the time he made it to our doorstep, he had already racked up eight or nine stops on his trip, exploring places like Boston, Florida, Dallas, Salt Lake City, and even Toronto. It was so fun to swap travel stories, share a few laughs, and give him a taste of our little corner of the world before he jetted off again.
First stop to show Pascal was San Francisco.
Preston and I pulled the kids from school for a day so they could join us. We wanted to do a few things we haven't done in the city yet. First was the hike at Twin Peaks. Such incredible views.
After our hike, Pascal treated us to his favorite cuisine, Chinese food, and it did not disappoint. With happy hearts and full bellies, we made our way to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. From there, we wandered along the beach, tossing rocks into the waves, hunting for seashells, and watching boats sail across the water. It was one of those simple, golden afternoons that felt like the perfect blend of adventure and calm.
We of course had to make a quick stop at Ghiradelli for a tasty treat.
We saw this cool door on our walk to a park. Harry Potter for a win!
Everyone enjoyed our SF day. Taking people who come to visit us and this amazing city is always a treat. We love watching as they explore and take in a place we have all come to love so much. The food, the views, the culture, ocean, iconic bridge, and the crazy steep roads. It never gets old.
One evening, I took a little break from all the fun with Pascal to celebrate another special moment, Beckham’s football award! He and I headed to the end-of-year team party, where the night was filled with pizza, chicken, and more delicious food than we could count. While the boys laughed and played, the parents caught up and swapped stories. When it came time for awards, Beckham’s coaches had the kindest words — praising his skill on the field, his great sportsmanship, and his incredible knowledge of the game. We couldn’t be prouder of him. If Beckham decides to chase a future in football, I have no doubt he could make it happen.
One more family adventure with Pascal for the books! We wanted to take him somewhere truly unforgettable, a place we were sure he’d never experienced, even with his incredible travel resume. (This man has been to over 80 countries!) The thought of having one surprise destination up our sleeve made us giddy. Our big reveal? Calaveras Big Trees State Park in Arnold, California. Towering sequoias stretched high above us, their massive trunks making us feel small in the best way. We wandered among giants, marveled at their age and beauty, and soaked in the quiet wonder of a place unlike anywhere else in the world. Something that even our wanderer has never seen :)
The boys chatting and playing music along the way while the kiddos watched a movie in the back.
A quick stop at Pascal's favorite sandwich place before picnicking at the park ;)
Welcome to Big Trees!
Creeping through a fallen down tree :)
Beckham could stand up in it.
The cute trio.
Beckham boy took a few breaks a long the hike to rest his feet. Love this kiddo.
Jack our explorer.
One more pit stop ;)
This cute guy waiting for the troops to catch up :)
Family Photo opp
I think it is safe to say that our trip to Big Trees was a massive success. We had such a fun day there. Once we were home we fed the kids dinner and treated Pascal to some tasty Mexican in town. It was a perfect way to end his trip with us.
This guy fell in love with my chocolate chip cookies. We made a couple batches while he was here. I caught him relaxed, comfy, and eating a couple as a treat. Perfect way to say good bye to Pascal.
Goodbyes all around.
One last hug at the airport, then Pres and I stopped to grab Subway for lunch on behalf of Pascal's love for it, haha. It was delicious!
Pascal stayed with us for just under a week, and those days were the perfect finale to an already unforgettable month. We shared deep, meaningful conversations, stayed up late exploring his travel photos from around the globe, and wandered our own little corner of California with our fun Frenchman in tow. From birthday celebrations and school achievements to surprise visits and grand adventures, May was brimming with moments that filled our hearts. It’s the kind of month that reminds me how grateful I am for family, friendship, and the joy that comes from simply being together.
