June 1 2010
So It Begins . . .
The beginning of a beautiful friendship: Kyle came home from seeing his friend with fantastic news. “I’ve found you a new friend!” Megan was apprehensive at first – after all, how many guys can pick out their girlfriend’s next best friend? But Megan would be proven to look like a silly girl when she and Emily hit it off like they’d known each other forever.November 28 2010
Monte + Emily
Monte and Emily get married! Kyle and Megan carpool to the wedding, are incredibly happy for their dear friends, and discover Quincy, IL.
May 28 2011
Kyle + Megan
Megan and Kyle get married! Monte and Emily celebrate the big day with their friends, resulting in the first of very few photographs together.
📸: 1
December 27 2011
The Happiest Place on Earth
As only crazy newlyweds without children would dare attempt, the four tackled a road trip to Disney World . . . for Christmas vacation. The parades, the crowds, the drive (oh the drive) – it was madness. But madness in the happiest place on earth, so they were all-in. This resulted in a second picture. Please hold your applause.
📸: 2
July 10 2012
The Big Move (part 1)
After visiting their friends and learning more about their church, Kyle and Megan decide to move to Quincy, IL. Since they don’t have a house yet, they plan to stay with Monte and Emily while they get settled. #nicestnewleywedsever
August 15 2012
The Slippery Slope
Megan moves immediately to begin a job, while Kyle stays in Oklahoma to wrap up the move. This results in 4 weeks of Megan and Emily spending nearly every moment together. They live together, work together, go to church together . . . quality time to the max. They discover they have a shared affinity for arts and crafts and begin dreaming of projects to do in their free time.
August 20 2012
The Barn Swallow
The first business venture is born! After not very much time at all, they create an entire brand concept. The Barn Swallow becomes a booth at the local Holiday Gift Show, and they spend the next several months creating, painting, and sewing. (Spoiler alert: They’ll decide sewing is not in the cards for them.)
July 5 2013
The Nest
The girls decide that barn wood signs will be their business’s bread and butter. (Keep in mind, this was before everyone-and-their-Hobby-Lobby were selling barn wood signs.) But, because the entrepreneur bug cannot be squashed, they develop The Nest – a branch of The Barn Swallow (see what I did there?) featuring children’s items.
September 11 2014
It’s a boy!
Emily and Monte welcome their first child – a super duper boy named Knox. He changes their lives forever and they fall madly in love with him.
April 8 2016
To new beginnings
After appearing in many shows and exhibitions, the girls decide to have The Barn Swallow take a backseat while they both focus on their families (and also their actual full-time jobs). While they spend less and less time working on orders for The Barn Swallow, they find themselves dreaming of new ideas . . .
📸: 3
July 11 2016
Maple!
Monte and Emily welcome their second baby – Maple Rose! Little does she know, a new friend will be arriving soon . . .
October 13 2016
Poppy!
Kyle and Megan welcome their first sweet baby, Penelope Tate. They lovingly call her Poppy, and fall madly in love with the crazy existence called parenthood.
May 15 2017
Moms on Maine
Emily and Megan begin a daily tradition that will continue for the next couple of years – loading their littles in the car, driving to the local coffee shop, breaking out the strollers, and enjoying Maine Street. This results in many ridiculous stories and of course, more dreams of potential businesses. Also, endless adorable memories.
October 8 2018
The Big Move (part 2)
After lots of praying (and ugly crying) Kyle and Megan make the move back to Oklahoma. They’re really happy and feel like it’s the right decision, but Emily and Megan miss each other terribly, and still find themselves dreaming of business ventures.
January 1 2019
Maples & Poppies
The girls decide to begin their first blog! They had always shared a love of children’s books, and they’re elated to share what they love with the people around them. Distance, schmistance. Nothing will hinder their drive to have a creative partnership!
February 8 2019
Welcome!
We couldn’t be more excited to share this project with you. We’re passionate about our children and the books that they read. This project is a labor of love, and we hope you love it too!
📸: 4
(Yes, this picture is 3 years old. But it brings our grand total to 4, so we’re rolling with it.)
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