The Family

At the beginning of every year, the girls' preschool asks for a photo of the family. I take a LOT of pictures, but every year I have to search and search and, often times, the only photo I can find of all of us is months old.

This year, I was determined to be prepared. I asked Danielle to come over on a Saturday to take some shots of all of us. I am rather impatient when it comes to taking pictures.....wondering with each click of the camera if we have the "perfect" shot yet.

This time was no different. I was restless, dragging the kids from front yard to back yard to side yard. Begging for smiles, hoping that everyone would cooperate.

It was not nearly as painful as I imagined it would be, thanks in large part to Danielle and the magic that girl can work behind the lens!

Blowing By

This summer is blowing by.

The girls are in camp this week -- well, two out of three are. Ellery has theater camp at the Alliance. She has a production on Friday....so looking forward to that. I will take lots of pictures and I promise I will share them!

Hope you are enjoying your summer and staying cool.

A Southampton Recap

June in Southampton pretty much rocked. The weather was amazing. The kids were entertained every second of every day.

We spent almost every day in the pool or at the beach. We had cousins come visit and friends come play.

Vaughan perfected her "tennis."

While Ellery and Stephen worked on their baseball.

We visited the farm to see the baby pics.

But I couldn't get a shot of them because they were hiding in their pig house.

We are so looking forward to another trip up in a few weeks!

Freckles

As a child, my nose was covered with freckles. I am not sure when they disappeared or where they went?

This summer, freckles have appeared on someone else's cheeks. Can you see them?

Aren't they precious? Just one more reason for this sweet thing to obsess over Pippy Longstocking!

Anniversary Dinner

I am way behind on all that I have wanted to post about. Summer has taken over and any spare second I have with the kids, we are outside playing in the yard or at the pool.

Alan and I celebrated our 9th anniversary last month. Since we were getting ready to leave for a wedding without the kids, we decided to celebrate our anniversary with the kids. It was so much fun that I think this might be our new tradition.

We planned a "fancy" dinner, wore dresses, set the table and Alan even escorted the girls to the table. The girls asked all day if it was time for the "party."

These are the hydrangeas we cut from the yard.

Alan came home with a bouquet of flowers for everyone.

Do you have a special way that you celebrate your anniversary? With or without kids?

A Story in Photos

One Year Ago Today

One year ago today, I met you for the very first time. I was anxiously laying on the table in that cold, bright operating room. I was anxious. I was excited.

I was surprised. I was so surprised when Daddy announced that you were a girl. Immediately, I asked what you looked like - lifting my head and straining to see something, anything. Daddy said, "she looks like Vaughan."

Today people still ask - who does she look like. Today I think you look like Latham.

You are the sweetest baby. Always up for a cuddle. You like to nuzzle your sweet, soft head right in the crook of my neck. I love that. While you nuzzle I can breathe in your soft hair. I cherish every second with you. How many seconds have passed this past year?

Tonight I sit here trying to recall everything that happened a year ago. Were you born at 8:32? Does that sound right? Did Gagi spend the night here the night before we went to the hospital? Some of the details are fading. I try to walk through the entire day moment by moment. What I do recall, without any difficulty, is all of the joy you have brought to our lives this past year. Every day is better, every day is brighter. Happy birthday sweet Latham Rose!