geography lesson

what a great way to spend an evening!  this couple's laughter was infectious...they have so much fun together.  i couldn't quite get over how cute they were and when i first got a glimpse of the pictures, it was confirmed.  super cute.  and not only did i have a great time, i learned something new - where mauritius is! that's where fred is from and after googling it, i think i'm going to be asking for some hotel recommendations because it seriously looks like one of the most beautiful places on earth.

special thanks to stacey malleck for the "fresh fruit" inspiration...

10 reasons i know summer is (nearly) here

10. strange berries appear in the underbrush behind our house

9. bubbles make their grand entrance

8. mysterious paths reveal themselves leading to "monster caves" (their words, not mine)

7. more time to learn fire starting techniques

6. sidewalk chalk comes out of the cupboard

5. rain stays away long enough for chalk messages to have their intended effect

4. delphinium buds emerge

3. kids don warm weather slip-ons (still with socks, mind you)

2. construction season begins

1. grass needs watering

my baby

 this is simon.

he's my baby (last baby, lord willing). he is unlike my other babies in that he doesn't love sleep(and has been granted many more nights next to mama in the king bed) or solid food, he does love to cuddle and though i can't claim his eyes are a true blue, they are certainly the closest thing to mine out of the three and for that, i am grateful. he has also been surprisingly "under photographed" compared to his siblings in his first six months. so i figured he could use a little tribute here. he has captured my heart and i'm pretty sure he'll capture yours. given a little more time before the lens.

 and a final installment for the dutch relatives...if that doesn't win you over, nothing will.

the stuff dreams are made of.

little miss mariah.  she's three months and sleeps 13 hours a night.  and she's cute to boot.  oh and did i mention she sleeps through the night?  prang baby: take notice.

little lady.

meet miss london.

she was sad.

so she went for a walk with daddy

...and met baby...

...and taught great grandma about her facial features.

(great grandma taught her a few things too)

then she was happy.

so she had a drink with the boys.

a fresh start

look closely...you may catch a few shocked expressions (likely the result of a comment about the bride's physique), hysterical laughter (likely the result of the occasional butt grab) and the groom's black eye (definitely the result of a pre-wedding wrestle with his adult son) and it will give you a glimpse into the absolute riot this wedding was.  what you don't have to look very closely for is the love they clearly share, not only for one another, but for their family, friends and the God they serve.  what a sweet day and what a blessed marriage!

i could do a whole post on this little girl alone...in fact, i think i will.