indian summer

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babies-at-longwood

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Well folks…I would say we’re having an indian summer, wouldn’t you?! These freakish 80+ degree temperatures in October have me a bit sad, I’ll be honest. We decided to cheer ourselves up with some sunshine and splashing around at Longwood Gardens. The kids couldn’t have been happier-we arrived early in the morning to avoid the crowds (and get home in time for naps), and let them roam free. Mommy was giddy to have an excuse for a photo shoot with the linen white dress Marie hadn’t worn yet (yay)! Fashion rules don’t apply to children, haven’t you heard?! We made our way through the kid-friendly areas…secret gardens, fountains, pumpkin patches, ending with an extra special Thomas the Train sighting! We left wet + tired, but with smiles and a sense of accomplishment…a great way to spend a Sunday.

marie + billy

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Watching the friendship form between Billy and the kids is very special. Marie is especially smitten, and very gently reaches for him and touches him. Billy is so patient-there have only been a few moments of hair pulling luckily, as she started learning the word “gentle” from a very early age! Whenever she sees him she smiles and laughs, and has started saying “ba, ba” trying to verbally work out his name. They know him as Billy and brother…we really only use the word dog for other animals, but I suspect they may end up calling all dogs Billy (which would be adorable). She now will lean in to kiss him, or lay her head on his back-it melts me. Did you have a special relationship with an animal as a child?

a beautiful mess feature

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Our home (and babies) are featured on the A Beautiful Mess-At Home With series! Considering that ABM is one of my favorite reads, I’m thrilled! I spent a day shooting with the kids, but also used some of Courtney Apple’s beautiful shots that she took of our home last year. I love that it’s filled with babies now! Anyway, hello + welcome if you’re here visiting from Elsie and Emma’s blog, I do hope you will stay a moment. Leave a note so I can get to know you as well, MERCI!

beach babies

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I’m admittedly a lake girl at heart and mostly hide from the sun-a successful beach trip for me means coming back as pale as I left. However, we really wanted to give the babies their first sand + surf experience, so we drove a few hours to the lovely beach town of Avalon, NJ, after my friend Terry graciously invited us to join her family. I found myself reminiscing about happy days spent on the jersey shore as a child…the beautiful breeze, the tall grass, the family fun.  For the kids, apprehension turned into wonder. While Henry preferred to spend his time playing in the sand, Marie charged boldly into the water. She is pretty fearless, that girl. We were only on the beach for an hour, but we were all exhausted. It was definitely a challenge (and we’re still finding sand everywhere), but it was well worth it. Farewell summer!

(for the record…they did have hats on but they hated them + it was too windy…mom guilt for ya)

it must be monday

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My macbook pro crashed for the first time ever yesterday, and the birthday video I had been painstakingly editing all weekend to share with you was lost. I’m sure you can understand my frustration–if not, look at their faces. That pretty much sums it up. That shot was taken during the last moments of the obligatory first birthday cake smash-they were past nap time and over the cake thing-it cracks me up (and we are still finding bits of cake weeks later). My apologies for not having something more inspiring for you today, but chances are you might relate. Poor Monday…it gets such a bad rap.