superbabies.

spent some time with layla & cole this weekend.
still babies. definitely super.

right now.

because i have a whole summer with the kids
and as much time with them as i like.
and they plucked my perennials from the garden
and put them in a kid cup. just for me.

because my niece and nephew
are here, in this world.
safe and sound. ready to be loved.
finally. (my L&D mind can take a breather!)

because i've discovered new things about me
that challenge me.
and make me happy.
and ready to be challenged.

so, right now is good.
and i'm grateful.

underwater.

whirlwind.

home for two weeks already and i'm still working on
finishing up our indian trails pictures.
it's been a whirlwind summer.
i wouldn't have it any other way.

i love these kids.
and their connections.
each one different in it's own way.
and yet, so the same.
kind of like ours.

p.s. i got a new storyboard-maker yesterday. loooove it.
and not having to match up my margins anymore.
i am preparing for a very important newborn shoot, after all.

little kids.

so proud that they finally gained some independence
and were able to climb the hill to the park all by themselves.
i couldn't resist the urge to sneak up on them to
see if they were behaving and take a few snaps.
now, if they could only shake the "little kids" title...

can't say we didn't see this coming.

i decided to exit the dock when i saw this through my viewfinder:
(yep. good choice.)





missy's first words were
"of course. it would have to be a binotto."

mama, don't let your babies grow up to be rappers.

this one should be pretty self-explanatory. if we had to hear
"there's no candy in me, there's no candy in me.
your mother thinks i'm a pinata, but there's no candy in me..."
one more time,
we were going to have to make
another pitcher of sangria.
thank you phineus & ferb.

p.s. i did not ask for these pictures. they did.

it's all good.

it's officially the start of the best weekend of every year.
the weatherman says saturday should be the most beautiful day of summer.
my niece will be here any day.
i found some sparkly light.
it's all good.

prep work photo op.

(luckily, i was smart enough to grab my camera on the way out the door.)
pictures not added to collage: the eating and spitting out of raw corn.
just because she had to try it, of course.

attack of the gogos.

new game pieces.
new rules.
same old request to have my queen.
these gogos go everywhere with us, so why not let them play?

random happy summer swinging.

this much i know is true.

grandma & papa went to canada and all i got was this stupid (brilliant!) tshirt.




court finished up her very first week of soccer camp.
her first organized sport.
her first time NOT sitting on the sidelines.
her first time with a coach.
(sidenote: she entered the field each day with a "hi, coach!"
yelled almost as she stepped out of the car,
and before it was actually her turn to play)
her first teammates. (vivi!)
her first tiny shin guards.







the coaches were amazingly patient and energetic.
they kept commenting how well these 3&4 year olds listened and cooperated.
until day four, when one of them yelled this:
"boys and girls! you need to pay attention!
boys and girls! you need to pay attention!
boys and girls! you need to pay attention!
boys and girls! you need to pay attention!"
one boy said "look there's an airplane!" and pointed to the sky.
and she said "boys and girls! look at the airplane!"
followed by "boys and girls, now let's pay attention!"






i'm grateful that carrie remembered to bring
her camera every day so i didn't have to miss
the one shot i thought for sure i would get
the first day or two.
the "it's too bright and too hot
and i'm too hungry
to play soccer anymore today" shot.
true to her nature, she hung out for
a little while but then got back on the field
and finished with her team.

"why are little kids so adorable?"

i've been loving all of the extra time with hayden home this summer.
i just feel like i don't get to see him enough during the school year.
he's been hanging out with me in my office lately,
saying sweet things like:
"i just don't get it. why are little kids so adorable??"

these are some of my favorite shots of ben, marci & brooklyn...