fall break at the beach

my parents got the family together for a family reunion in Newport Beach.  it was kind of like this:

saying goodbye to summer!

this photo belongs in the series "eating with dad."

 we said goodbye to summer swimming, with a swim and a scrumptious dinner.  

goodbye summer...see ya real soon!

2 months!

we are trying to do a month by month photos study with Zoe, a "watch me grow" type of series.  the only problem is she has a very bad attitude about the whole thing, which in turn gives me a little bad attitude as well.  so, i have to act fast to get the shot as soon as she wakes up...

 ...because it doesn't take too long until we get this going on:

poor thing is not a happy camper.

dove season!

it's that time of year again!  Colin didn't get the 5 am wake up call, but he did get to go on the post hunt treat run.  i don't think he minds.  

Anna and Madeline's first day of school - 2nd and 1st grade respectively

these two.

i can't believe how big these girls are getting!  first and second grade!  we were so happy to know Madeline would have Mrs. Casey this year! She was such a wonderful teacher last year for Anna, and it was so comforting for Maddie to know she would have the same teacher.  Here's to a wonderful school year!

a quick trip to California

we were able to head out to California for a quick weekend just before the kids started school.  it was fast and furious, but this is my favorite memory of the trip.  

a baptism and a blessing - Anna and Zoe

this was one of the most amazing weekends for our family.  it started by welcoming our family into town with a fun family bbq and swim party.  our sweet Anna was baptized by her dad on Saturday.

 these cousins clearly had a a fun friday night, they had to be carried out of the church.  

 of course there was more partying with our friends and cousins. 

 this sweet little baby is either sleeping, or screaming.  i love to catch her while she's sleeping.  

 Sunday was a beautiful day, the blessing of our sweet youngest child. 

these bookends are just an adorable pair.  so lovely to have them both in their sweet white gowns.