norah turns one.

on saturday, we had a little celebration for the birthday girl.

this little girl is so precious to us.

love.

(a special thanks to misi photo for capturing our sweet girl's special day!)

scenes from the (beach) weekend.

this weekend, we went to the beach.

the view from our balcony. it was gorgeous.

i'm sure for most of you, this doesn't sound like it deserves such a dramatic introduction. but oh, for us it does. this is the first real vacation we have ever taken as a family. and i don't mean as a family of four, i mean even as a family of three. sure, we've travelled some, mostly to see family out of state. but we have rarely gone to do fun things together, let alone take a whole, long weekend, to just enjoy each other. it's not that we didn't feel like it was important--it's just that the past few years have left us wanting for the time, resources, or energy to do it.

but finally, there we were. and while it wasn't the most relaxing beach vacation ever (such is life with a three year old and six month old), it was still a good time together and it was so refreshing to be away from everything, even if it was just for a little while.

we so needed it.

coen's first time seeing the ocean. he was so excited!

little miss just wanted to get into all the things.

she loved it.

spotted these two studs from our balcony.

she decided she needed some coffee, too.

definitely my child.

i swear he's happy. :)

best daddy ever.

headed down to the beach!

mommy even got some time alone. it was bliss.

my little lady. <3 

yes & amen.

now that we've experienced something of summer, i'm ready for fall (read: all the things pumpkin). but really, if i'm honest, i'm ready to go back. for just a little longer.

love.

scenes from the week (or two).

life has continued to be full.

full of busy schedules, fevers and flus, family visits and, well, diapers. so many diapers.

and now, the weather is gorgeous (and yellow, ew pollen) and in the 80s. apparently we skipped spring. regardless, we are loving the warm weather.

hope you have a happy weekend!

love.

a little bit of lately.

not too much has gone on except for adjusting and recovering, but here's a bit of our life over the past two weeks.

somebody's in love.

she loves her daddy.

first outing with mommy & daddy: doctor & target.

boy errands.

painting with aunt lydia.

she's spoiled already.

this. face.

norah is doing so well, and is such a sweet addition to our little family. while it's had it's challenges, this has been a sweet season of learning how to live as a family of four.

and my heart is overflowing.
love.