and Peter makes six!

My sister-in-law Rachel asked me months ago if she could fly me out to Kansas to photograph her family, and more specifically their newest addition, Peter. I believe my response was, "yes, please!" Adam's brother Abel and his family moved to Kansas over 4 years ago and we hadn't made it out there yet so this was the perfect opportunity. It was so fun to see their life there and experience day to day living with them. Rachel made yummy food, we chatted, games were played, kids were smooched on, etc. We had a great time and I was able to capture some sweet moments of their family. A whole post dedicated to baby Peter is coming, but for now, here's the whole fam! Thanks for having us out Kansas Winns, it was a t.r.e.a.t.! xo

we're not in Kansas any more

Had a great time in Kansas/Missouri, we're home, we're tired. More.pics.coming. xo

i'm hanging out with these guys

lucky me.

its spring break baby

Ah...spring break. Since I'm married to a professor spring break is always such a welcomed week. Its so nice to have this little stretch of reprieve from daily life. Adam and I head to Kansas/Missouri tomorrow morning and we're super excited...the other day we were trying to figure out the last time just the 2 of us flew somewhere and left the ninner behind? Its been a long time. But truth be told I really don't like leaving B, I always get excited for a little break but then miss her terribly 30 seconds later. Sigh...the life of a mother I guess. Anyhoo, the ol' blog will be a little quiet for the next week, try not to miss me too much. :) I promise to come back with lots of pictures to share.

I love this photo, some of my favorites don't always make it onto the ol' blog, here's an example...

17 minutes from door to drive in

Friends of mine on facebook already know that I'm obsessed with Sonic. I L.O.V.E. their limeades and will drive from Oregon City to Wilsonville (10 miles) just to get one at any given moment. The other day I asked B if she wanted to come with me and she happily obliged. What is extra great is that between 2-4pm its happy hour so all drinks are half off -score! So, B and I sat in the drive thru drinking our yummy drinks and just hanging out. B thought it was pretty cool to sit in the front seat and hang her body out the window. I hope there never comes a day when the two of us going to Sonic isn't special and fun. xo















*Thanks to everyone for your concern for B, the test wasn't as bad as we were anticipating but unfortunately there is some reflux so she will need further treatment. Her situation seems fairly mild and hopefully won't need much intervention in the future. Appreciate continued prayers for my girl. xo

today is gonna be a rough one

I've been dreading this day ever since I heard about "it." My poor little girl has been having re-occurring urinary tract infections and they just won't go away! (well, for more than a month anyway). So, since there is concern that urine could be making its way up to her kidneys she has to go into the hospital today for an invasive test to see if her kidneys are okay. Sigh. I have a friend who's daughter has gone thru this...several times in fact and she told me that it is indeed awful. I also was talking to B's doctor about it and she said "you should be scared, it really is awful. I wish medical science had a better way of figuring this stuff out but at this time we don't, and its a bad thing to go thru." AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. As a mother this clearly kills me. I realize I shouldn't complain, there are parents out there with really sick kids who go thru much worse than this every.single.day. but still, she's my baby, my only baby and its heart breaking. I would take her place if I could, and happily if it would spare her this yuckiness. So, for all of you reading this, if you believe in God or not, I'm asking that you say a little pray for my girl today, that it would go smoothly, that she wouldn't be too afraid, and that it would be fast and relatively painless, and that there would in fact be no kidney damage. From a nervous mom, I thank you from the very bottom of my heart. xo

oh, how the mighty have fallen!

The other day I was talking to Kelly and I said "I'm sitting here looking at a half eaten marshmallow that Brennan left on my coffee table and its stuck to it." Her response "Oh, how the mighty have fallen!" To which I reply "what's that supposed to mean?!" She goes on to explain how its just funny that someone who loves their furniture to the extent that I do would allow for such a thing. (Its true, if we ever have a fire I'll likely be yelling for B to help carry my dining room table out!) She's right...what can I say, life with a 3 year old I guess. (really, I'm more interested in the fact that she didn't finish the marshmallow since she loves them, but moreover, how nasty is it that there is a HAIR entwined it in?!) I know, its gross. Rest assured I got out my chisel and took care of it... stat.

Since its St.Patrick's Day and all....

...I figured this would be the perfect opportunity to mention some things I miss about my Irish life. In no particular order.... (and for those that are just recently tuning in, my family spent last year living in Limerick, Ireland)

*having tea all the time, Barry's tea to be exact
*walking everywhere for everything I needed
*Monday movie nights with Tom N.
*Hearing Tom Brodie say "good morning Brennan!" with his fantastic, cheerful, Irish accent each time we walked into the Dominican Biblical Institute to enjoy tea or just to visit
*Having Grace and Gloria over for a long afternoon of chatting in my tiny apartment
*When Adam and John got off work and walked over to the apartment to join Grace and I and we all ate dinner together (often Papa John's Pizza)
*Nutella (need I say more?)
*Walking to Dunnes to get a cheap pair of shoes for no other reason than just wanting to
*walking to McDonalds with Brennan to sit and get some fries and think of home
*walking to the park with B and watching her pick up daffodils laying on the ground and being perfectly content
*hearing cartoons with a British accent (esp. Peppa Pig)
*hearing "thanks a million" about 15 times a day, or "that's grand!"
*Irish scones from the local corner mart right behind my apartment
*My friend Alissa and her sweet daughters, Aedammair and Saiorse
*Peig telling me how gorgeous Brennan is (on a daily basis), and "gorgeous" was always the word she used
*exploring Ireland on the weekends and getting away from Limerick for a bit
*the feeling of landing in the Shannon airport and feeling like I was home after traveling to other parts of Europe
*Seeing Brenden's smiling and gentle face and hearing him say "hello Molly and Brennan! You are most welcome!" in his sweet Irish voice

I could go on and on, but I'll end with I miss being in Ireland ON St. Patrick's Day and celebrating such a special day with such special people. So thankful I had the opportunity to call Ireland my home for a year, what a treat. xo

Our friends sent this box of tea over from Ireland, so awesome.

Giveaway Winner!

It was so fun to meet my giveaway winner in downtown Portland on a lovely Sunday afternoon. I really enjoyed the whole giveaway process and will definitely be doing it again, so keep checking in for another opportunity to win a free session! Lovely meeting you, Marti, Seth, Piper, and Elise! xo




























P.S. Thank you for the cake pops, they were delicious!

hearts are out, Easter corns are in

I'm happy about the change. :)

just a lazy afternoon playing with daddy

I peeked in B's room and saw her playing with her daddy and looking so cute so I ran and grabbed my camera and joined in the fun. Disclaimer #1: no, I don't really condone a 3 year old having a t.v. in her room but, it only plays movies and sometimes when I need my HGTV fix and she has to watch a princess movie, its my saving grace. Disclaimer #2:Yes, my 3 year old still sleeps in her crib. I ask her all the time if she wants a big girl bed and she says no, so, until the answer changes, there she sleeps. Disclaimer #3 I know, B's room is a trainwreck. I really have nothing to say to redeem myself...but I will say it doesn't look like this all the time. :) Disclaimer session over, onto the pics!