puddles

i love em!

they're good for more than just splashing in...

i also love  instagram for the iphone

emmy and jude

fraser enjoys puddles too!

how weird would it be if i rotated this one?

looks like today should be puddle free, and that's nice too!

the fam

a quick pic of those i love the most:

sometimes you need to get creative for the family shot...

two views

captured by jude

always fun to take pics of the birch family.  they make it easy!

unknown to me at the time, this was my first shoot with jude.  

he was clicking away, love that!

fun to be able to share two points of view.

i think we make a good team!

rainbow eggs in jersey

it's hard not to love the easter egg hunt.

christine and i, we have fun making them happen...

this year's took place in new jersey.

it is beautiful there this time of year, everything is blooming!

we had planned to do the hunt on saturday.

the cousins were anxious for the fun and treats, but it was a rainy day.

we obliged and set up the hunt inside

(but we kept more eggs aside with hopes of a nicer day on sunday).

captured by christine

as you can see, we got our wish.

  it was a beautiful day and perfect location!

i'm hoping we'll be able to do easter every year with the cousins in jersey.

four

it's true, selah is four now.

my little lima bean is growing up,

and she prefers a new nickname now:

selah is energetic, cuddly, determined, fun, thoughtful, generous,

independent, imaginative, confident, enthusiastic & animated.

as we all know - she loves dinosaurs.  

i thought about dressing her up in a dress for her 4 year photos,

but this seemed much more appropriate.

while we were hiking in the woods, i asked her to act like a dinosaur.

she didn't want to because she was worried she would scare someone.

  i think the world is and will be a better place because of you.

love you bean.


if you have a fun memory of selah, it would be great if you would share it in the comments.

auntie beth

there's this lady i know.  

i call her auntie beth...

i met her when i was 16, she was my leader at camp.

i looked up to her in so many ways then...and i still do.

the amazing thing is that now we're family!

we married brothers!

she's the auntie of my little girls.  we all love her!

auntie beth made these cupcakes:

 she made them for these munchkins:

they loved them!

thanks auntie beth!  you are amazing!

olaaaah...

mexico - for me, the land of rest and refreshing.  

smiles and drawn out ola's.

beautiful and delicious food.

time with the man i love. 

jude and i had the pleasure of celebrating 10 years of marriage by taking a trip to the mayan riviera.

it was amazing!

so nice to spend time with my husband.

no distractions.

nothing that has to be done.

just a few simple decisions to make each day: 

sun or shade, 

beach or pool,

sunglasses or hat,

margarita or mojito, 

rest or read...

you get the idea!

judah - i love you.  "it is a pleasure"

we were perfect for each other when we got married and now we've grown up a bit and changed over the years and i think we're still perfect for each other.  thank you for always loving me - 

i look forward to the 50 or so years ahead (hopefully they involve a few more trips like this one!).

so nice to be asked (more than once) if we were on our honeymoon!

dance

both girls started dance when they were two.  

selah does jazz and ballet, and emery does ballet and tap.

they have their classes at the community centre (close and affordable). 

their teacher is fantastic!  we love danielle!  she's so fun and patient...

i did not take dance as a little girl.  gymnastics, but not dance.  

i don't think i even wanted to when i was young, but now i wish i had.  

though it has crossed my mind since my girls have taken it up - i'm not brave enough to join in yet

(yes they even have classes for mommy's at the community centre).

what i love about these recitals is seeing my girls on stage, full of joy, confidence and focus!

i love that they are willing and comfortable being in front of so many people!

it amazes me. 

i just love this one!

it was dino-mite!

some pics from the party yesterday.

 we had fun!

 more pics on facebook...

thank you catherine for taking these!  love 'em!