Olive Grace Is Fantastic Five!

My beautiful sister and her OG, this girl made my sister a Mama and I'm so glad she did. Happiest of Birthdays, Olive! We love you! xoxo

This is TWELVE!

12 came too fast! Happiest of Birthdays, Jillian Jiggs.

I am your parent you are my child
I am your quiet place, you are my wild
I am your calm face, you are my giggle
I am your wait, you are my wiggle
I am your audience, you are my clown
I am your London Bridge, you are my falling down
I am your carrot sticks, you are my licorice
I am your dandelion, you are my first wish
I am your water wings, you are my deep
I am your open arms, you are my running leap
I am your way home, you are my new path
I am your dry towel, you are my wet bath
I am your dinner, you are my chocolate cake
I am your bedtime, you are my wide awake
I am your finish line, you are my race
I am your praying hands, you are my saving grace
I am your favorite book, you are my new lines
I am your nightlight, you are my sunshine
I am your lullaby, you are my peek-a-boo
I am your kiss goodnight, you are my I love you

 Author: Maryann K Cusimano

Every night, my reader and I read this book
before "snuggle down" time. 

She made me a Mama and every year on her birthday
I am SO grateful that she did. xoxo

With LOVE…

They are the HEARTS on our sleeves and the LOVES of our life.
Happy Valentine's Day!

xoxo

It's been tooooooooooo long.

Over the past 6 months we have just been busy. Like everyone else, September through December swallows me whole. Between Holidays, school routines, Christmas card shoots, and life in general I get a little behind. So, in ANDREA fashion, "Let's get this done!" Here are the highlights.

  

Indian Summer.

Cousin Love in Matching Dresses.

Tiny Photog. OG.

Thanksgiving Day Shoot.

Wine Tasting and Tradition. Every year we take our picture in front of this door at DeLoach Winery. Every year, Carlson goes along with every picture idea I have.  He's a good sport 99% of the time. This year, we did our family shoot the day before and he was done. Needless to say, this is what I got and honestly, they make me smile. I can hear myself laughing and saying "Carlson!"

The Mall Santa Picture. Obviously, I don't make my kids dress up for this anymore, but I still make them do it. It's more like;-let's go to HOT DOG ON A STICK and then you can take a 5-minute picture with Santa. I have every single one on these gems in a book and I love looking at it every year. 

The making of our family Christmas book. Tradition.

Family.

Christmas Eve should always start with a limo ride. Right?

Christmas Morning.

Holding on to this image of my Jilly. I am not sure how much longer she will love American Girl but, I hope it's a little longer.

Jackson's gift to Okie. Two leopard mirrors to check her poofy-ness.

I love that my kids love to read. Just like their Mama.

Carlsons sentimental gift. His Dad's guitar, which is currently being refurbished and tuned up.

This girl and her Bitty Babies.

Only for today.

Tradition. Christmas morning breakfast with Nana and Papa.

Balboa Day.

American Girl Cafe.

Universal Studios. First Timers.

 These two.

Reflections winner! Jo placed second place in a district wide event for photography. Proud Mama, of course!

And now, I am caught up. xo