sweet august...

I love August. It is most definitely one of my favorite months of the year. I love the cool breezes, warm ocean and that faint smell of fall in the air. Our August has been beautiful, but not more so than the past few days. Maybe it is because we are all clinging a little tighter to our together time as we are all aware that it ends as soon as that big, yellow bus pulls up the street. I will miss the unproductive days, the late breakfasts, lunch by the pool, the smell of their sunscreen, their tan lines, their sun bleached hair and sun-kissed faces. I will miss the flip-flops, the sundresses and the bathing suits. The silly car games, the jokes, the summer songs they love. I will miss THEM as they load their backpacks and get on the bus. Longer days ahead filled with school, homework, activities and all the routines in-between.  There are still a few days of August left, so for now we will be rushing to fit in that last bit of sun, ice cream, freedom and time together.

summer almost over

We are so sad summer is coming to a close in less than two weeks. Now we are in a mad rush to squeeze in every last bit of summer we can!

Swim Team

Because my boys are two years apart, there aren't any teams they can participate on together. This summer they finally play on the same team, swim team. Both boys are doing awesome and loving it. 

the eyes have it

When it comes to photographing eyes, these chocolate brown ones are my favorite. My other two children have beautiful eyes; my oldest has beautiful blue and my youngest has stunning green. But still, these are they eyes I live to photograph. The catchlights are always amazing on him. His dark eyelashes provide such a beautiful frame for those peepers. Beyond the camera, those eyes get me all the time. Not sure if it's the rich warmth in them or the glint of mischievious charm. As I see it, these eyes have it. 

Photo Op

The series of pictures I took for this photo op did not pan out as I expected. For weeks I had visions in my head of how I wanted these pictures to come out. The idea in my head did not translate well, so we improvised with other angles and lighting. I was pleasantly suprised with this shot, especially after cropping in. Just goes to show, we should always just keep experimenting with angles. 

Had I stopped at what I thought would be a good shot, I would not have gotten this shot. 

Miss You

"In some motel room there'll be a radio playing,

And you'll hear me sing this song.

Well, if you do you'll know I'm thinking of you and all the miles in between.

And I'm just calling one last time, not to change your mind,

but to say I miss you..." -Bruce Springsteen

For me, the best and worst part of summer all occur all in one week. The best part is when my brother and sister-in-law arrive from Florida for their week-long stay. The worst part is when they leave.

My brother and I have not lived in the same state for nearly 18 years, but saying goodbye never gets easier. The week usually flies by and I am no more prepared for it to end than I was the last time. I will look forward to the next visit, but for now I am just writing to say, I miss you....

Summer Days...

Too busy enjoying the summer to update the blog lately! Will try to post soon!