camp at sunset

The stillness and the sunsets and the birds singing– it felt good to be home. I tried to soak up each moment. 

a quick jaunt west

Afternoon mom-life lattes made by Cherry / hours of imaginative playtime / wikihow “how to draw” sessions / baby holding / seeing how dry it is & one of the areas that burned / sibling time / fishing mishaps / movie night / so much driving / SO MUCH / worth it. 

in Jamaica: February 2017

This trip, my photos were about 10% sunset/sunrise/blurry pictures of the full moon, 10% food, 10% Bible quizzing, 9% sea urchin spine removal process, 1% cows on the loose, and 60% silly selfies. Which is a pretty accurate idea of what my week was like!

We are kindred spirits, and always have been. 

It was a blast to have my friend Julie along with me! 

first snow

top 10 day

Maybe ever. It was perfect. Thankful for my job that gives me random open afternoons to wander around Memorial Park! I know for sure I’ll need these pictures in mid-February to remember things like “sunshine” and “colors.”   

August 2016

Birthdays. Ice Cream. Sunrises. Olympics. Lord of the Rings. Colorado Peaches. Zoo. Tea party. Cacti. Cheese. Coffee. Flowers. Monkeying around. And more! 

surprise

For my 30th birthday, some of my family and friends totally surprised me with a party! The whole thing started at 1:30 a.m. that morning, when my family from out of town showed up in my room. I thought that was the big surprise- but there was more to come!
My family and friends put lots of work and time into this. Wow! I suspected nothing.
When you have a younger brother, you get a dozen pictures on your phone like, this…
Anna gave me 30 mustaches and a pun game. Gift giver level: expert. 
And now, 2 photos of my father and cousin listening to Kalyn with pretty identical expressions on their faces:  
(Cute baby Nick!) 
Stories around the fire pit to finish out the night. Perfect! 
In my more cynical moments, I think of myself as the one who sacrifices for others, the only one who makes things happen, who slaves away without appreciation, just like the little red hen in the story. The truth is, of course, I am loved by some amazing people. I give, and I receive, freely. This is a special birthday memory I will always treasure!

in the Netherlands

Walking. Praying. Admiring the flowers and bicycles. 
Trying to “take more pictures and not look weird.” It was a good goal..
I remember being very exhausted and enjoying the quiet. Val, Han and I ate some truly amazing burgers then loitered in this spot watching the sunset. 
Morning? Or night? It was hard to be sure at some points!

mornings in Italy

Peach granita and brioche. I’m getting emotional right now thinking of that delicious breakfast! Not pictured: espresso.

Plants and food.. what more do you really need??

best Italian lunch

I’m unpacking, going through pictures and slowly processing my trip. It is hard to know how to talk about it. I’m so glad I went, it was an incredible experience, but it was overwhelming in many ways. For today I’m just going to document one of many amazing meals.

It was our day off and the four of us friends had been shopping in the open air market, walking around, laughing hysterically, and just basically enjoying ourselves. We stopped at this restaurant for lunch.

Seated outside, on a lovely day, surrounded by stone and brick buildings, chatting with my dear friends, eating the most delicious pasta -and that tomato salad!!- words fail. It was all perfect.

And then it became TOO perfect.

Three street musicians came along and did a small performance of classic Italian songs. It was all just too good and I was overwhelmed! “Are you blushing???!” asked Valerie. “Yes, and tears are seeping out of my eyes!” I replied. I just kindof sat there, shaking my head, laughing at myself, and trying to take it all in. It was one of those moments where you have to pinch yourself to make sure it was real! 
Kalyn, Frances, Valerie & Hanna.