Winter beach

A few weeks ago, London and I popped down to the beach to hang out with the 'rents. They have encouraged me to come down for the Pensacola Arts Festival for years but I've never taken them up on the invitation. We made a last minute decision to swing down there and I'm so glad we did! I can't put my finger on exactly why I feel this way, but this trip settled into my soul as an important time with my family. It felt like memory making... I talk about it a lot on the blog. The moments that I catch myself thinking, 'Remember this minute. Just like this. Don't forget.' 

One of my very favorite TV shows is called 'The Office'. The darling couple on the show started this motion before their wedding that when they were in a perfect moment together, they would act like they were taking a picture with an invisible camera. It was their way of not forgetting that exact minute. This whole weekend felt chock full of those little minutes that I want to hold on to and make them last. So, here are my mental pictures. 

But first, Jim and Pam {video}. YOU GUYS. If you want to cry every tear you can possibly produce, get on Netflix and watch The Office Season 6 Episode 5. The wedding. EVERY. SINGLE. TEAR. Also, if you watch it and think, 'you know, so and so reminds me EXACTLY of Jim Halpert', then note his age. If he's in his late teens, you need to set up a date with Charley. If he's in his 30's, send him my number immediately. Charley and I are both looking for the same dude, 15 years apart, based on a ficticious character. We are realistic. 

I digress.... :) Not a bad view to drive in, walk on the balcony, take a deep breath, and say thanks for every day He gives. I'm so thankful for our life. 

Finally worn. This was after much much, much dancing to show off for her grandparents!

Saturday morning was COLD. This was our first winter beach trip and it was chilly willy! 

Per the usual, it took Lu all of 3 seconds to decide she'd rather be cold and wet than not be in her beloved ocean. She'll end up seaside one day. No question about it. 

{click}

Gorgeous. This place heals. 

Sand angels :)

This. Just this. {click}

I think I know what the feeling is now. After blogging about it. My folks gave me a rich life. I have such a huge stockpile of memories of the times I knew without a shadow of a doubt that my mom would do ANYTHING for me. And we traveled a LOT. We saw and experienced so many cool things. My parents did a great job of keeping us as grounded as possible but there were plenty of life events that I lived with stars in my eyes because they were big and exciting. Broadway. Snowsking. Beach trips. Fancy food with Dad.

I know what it is now.... London has stepped into my shoes and her amazing grandparents are giving her 'stars in her eyes' moments. I know enough now to realize the importance of these times and am beyond thankful to have evidence of the JOY they are bringing to her life. We are so in love with you, momma and dad.

More to come! I loaded pictures per event so I'll get the others up asap!

Photo Edits

So sorry for not posting more but my computer died and I haven't had time to get to the Apple store to see if it's fixable or RIP for the old technology machine. I can load pictures from my phone but it takes longer so I'm awful about procrastinating! Luckily last night, I gave up on my chores, plopped in the bed at 8:30 and loaded a few posts on here before I zonked out! 

Last week, an Instagram friend challenged me to post a black and white photo each day for a week. First things first- if we're IG friends, I shall NEVER call you out for a posting challenge. I know I could've ignored the challenge but she said something nice about my pics so I decided to try it. I joined in mainly because I typically post pictures with color, brighter color, with a dash of color on top. Think: obnoxious. 

I love it when people post super faded, muted photos, but I can never go there with my pictures. It's just not me. So, I thought going monochrome for a week would be a big change up for me and an interesting project. Turns out I loved it. For 5 days I looked at everything around me to find the beauty in my everyday backdrop. Where was the light coming from? Would the object lose it's 'flavor' if you took the color away?  I've been thinking a lot about getting stuck in ruts. I love our life but it is generally a carbon copy of each week over and over and over, which, trust me, after the last few years, is FINE BY ME. But for this week,  I liked having something to day dream about... a distraction... a little atypical in the midst of our very typical life.

I thought I'd post a few of the pics and edits that I did and see how you feel.. Do you like the black and whites or do you sway towards color like me? 

I didn't use this one because it felt too close to home for me. I wanted this picture all for myself. When you get sweet thing laughing just right, you can see her one tiny dimple that I love beyond words. I'm glad I have this shot. (and I love you to the moon, Lu Lu.)

We always have dinner with the Thomas' on Monday nights. A sweet friend needed a last minute babysitter so we had a tiny little addition to the normal crew. This little plum has two HUGE dimples and our three big kids were falling all over themselves to see them! 

This is a midday bloody mary to celebrate the amazing Jill Thomas' birthday! (I LOVE YOU, Jill Thomas!) I much prefer the color version of this one... see below.

So much better, right?

These pictures look very similar but one made me laugh and I wanted to show you the edits process. Here's the original. London has circus eyes that are apparently looking at two different things! Lucky shot for me! She was so tickled at her different direction eyes, so I don't think she'll be mad at me for posting!

Here's a faded version of this picture that if I knew what I was doing, I would make cool pictures that look like this! 

Here was my submission for the black and white challenge where I pulled all the color out then went back and put her original eye color back in. I kind of loved it so I took another picture where her eyes are normal and did this same process. I might print it for the house! She's so beautiful!

original 

enhanced

black and white. I love it. This one is my favorite! 

So, what do you think? Are you a black and white person or like life in highlighter like me?!

School Picture Time!!

One of my favorite things about London's school is that they hire a family photographer to take their school pictures. They always turn out so sweet! I thought London's were beautiful.. they don't look like her every day smile, but I still love them because they are of *her*. Sweetest, gorgeous girl.

(Your momma could eat you up, child.)

And because they are absolutely family, there's no way I'd leave them of the ole family blog.... Knox Thomas looking tall, skinny, and dreamy as always. Isn't he SO handsome?!?!

Lucas Thomas... what a total heartbreaker. I want you all to talk to him in person because his sweet, mischievous eyes will slay you. I have no power over his persuasion. Goodness, I love him.