brothers...

I don't think I've mentioned this before, but my brother is in the Marine Corps. Well, technically, not quite yet. He leaves in mid-August to complete his boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina. He'll be gone for three months and then ship off somewhere to a base in the US. Then....who knows! It has been so weird thinking he has only a few months left here at home.


my other brother is getting ready to graduate from high school in June. He's already taken one year of college classes as a senior, so he he's got a nice head start. I have no idea what he wants to pursue in the future, but I think it has to do with some newfangled engineering thing. You could call him the Family Clown. I will be blogging his senior shots hopefully soon. I am dreadfully behind...

our American Girl

One of my favorite toys growing up was my American Girl doll, Samantha. Elaina has inherited my doll and both of my sisters, but currently, she has been constantly asking for "her own doll straight from the store". Of course! Imagine her surprise when the American Girl Doll of the Year was a pretty, blonde doll named...Lanie, which is Elaina's nickname (we refer to her with both names, but Lanie is more frequently used). My parents purchased her the matching outfit to the doll, which has only increased the demands for the doll. Because, of course, the matching outfit is only half of the package, Mom and Dad. Unfortunately for the poor girl, she'll just have to keep whining until her seventh birthday in September. I think she'll be pleasantly surprised and very happy!

Shoe-aholic.

Yes, it's true. I love shoes. This picture is actually for another project I'm working on, but I liked it so much, I had to share :) What types of shoes are your favorites? Heels? Flats? Tennies? Do you like ones with patterned designs (zebra stripes, floral pattern, etc), flowers or other embellishments? Since I'm on the taller side, I am not a fan of heels, but I do own several pairs and wear them sometimes. Flats of any style are probably my favorites. If they have different patterns or embellishments, even better!

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This weekend, I am...

...wondering who gave my friends permission to grow up and get married ;)
...sleepy.
...supposed to be doing homework.
...grateful for certain friends.
...happy.
...booking photoshoots.
...exercising. Actually, I already did that. Yesterday I ran 5.5 miles and then this morning I went to my torture class.

Happy Saturday!

spring is coming!

baby b.

Oops!

My apologies for disappearing. Things have been absolutely crazy - I returned to school this week. Seven more weeks of classes and then SUMMER. Speaking of summer, the weather has been beautiful here! Mid-fifties, sunny and breezy. I love it. Unfortunately, I have been very sick with who knows what. I have been drinking a ton of tea and resting (when I can). If my symptoms last for another day or two, I will be going to the doctor.

All that to say, I am behind in blogging and moderating comments, so bear with me!

gavin and ella.

look who's getting bigger! for even more photos, click here.

I know, I'm a bad blogger...

Okay, I have a confession to make. I have been addicted to the Olympics which is why I haven't been posting or taking pictures. Seriously, it sounds absurd but it's true. When I wasn't busy writing 35 page research papers on Middle Eastern diasporas, I was in front of the TV or the computer keeping up with scores. I am beyond crazy when it comes to the Olympics, especially the winter games. I discovered this year that I actually enjoy Curling. And I found it so awesomely cool that the gold and silver medalists for Ice Dancing train less than 5 minutes from my house. How cool is that?! Okay, so I'm weird but whatever. Now that the games have ended, maybe I will get back into blogging ;)

Some of you asked to see the big ice cave my brother built earlier this week, so I'm stealing my sister's pictures. (Told you I was serious - I was too busy watching the Olympics to get pictures!) Pretty cool, huh?