Sparklers!

Sorry about the dead air around here lately, everyone! Summer has taken off faster and been busier than I expected. I'll try to remedy my absence.

Last weekend was our family reunion. On Friday night my cousin-in-law, Ben, set off fireworks and lit sparklers for the kids. I knew I had to run to my car and get my camera - everyone was being so photogenic. 

The kids had to line up to receive their sparklers. Elinor was a bit wary of the flying sparks.

What have you been up to lately? Any big plans for the summer?

December Photo-a-Day 2013: Days 26, 27, 28 + 29

Day 26: I tried a healthier prepackaged ramen. It was pretty good, but needed salt.

Day 27: Cinnamon rolls are best fresh from the oven.

Day 28: Since my sister and her husband (who live over 3 hours away) couldn't be here for Christmas, we decided to wait to open presents until they could make it.

Day 29: Happiness = a bit of leftover wrapping paper.

December Photo-a-Day 2013: Days 21, 22 + 23

Day 21: I forgot to take a photo until dark, so Reuben offered to shine a flashlight on the trees outside our door. I really liked the eerie effect.

Day 22: My sister had her baby! Audra went into labor last Sunday, but it stalled. One week later, little Bella arrived safe and sound.

Day 23: Helen climbed into the corner cupboard, but couldn't get herself out again. It was hilarious. I'm such a bad mom. ;)

10 Months + Photo-a-Day: Days 17 + 18

Helen is 10 months old!

Here’s what’s new this month:

• She started walking! At just a week or so shy of 10 months, she really took off. Here and here are videos to prove it.
• She learned how to point at things. It’s fun to see her pointing at animals in books and at people.
• She’s learning how to use signs as well. I taught her the sign for when she wants to nurse. It’s nice to know for sure what she wants.
• She’s learning knew words as well. She says “Bye-bye” and waves, uh-oh (see this video for proof), and hot (pronounced with a silent H) for sure. She probably says other things that I don’t recognize yet.
• She’s sleeping through the night. Hallelujah! She still fusses a bit in the middle of the night, but she’ll put herself back to sleep. We started sleep training her a few nights ago, and it only took about a night and a half for her to figure it out.

And now for the photo-a-day pictures:

Day 17: Cousin Susan loves to give Helen kisses. So sweet!

Day 18: Helping Dad! I love the look of concentration on her face.

2 Responses to 10 Months + Photo-a-Day: Days 17 + 18

1. Cait 
   December 19th, 2013 at 3:19 pm
   She is so tiny to be walking! It’s adorable. My Jacqueline was just past her first birthday, and even she looked like a baby doll walking around.
2. Linda 
   December 19th, 2013 at 8:03 pm
   Congratulations to Helen! Her concentration is a real marvel–where there’s a will there’s a way, and will she has! What a sweetheart.

December Photo-a-Day 2013: Day 5

Today (well, technically yesterday as I’m writing this at 1:12 AM), I cleaned out my refrigerator. It makes me happy to see everything so spotless and tidy.

Do you get pleasure from giving things a good cleaning?

Waking Up to Snow

The other morning we woke up to a beautiful, snowy sunrise.

What’s the weather been like where you live?

6 Responses to Waking Up to Snow

1. Annie 
   October 30th, 2013 at 12:50 pm
   Beautiful pictures! Woke up to a heavy fog this morning, which turned into rain. I’m hoping the snow will hold off for as long as possible. ;)
2. Kristina F 
   October 30th, 2013 at 11:05 pm
   Well, it has been in the 80’s lately here in South Texas. :) But now it is raining and a little cooler. I don’t like cold weather though, so I’m glad I live here. You and I are about as far apart as you can get North and South and still be in the US. :)
3. Kaylan 
   November 1st, 2013 at 8:21 am
   So beautiful!
4. Madeleine 
   November 1st, 2013 at 4:40 pm
   Oh, we are still watching the leaves fall! I am sure the snow will make it’s way to us soon, here in the Chicago suburbs. :)
   Love the pictures, Erica.
5. Judy 
   November 1st, 2013 at 5:23 pm
   Lovely photos of your woods. Our weather here in the Chicago area is slowly changing from fall to early winter. We had our first glimpse of snow flurries last week!
6. Betsy 
   November 2nd, 2013 at 4:29 pm
   I would love to see some snow before Thanksgiving. Right now the mornings are crisp in NW Missouri and the trees are vibrant red, orange and yellow. Breathtaking.

My Year in Photos 2012 Part 2

And at long last, the second half of my 2012 year in photos…

See the first half here.

July

I had the privilege of photographing the C family kids. They are so photogenic.

My Kitchen Garden flourished.

We had a huge storm that knocked over many trees.

We spent a few weekends at the cabin.

Fun times at the family reunion.

Baby Susan gets more adorable each day.

August

More fun times at the other family reunion.

September

We finally announced to the world that we are expecting!

I had so much fun doing a mini session with my sister-in-law. See more photos on her blog here.

Elinor turned four.

Here I am at 20 weeks.

October

We had a beautiful first snow. Read more about it here.

I shot the C Family and my sister’s family.

Here I am at 24 weeks.

November

My favorite kind of day.

Frosty Morning.

Here I am at 28 weeks.

December

Good times ice skating. I chose not to skate because of the risk of falling.

Our Charlie Brown Christmas Tree.

Christmas Morning.

Here I am at 33 weeks. I got very sick with a stomach bug, so I was unable to post at my regular 4-week interval.

And there you have our year in photos! It’s hard to believe that 2012 has already come to a close and that we’re so close to embarking on a new adventure as parents.

If you’d like to see my previous years in photos, follow the links below.

2011: PART 1 | PART 2

2010: PART 1 | PART 2

Here’s to a marvelous 2013!

3 Responses to My Year in Photos 2012 Part 2

1. Raelyn Nichole 
   January 17th, 2013 at 6:37 pm
   What a nice post series! I really enjoyed “seeing” your 2012. Your sister’s husband looks an awful lot like Reuben. Are they brothers?
   -Raelyn Nichole
2. Sarah G. 
   January 18th, 2013 at 4:36 pm
   Raelyn I was wondering the same thing! They sure do look a lot alike. Fun pictures!
3. Erica Lea 
   January 19th, 2013 at 3:57 pm
   Raelyn & Sarah: Yes, my sister and I married brothers. It will be fun to see how similar/different our kids look. :)