Pumpkin Giggles

I adore this laugh ... and the fact that something as simple as a few pumpkins and time with Mom and Dad makes him (and us) so very happy.

Owen's Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

We rode the big blue bus ...


learned about Fall vegetables from the farmer ...


braved the corn maze with new buddies Nick and Will ...


rode an awesome green tractor ...


and a red one ...


fun day!

Go Phillies!

(sigh - what can I say, the boy likes his belt ...)

Happy Anniversary to Us!

One of our early dates in January 1994


The big day - 13 years ago today. Look how cute and little Cearra is!


Celebrating 5 years together with a trip to San Francisco and Lake Tahoe.


San Diego for Cearra's 15th birthday (and the year we started the process to meet Owen).


Yesterday, taken by Owen!

Through the Camera Lens

Lately Owen has been asking me to take his picture, and then giving me a pose and a cheeky grin:



He's also having fun being on the other side of the camera. And although I have quite a few unremarkable shots of the floor, the kitchen table, toys, and what I think is an extreme close-up of his pants; this shot isn't half-bad:

Sneak Peak ...

Can you guess what Owen is being for Halloween?

Hilton Head 2009

I love Hilton Head.

I love the riotous flowers and gothically draping Spanish moss ... the twang of southern accents ... glimpses of dolphins at play ... gentle waves and smooth, broad beaches ... days spent swimming and splashing ... dinners eaten outside at Shelter Cove ... too-sweet-but-still-yummy s'mores ... hitching rides on golf carts ... shorts in October ... low country marshes and birds and critters ... bright red rocking chairs at Harbour Place ... ice cream cones from The Cinnamon Bear Country Market ... boats bobbing in calm waters.

Most of all I love holding my sweet little guy, fresh from his bath, eyes at half- mast after his day of laughing and playing with his Daddy, and his Nana and Pop-pop.

I do so cherish this place and these people.

Countdown to Christmas

This will be under the tree for Owen come Christmas:


because he loves to "help" edge the lawn while Daddy cuts it (and he deserves a tool upgrade).