and just like that, six

everly mae - you are everything
I love you to the moon and back
you are so smart and so spunky
talented and kind
so thoughtful with your words
and was even just honored at school for your responsibility
you care about others
and others can't seem to get enough of you
so everly mae - you are my everything
we all love you to the moon and back

almost six!

this past weekend we took advantage of some gorgeous October weather here in California and celebrated everly turning almost six!

considering we literally hopped off a bus the night before from a week at science camp, I think we pulled things off.  at one point I actually forgot we were even hosting a birthday party until late the night before.  thankfully I was able to talk everly into a halloween themed party this year.  first, it is her favorite thing ever.  and second, very little 'day of' decorating needed to happen because our house is highly decorated for the holiday already.  really just the back yard needed some spooky details to bring the party to life.  thank you to everyone who helped me get this party together in very little time!

thanks auntie for whipping up her radish earrings for her costume, and my sally bow for that fact!

 ^christmas card material???^

and unless you always want to make ridiculous homemade birthday cakes, 

don't go crazy on year one, or they kind of expect it!

^she asked for her hair to be straightened for her costume - 

Luna Lovegood, I barely recognize my baby^

and since I was already looking at her first birthday party - here's a little peek down the road to six.

and yes, I made every single cake.

thankfully, we just ordered some ridiculous donuts for her kid party this coming weekend!

as always, love celebrating this little lady of ours!

summer of disneyland [mini film]

this summer we soaked up two trips to the parks.  it seems that no matter when you go, the parks are pretty full.  but there are some magical hours that need to be attended, and no, I'm not talking actual magic mornings.  I'm just talking the first three to four hours the parks are open.  it is cool, and quiet, and as long as you stay out of tomorrow land [it gets so crowded so fast, and I never really understand why] you can get onto pretty much any ride with a very small wait.

as soon as it crept closer to noon, we would grab a bite to eat and head back to the hotel for a swim and a rest, typically making our way back into the parks around dinner time.  the middle of the day always feels the craziest, and during the summer, the hottest, so we just avoid it altogether.  getting back into the parks just before sunset makes for the most magical photos - the lighting is breathtaking.  and, besides sunset, I always love the parks at night the best.  the lights, oh the twinkling lights, always the best.

here is a look at our summertime moments in disneyland.

music -
bring it on home to me - sam cooke [guardians of the galaxy vol. 2 soundtrack]
when can I see you again - owl city [wreck it ralph soundtrack]
married life - michael giacchino [up soundtrack]
I see the light - mandy moore [tangled soundtrack]

shot on our sony a6000 & a6500

here's a look at our other disneyland mini-film trips here, here, and here.
all disneyland posts here.

ten. and thirty-four.

milestones marked with photos feel just a little extra special.  capturing my family in all of our stages and special times is pretty important to me [understatement].   when celebrating ten years of marriage, I knew that I wanted the amazingly talented sarah maren to capture our family once again in this time and space.

so here is our family, ten years of marriage in the books, and I don't take that milestone lightly.
and today, I'm celebrating thirty-four years of living.  I can say I'm pretty happy with those two numbers.

so when it comes to years, looking forward to thirty-four, this is the picture I have always had in my mind.  feeling beyond lucky that I get to spend enjoying ten years of marriage, and thirty-four years of living.

see other photos that sarah has taken of our family here.