08.16

Just another thing we have in common. We both wished we could be small enough to test out those stairs inside.

08.14

I had forgotten about it until I saw it.

08.13

I love his exhibits, but sometimes the walls have to lie fallow.

08.10

I love family. I love pictures.

08.06

It was hard. I imagined the three of them having to leave me behind. I hope to prevent that.

08.05

I felt relief, even though I didn't want to. I felt like I could settle in to the vacation. And I felt like I belonged here.

08.04

It was a dream come true.

08.03

I just had to leave. I couldn't keep it together. And at that point I had nothing. Turns out leaving was what I needed.

08.02

I wanted to light one. They just draw me in.

08.01

I started in the library, but I felt too seen. I need to feel invisible.

07.31

He spent the time to write it but never even mentioned it. I took it as a message written just for me.

07.30

Everything I heard and saw in the morning encouraged me. But my memory is so short.

07.29

I would have liked to blame my shortness of breath on the altitude, but it was the nerves all the way.

07.25

At times, I wished I had left the camera behind. Afterward, I was glad I had taken it.

07.23

I've been there, buddy. Just wanting to lie down in the sand and throw a fit.

07.22

I thought there would be fewer people. But apparently there are a lot of crazy morning people on vacation.

07.20

When I am old, I want a swimsuit just like this one. And a hat like her embroidered white one. I think only toddlers and old women can pull off the look.

07.18

At first, I let the worry over the car get to me. I felt like I shook it off enough later to enjoy a beautiful evening of fried food, baseball, and family.

07.17

The method: scoop it up, dump it, sort through.

07.16

When she asked us to confirm that we had kids, I was worried what was coming next. It was this inflatable friend and lots of other fun things. Thanks.

07.15

The ocean terrified both of them. They only got over it a little bit. They preferred the pool.

07.08

The Triple Slide. Epically dangerous. Infinitely fun.

07.07

They know this is the only role I'm going to play in their fishing. The thought of all of it just gives me the squirms.

07.06

I think they would have done just as well without the bribery. But they'll always take anything you're giving.

07.05

They have put me to shame several years in a row now. I'm begging for bed and they're still ready to go.

07.04

How can I get angry at those faces?! Yet, I always manage it. I wish...

07.03

We talked about the wallpaper and how perfect it was with the white. The whole place just felt bright and cozy and perfect.

07.02

I tried not to glare at those clad in Cardinal gear. Had I heard the All-Star news earlier in the day, I know I wouldn't have succeeded in holding back those glares, no matter how hard I might have tried.

07.01

I wonder how many times I will see it again. I wonder if I will ever tire of the sight.

06.30

All the things I love in a day were there. Friends, family, rocks, water, breezes. I made rock cairns to celebrate.

06.28

Happy Birthday lunch! Fried mushrooms, all to myself. A lovely antique store that we just browsed.

06.27

I saw a teenage girl hula hooping. Badly. But fearlessly.

06.26

So much beauty, so much sadness.

06.25

"V" for Votto. 19 for...Votto.

06.23

After the morning's festivities, we left him alone to fully immerse himself in his new world of clouds.

06.22

I am tired of wishing and striving. I want to just settle in, but that seems impossible.

06.21

All did not go smoothly on our journey there, but once we arrived, everything was perfect. Without being actually perfect. Real world perfect. And timeless.

06.20

I am always impatient in those situations. I think it requires superhuman traits to not be.

06.18

I am probably the only one who cares that the books are so carefully organized. But it makes me happy.

06.17

I needed some acceptance. And this was the one from which I most craved acceptance.

06.16

We took a picture of the two of us lying in the grass, then turned the camera around and took a picture of the trees and sky and clouds we saw.

06.14

We got an extra long game to listen to on our drive and the welcome of adorable kiddos once we arrived.

06.13

Our night to celebrate our ten years together.

06.11

Sorting through all the photographs is a job, but it has its rewards. Like this. From Owen's camera, last year on our Duck Boat adventure. I'm so proud.

06.10

A night at the ballpark followed by days without mommy duties. A nice beginning to a week. Thanks, mom and dad, for both.

06.09

I could have sat there and just imagined. What it was like when this place was where it came from.

06.08

In my opinion, the perfect summer birthday party.

06.05

Honestly, I didn't really want to do it either. But it's for the best, in the long run.

06.04

The last time I went canoeing, I cried in the boat. I successfully avoided that this time.

06.01

I was glad for an excuse to put on long pants and a jacket. Sit under a giant pine tree in a camp chair and laugh with friends.