A Thousand Words

Ireland

Sunrise over a stone house abandoned during the potato famine

The Muckross Mansion in Killarney National Park

Coumeenole Beach

And, even though this is supposed to be a post without people, I couldn't resist this last picture. This was Ireland for me -- watching Annika spend four uninterrupted days of fun with her new best friend. This shot is from the Gap of Dunloe.

A Thousand Words

Brad, Annika, and I came across this window on a walk down to the lake the other day. I loved it so much I made Brad and Annika stop so I could get out the camera.

Grow Family {Sneak Peek}

As I was editing these photos, Annika kept looking at the computer and saying "Etsy? Etsy?" She can't quite get the "x" in Lexi's name, but she knows that she is looking at pictures of her best friend. There were so many good pictures from this shoot -- more to come later!

. . . A Thousand Words

I love living in Germany, and I could talk forever about it. Instead, I decided to share a photo every weekend. A picture is worth a thousand words, and this will give you a peek into some of the things we love about our life here. Keep checking back!

This is part of a European alphabet book I am working on for Annika.

Annika Overload

Brad has officially been home from Iraq for a week and a day. He has had reintegration in the morning, but afternoons he has been free to spend with us. On Thursday was the big welcome home ceremony and mini-carnival with free food and little rides. Annika yawned through the ultra-slow merry-go-round and looked slightly panicked when Brad took her on the bumper cars. Block leave started on Friday, but we don't really have any big plans. We just want to be home together, and Brad wants to get to know his daughter. They are great pals already. Annika loves being outside and lately she just stands at our front door waving "bye-bye" and hitting the door to let us know she wants to get out. So, we do. We jabbered at the monkeys at the zoo, we explored a forest, we picked daisies in a field, and we go to the park almost everyday. Now that there are two of us home, I can take pictures while Brad plays with Anni. I am loving it! Here are just a few shots of our overly photographed little girl.

She just ran and ran down this little dirt road as fast as she could go.

I love her pursed lips and concentrated face. She is a girl with her own ideas these days.

Brad (aka Mr. Amazing) took this picture of Annika the other day when we were exploring one of the forests around Baumholder. It captures her perfectly -- finding something new and exciting, and then wanting to share.

This last one I took when Annika and I visited Rothenburg in May with my Mom. I was playing with some new textures and opened up this picture to try them out. My brown-eyed girl.

That finishes up your Annika fix for the day. Hope you enjoyed it!

On The Way

Garth and Alissa and Nate and Cristine -- your pictures are on the way soon! I am really hoping to have your galleries up in the next couple of days. I'll send you an email to let you know where to access them. In the meantime, here are a few more photos to tide you over.