Woodland Antics

We're home from Fiona's Birthday Experience, two weeks on the south island of New Zealand. It. Was. Amazing. Of course I have a million pictures to look through and share, along with a million more from the past month or two (maybe 3) but before I do any of that I want to say I have to be the luckiest mama around to have Fiona as my daughter. She is growing up to be such a beautiful little girl... As per her birthday tradition we continued to trash my wedding dress in New Zealand... {To see the past pictures follow  THIS LINK } The fog hides a stunning view of beautiful mountains in Milford Sound. I love how her hair matches the golden field.  I'm not sure why she kept closing her eyes.  I didn't feel that I had the right to infringe on her pictures, so I let her pose the way she thought looked best and in turn I captured eight year old Fiona.    The flower crown she wore has a specia...

This year Fiona continued the trashing of my dress along the banks of the Yarra River... (for pictures from the past years click HERE ) I probably should have brushed her hair out. Oh well, it's all in fun. I'm so excited it's become a special tradition for her as well. She really tried to work it. :) It's difficult for me to fathom she went from this... to this...  in just 4 years  Boy is she beautiful!

Over the years we've done a photo of Fiona on her birthday in my wedding dress. The past couple have been, "quick throw the dress on and snap a few pictures." This year I almost forgot about it. Ry reminded me and I'm so grateful. Look how she's grown..... All of her wedding dress pictures/videos can be found here... Archive  I'm still madly in love with this dress.   It's simple with a classic tone.   I also love it because I can throw it in the washing machine and it comes out good as new.  She made that flower out of paper.  In her mind it was a must for the photo's. So Fiona. I could scream to the world how much I love this little girl  and still the world would have no idea the depth of my love.   Happy 6th Lil' Monkey!

A mound of all of our belongings that I felt we absolutely needed to take with us to start a new life sat in my folks garage.  It needed to be at least halved.  Out of the corner of my eye I could see someone holding up the wedding dress to Ryan. I hadn't brought it up yet.  I knew it was a luxury. I held my breath as I listened for his response....   "Definitely take it."  {I love that guy} So our tradition continues... New Hampshire 2005 Childrens Hospital Washington D.C. 2009 Maryland 2010 Taken in Massachusetts 2011 living in Canada Great Ocean Road, Australia 2012 Now that is one well traveled dress.. . and little girl . This had to be the easiest set of pictures I've ever taken.  She was excited to wear the dress but "only for three pictures"  I squeezed in 12.  She stood there perfectly and began to do some of the cutest poses including yoga. After 2 minutes she was satisfied...