one blessing after another.

The Huettes
Abby, Silas, Elly, Andy and Mercy

Abby and Andy have returned to Central Illinois after spending several weeks in the Congo.
They didn't come back empty handed.
Through the faith-stretching ups and downs of adoption, they brought their babies home with them.
Their family, friends, and church have been praying for the safe arrival of their two new children, Mercy and Silas.
So there was quite a crowd on hand to greet them as they stepped off the plane.

Grandpa and Grandma Huette were the first to arrive, but John and I weren't far behind.

Gathering crowd...

Family...

Safe arrival and plenty of celebrating...

Total sweetness...

Merci and Mercy...their name is a perfect desciption of each of them.

From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.

John 1:16

snakes, snails, puppy dog tails.

Okay.

So we didn't see any snakes, snails, or puppy dog tails on the trail,

but we did find mud and sticks and mosquitoes.

Miles recently turned one, and seems to have gotten the memo

that little boys must pick up sticks and get their pants wet when hiking in the woods.

Of course, most little girls do this too...at least the getting their pants wet part.

But I'm convinced that boys have a special affinity for sticks.
Little Miles is still as sweet as can be...even when carrying a big stick.

It's been a joy to capture these pictures documenting his first year.

Love his beautiful smile!

 Mama's sweet boy.

And that's the end of this little photo shoot.

Time to go home.

project 52/27.

{nature's finest}

Backyard Beauty

I'll be honest.

I moaned a bit about this week's theme...

only because I just got back from vacationing on the east coast

where I took a plethora of nature shots...

shots that I couldn't use for this week's challenge.

However, I got over it quickly.

One look out my own window

 reminded me of the beauty that can be found in my own backyard.

 

Here are a couple other nature shots from this week.

Not all of them are from my yard.

Can you guess which ones?

 

tea for two.

 To celebrate Charley's first birthday,

we had a garden tea party.

Sissy Ruby was invited,

and Mommy and Daddy came too.

But before the party begins...

look at how Charley has grown in her first year.

I'm so glad I got to watch!

And now...it's tea time.

The Tea Party

In the pleasant green Garden
We sat down to tea;

"Do you take sugar?" and

"Do you take milk?"

She'd got a new gown on–

A smart one of silk.

We all were so happy

As happy could be,

On that bright Summer's day

When she asked us to tea.

~Kate Greenaway

 

 Pleasant tea party conversation.

 I LOVE these pics of Pete and Janet.

Way to show some love!!

 Thanks for inviting us to tea.

We had a delightful time.

Happy Birthday, Charley!

birthday treat.

Happy birthday, beautiful Elly Grace.

I love you, sweet girl!

Thank you for letting me take your picture today.

I know it's not your favorite.

Lucky for me,

you do like lollipops.

flanagan farm.

 Meet part of the Cain family.

We've been trying to schedule a session for a couple of months,

but with three teenagers in the house,

life is...well...busy.

So this week, we ventured out to a friend's farm

and caught some shots with Nathan, Candi, and Kelly.

Candi's god-daughter Chandler Grace joined in the fun,

and proved to be quite the model!!

Enjoy the sneak peek!

 

happy birthday fallon!

 I met Miss Fallon when she was only weeks old.
And now she's one year old...already!
It has been such a delight to watch her grow.
Here's a recap of her first year....

 She is absolutely beautiful!

 And now...let's have some cake....

She doesn't usually like to get her hands messy...

 but she managed to get in the spirit of things.

 And just in case she hadn't had enough sugar....

Happy Birthday, sweet Fallon!