Labor Day Baby

17 years ago my youngest sister was born on Labor Day and this year her birthday fell on the holiday once again. We drove up for the day to celebrate with our half-a-family. I made my baby sister french toast for breakfast.

And then we spent the afternoon at the Newseum. It's now one of my favorite sites in D.C.- despite that it was an unexpectedly sobering experience. Here we're standing next to a portion of the Berlin wall...

Beautiful views from the rooftop deck...

They had stunning yet heart-wrenching exhibits devoted to Katrina, 9/11, and pulitzer-prize winning photography. A monument of twisted metal from the World Trade Centers...

And of course there were cake and candles and presents involved... 

Happy Birthday, Brooke!

some of my favorite things

running with dustin in the park on a saturday morning.

... followed by a trip to the farmers market for fresh baked bread, tomatoes, corn.


nail polish.
(for years i've tried to stop biting my nails. then one day i got a manicure and discovered that as long as i keep them polished i won't bite 'em. Voila!)


how happy dustin gets when byu wins a football game.
(the opposite could be considered one of my least favorite things)


fall.
(boots, sweaters, scarves, apple picking, pumpkin candles)

the way Virginia looks in the fall.
(it's coming!)


sunday mornings.
(sleeping in- or going back to bed if you're like me and always wake up by 6am, pancakes, reading)


ice cream.


and sisters.
(i'm lucky enough to have 3 of them... and can't believe that the littlest one turns 17 tomorrow!)

(i found these pictures taken of my sisters as my bridesmaids only 5 years ago... before make-up and contacts, sporting braces... so adorable!)