We crossed the bridge and the smell of salt air began to fade. From neutral colors of sand and white skies, to tree lined roads and skyscraper skylines. We crossed the Delaware Memorial bridge, read the sign from Mayor O’Malley that welcomed us to Maryland and continued even further until a red cardinal on the Virginia sign reminded us to ‘Buckle Up’.

Our destination was Haymarket, VA. The home of my father, his wife Karen, my 12 year old brother Devin and now MY 2 MONTH old brother J.P. (John Patrick). That’s right, my family welcomed a brand new little baby boy into the world late this past January and we feel so very blessed to have another beautiful life enter our little universe. With bright blue eyes, peach fuzz on his head and the tiniest little toes and fingers, JP was such a sweet reminder how precious life is….how much of a gift it is from God. So innocent, so pure….so perfect!

(Dad, baby JP, Devin, Me, Karen – L to R)

We got to spend time as a family in the simplicity of NOTHINGNESS! A glass of wine, lots of laughs and LOTS of staring at little JP…I got lost in the nothingness of family time and JUST HOW MUCH I adore it and value it in my life. My family re inspires me. They motivate me. They refresh my heart, mind and soul. I am so thankful for each of them.

We got to snap a few photos during my time there. Mind you…I SO do not specialize in newborn photography, I just shoot them for how they really are…”smiley/cranky little humans that hate to be outside cold and hungry…” hehehehe. My fathers side of the family is very IRISH so we had some custom shirts to rock in a few photos and all decided to sport our St. Patty’s Day green in some impromptu tripod family shots! : P

I love my growing family. The simplicity I find in nothingness. And the  inspiration I gain each and every-time I return to “home”.