easter sunday!

Well, hey there, ya'll! Last week somehow became an avoid-eye-contact-with-the-blogger-bookmark kind of week. It's funny how those sneak up. & speaking of sneaking up, Easter popped up really quickly! It was a jam packed weekend, & I have lots (LOTS) of pictures to make up for the blog silence. 

My family takes our Easter Sunday photos pretty seriously. For the last few years, it's been the family photo-op, & the color scheme planning has gotten ser-i-ous. It was downpouring aaaaall morning this Easter, so my parents' back patio replaced the typical outdoor scenery. Even with the added humidity from the rain, it was actually a perfect backdrop. So, without further ado... The Essmann Family Photo Sesh, 2013. (With some Sunday Best hiding out in the middle.)

^ Yeah, my parents are adorable. But let's talk about mom's SHOES. Blim-blam. ^

 

 ^ Voted best picture, 2013 - The Golden Doodle Photo Bomb ^

 

^ I ask her to be my light test & she does this. OH, OKAY. ^

 

 ^ Added a baby to this year's picture of The Girls ^

 ^ This dog loves having her picture taken. Like, she's smiling. ^

HIS

jacket - moss // shirt - j. crew // chambray bowtie - tie bar // pocket sqare - h&m // pants - uo // loafers - thrifted

HERS

shirt - h&m // skirt - t.j. maxx // heels - old navy // barrette - h&m + hot glue + ribbon

^ This part is so sad after all the work that goes into egg dye-ing ^

 ^ But then you make Sour Cream + Bacon Deviled Eggs & it's not so sad anymore ^

^ Then you get cocky & make Roasted Garlic + Chive Deviled Eggs & you're like, "What is sad?"

 ^ Mama's pretty table. ^

& we'll talk some more about those dyed eggs tomorrow. I'd also like to disclaimer that my hair is not actually THAT red, although it turns copper every single freaking time I try to go even the slightest bit darker. But gray skies & reflected light & blahhh blah blahhhh.

Gosh, this post is a little all over the place. It's a lot all over the place. But I'm watching a Cardinals game (HEYYYY BASEBALL SEASON!!!) over the top of my laptop, & then focusing the rest of my attention on not stealing cheese off of Jared's snack plate. #willpower #yearofthebridesmaid #butaaaallIwaaaaantischeeeeeeeeese

a little kitty

Okay, it's not a little kitty. It's a little baby named Cat. & her name is actually Catherine, but she's just  a little ginger kitty to her Aunt Kelsey. Between my family & Jared's, there is ALWAYS a baby being born, & we couldn't love it more. I get lots of camera practice & we both get a newborn fix at least once a year. It works out perfectly.

& since we're all freaking out about the death of Google Reader, it works out PERFECTLY that I just joined Bloglovin' a few weeks back. Keep up with the tree here!

being an older sister

 

I have random memories from the early years of being an older sister. 

Meredith was born when I was 5 years old. I vividly remember "helping" my dad plant purple flowers in the front yard flower beds, discussing what it would mean to be a big sister. I remember picking out her name on mom & dad's bed after we finished reading books before bedtime. I remember getting to stay up until after 9 p.m. waiting for my grandma to get the phone call that Meredith had finally arrived. Aaaaand then I remember making up a song & singing it softly to myself, hoping someone would hear my lament about feeling left out because of the baby. Probably because of this scene from Hook, actually. I was just a little bit dramatic.

I was 8 when Lissy arrived, & she was my baby. I should have clearer memories of her since I was older, but it's mostly just memories of constantly holding her. & combing her hair when she got out of the bath because you better believe we thought those curls were pure gold. I remember dressing her up in teeny little leotards & tights to "teach" her ballet. She was totally sassy.

Being an older sister to these girls hasn't always been easy. There have been months - years? - that we've had to relearn how to talk to each other. There have been hard times & distance. & we call those the they-were-pre-teens-&-I-was-an-angry-teenager years. I haven't always been a role model, & they definitely tried to drown at least two boyfriends in the family pool.

But being an older sister to these girls has always been simple. Simple because there has always been Love. Love with a capitol L because sister love is different than most other kinds of love. I know in my heart of hearts that they are some of the best human beings I've ever encountered. I can talk to them for hours - & I do. They are best friends, & I so admire their love & loyalty to each other. They make our family complete, & I can honestly say that I no longer write songs about feeling left out. *high five*

FYI, the next part is smooshy, gooey lovey.

_____________________________________________________

Meredith, you are 19 & glowing. You exercise your middle name most perfectly every day in the grace that overflows into your very wise & very forgiving decisions. I'm actually really happy that your 18th year involved red hair & piercings, because you're exploring YOU & that's really exciting. You're beautiful, lady.

Lissy, I almost refuse to believe that you are 16. But you have 16 years of feisty going for you, & your passion shows through your dedication to the people & things you have around you. You are a curly ray of pretty sunshine, & your ability to quote How I Met Your Mother on demand is actually shocking. I'm proud of you for constantly being LISSY, no matter who or what.

& so, another February birthday week has passed, & I didn't cry. Well, actually, I teared up for like 4 seconds. I guess I'm getting to that age. Happy birthdays, ladies. I love love love you.

thanksgiving & giving thanks

This past year, we've been especially thankful for:
A new job for him
A new home for us
Friends all around
A new record player
Our time together before puppies & babies (MOSTLY thankful for. Sometimes not ;))
Nieces & nephews
The shop on the corner, with local milk & plenty of chocolate
Big plans & bigger dreams for the next year
Laughing ourselves to sleep
The Dan in Real Life soundtrack
Hardwood floors
Cranberry pie & whipped cream

It seems so silly to try to make a brief, little list containing fraction of all we have to be thankful for. Really, every day that I wake up - Breathing & in love & saved by grace - there is nothing else but gratitude.


We hope you had a WONDERFUL thanksgiving, everyone.

birthday-ing

 

Some moments from my birthday, which somehow was a whole week ago already. Such a sweet day. But then again, I'm prone to say that about any day that ends with hot apple cider. I'm REALLY hard to please, I know.

mama mia!

click the "read more" below to see all the pictures!