a man and his dog

There is just something special about a man and his dog.

Since we have moved here Hoss and Nathan have developed a special bond. He LOVES to go on walks and runs with him. They are pretty good buds(I must say I get a little jealous sometimes so I just give Hoss a few extra treats and then I get the extra attention for a day or so!!)

When we walked outside for our walk the first thing out of my mouth was WOW this lighting is every photographers dream! After we finished out little trip, I ran inside to grab the camera and got this shot. I LOVE how the sun is hitting the top of Hoss's head and coming through the trees. so cool.

  

Happy Monday!  love Nathan, Erin & Hoss too

spring break

I posted a few days ago about our sunny, warm, beautiful trip to Orlando, however, today we woke up to this........

yes, that would be snow!! I guess I spoke to soon about that crazy state of NJ getting snow in March. WE HAVE IT TOO!! I much prefer the sunshine and palm trees, so I had to post them too.

We ate at the most delicious steakhouse called Charlies. It was AMAZING!

please excuse the extremely tired look- this was after our day of flying!

 I hate ALLIGATOR!

Nathans 22 oz steak!! yumm

yep- Nathan found the basketball hoop!

my stud!

 Its tradition that we write N loves E in the sand...but since we weren't on the beach Nathan did it in the sky!! Pretty cool huh?! :)

N loves E

you can take the boy out of Indiana but you can't take the Indiana out of the boy!

before dinner

Downtown Disney!!!!!

Marry Poppins...my favorite!

Disney everywhere!

I think Nathan is dreaming of the day we will take our kids to Disney! haha

super freaky moving winged lady.

T-REX

Legos- so cool

its even Magical @ night!

my view for the two days

getting out of the sun for a bit!

:)

GOSH I MISS THIS!

Tomorrow- I head back to work.booo.however, I am going in with a positive attitude and with the count-down of only 35 more days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

my mom

Today I had a to-do list ready to start bright and early this morning, however, God had other plans for me today and I am so thankful he did. Today I spent the morning into afternoon with my mom. We sat and talked for hours about....well about things that mom and daughters talk about. It was something I needed more than I realized. Although we see each other much more than we used to- it seems that life gets in the way and we don't get to spend much time just being mother/daughter. I have missed it. A mother just knows when you need a hug, talk or shoulder to cry on- it really is amazing. I am so thankful for my amazing mom. She really is the best and I can't thank her enough for words of wisdom, hugs, love and advice she has given me.

Mom you are beautiful.

wonderful.

thoughtful.

kind.

funny.

loving.

the best.

I love you mom- thanks for a wonderfully, perfect day of just being together as mother and daughter.

Airport

Nathan and I are sitting in an airport in New Jersery and we are heading home from a very nice trip to Florida. We left sunny and 80 degree weather to land here where there is snow on the ground!!!!! I have no idea why anyone would want to live in this crazy city where it is still snowing in March! ;)
We decided last minute to go for a short sunny get-away and I am so thankful we did! We went to very delicious restaurants, Downtown Disney(it was the closest I could get Nathan to Disney) but I loved it and can't wait to someday take some little ones there...it really is magical!!
For two days straight we layed by the pool, read books, got sunburnt, slept in, watched TV in bed( a treat for us!), took taxis that cost too much, laughed a lot, cut it super close to make our flight and enjoyed just being the two of us. I am one lucky girl!
We are now heading back to Indy where there is no palm trees and no Mickey Mouse but with wonderful memories from the last few days. I am starting a new online workshop so I am excited to get started on that tomorrow. I am hoping the last few days of spring break will go by slowly so I can enjoy the free time.
Our flight is boarding, time to head to sunny, warm, Indiana!

spring break

ITS SPRING BREAK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! enough said.

its a beauiful day in the neighborhood

Its 7:13, its still sunny out and it warmed up today! It is amazing what beautiful weather does to an attitude. Now I can see why all those celebrity's live in Cali where its warm and sunny most of the time. No wonder they look so good! ha You have no idea what this sunlight does to a photographer either. It makes me want to just be outside and photograph anything my camera see's. The lighting is just beautiful...ok enough camera talk.
 I currently have a to-do list looking me in the face but its almost spring break and I have NO motivation to do it!! I just finished my NCAA bracket and I must say I am not 100% confident in it- I keep telling myself that might be a good sign because when I am confident I usually end up in pretty bad shape.

 One last thing before I get to my to-do list is that today is it is....our niece MORGANS BIRTHDAY!!!! It is crazy that she turned 5 day. The first time I met Mandy she was 8 month pregnant with miss Morgan- I had no idea that 5 years later I would be one lucky Aunt Erin to the cutest little girl ever. Happy Birthday Miss Morgan, Uncle Nathan and I love you very much!!

we just love her!!!

a run

Today I took a run outside with Hoss and it was just what I needed. After a very long day a work, a teachers meeting, and track practice we got home in time for me to get a run in. Nathan and I usually run together but today I needed some Erin(and Hoss!) time. It was so nice being outside, hearing the birds chirping, the water running(we have had LOTS of rain) and the feet hitting the pavement- it really is one of my favorite things. As I posted a week or so ago, I have been going through some tough things lately, but a running seems to take away all of the worries and stresses for the thirty minutes that I am out there. I was so thankful that I went!!
 Today on my run, I thought about Lent starting today and the amazing sacrifice God made for us. I did some thinking about what I was going to do for Lent this year, instead of 'giving something up' I am going to add thankful reflection time into my day. I am going to do 40 days of Thanks. I can't wait to show it to you when I am finished. With all that has been going on I often times forget to reflect on all of the wonderful blessings that surround Nathan and I. 
 After my run, Nathan grilled steaks(yummm) and mom fixed veggies(delicious) and we enjoyed a nice peacefull at home dinner. Now its time to enjoy some American Idol- I probably wont make it too long but I can at least try. night all

happy house

Well our house has been a happy house today...GAVIN IS HOME!!! He had a successful eye surgery this morning and is home for the next 36 hours. Nathan is smitten(and so is Gavin). I think Nathan is just thankful that he is not outnumbered today. Gavin just adds lots of comic and laughter to the house. It was just what the dr. ordered for everyone I think!
 Nathan and I got home from track practice. side note: Nathan and I are coaching track together and I think it is a REALLY good lesson for both of us. It is teaching me that its ok to be a little hard on them and its teaching him that sometimes you have to ease off or they might just quit on you. Today while I was talking to two of the girls, he took the others off(4 to be exact..yes its a VERY small track team) and decided to make them run more. Once I realized what was going on I asked him how many they had ran and he said 'I have no idea, I lost count.' followed by a cute smile. I look over at the girls and they are ready to fall over!! Poor things. I promised them that it would be their last one as long as they worked hard- Nathan agreed but he wasn't a huge fan! I am certain it will be a fun season having him around to 'help'.
 Tonight I came home and went for a run that kicked my but! I have decided that I am on a March Madness kick-Erin style. I am going to work my but off for the next month to get as healthy as I can, I think it will be good for my mind and body.
 We are now settling in for a movie. I am not really sure how long I will last but at least I will get some quality time between Gavin and Nathan on the couch. :) I am one lucky girl!! :)