DIXIELAND DELIGHT [Monica Brown, Pensacola Lifestyle Photographer]

My very favorite aspect of photography is how you can capture [emotion] in an image.

To you, this may be a very simple photo.

A dirt road.

But to me, this photograph brings childhood memories flooding to the surface.

Every time we head north to visit friends and family we pass by these gorgeous cotton fields, and I have always wanted to stop. So this time, I did.

Check out the farmhouse tucked behind the trees.

Most of you know that I was born and raised an Alabama girl. I absolutely LOVE L.O.V.E. everything about the South. My family is large. (I am the last of 19 grandchildren, just on one side.) We don't always all get along, or even get to see each other every year. But we all came from two very special people. In fact, Reagan's middle name - Claire - is derived from my Grandfather's name - Leonard Clarence.

I grew up on a county road in the middle of Alabama. All of my mom's family lived near us down the dirt roads. Looking at the first photo, I can just hear the sound of the road beneath the tires as we drove the short distance for visits. We passed cotton fields like these, as well as watermelon patches and fields of corn. I can just see the wash hanging on the outdoor clotheslines along the way...

If you haven't noticed, I am smitten by the natural beauty of a field.

You can see where we took family photos in a field off of Hwy 98 earlier this year. They are my favorite to date. It was just the 4 of us walking around. The only family shot we got was taken by the diaper bag.

There are so many things I love about the South.

Everyone waves, even if they don't know you.

Sitting on the front porch swing while drinking sweet tea is actually a hobby. I grew up with a swing on each end of our front porch. Anybody up for "who can swing the highest"?

Chirping crickets sing you to sleep on summer nights where it is cool enough to sleep with the windows open.

THE HUMIDITY. I actually do love it. Give me the sun and I will take the humidity that comes with it. After living in Washington state for 4 years, I don't care if you bake me to a crisp and then reduce me to a pile of sweat. Just don't take my sun away ever again.

Manners. Most everyone has them. Doors are held open for you. Sentences are finished with please, thank you and yes ma'am. And the handwritten, heart felt thank you note has not died...yet.

And most near and dear to my heart - Alabama Football. Yes, it is a religion down here. I pull for the Crimson Tide with every fiber of my being. I truly believe I can send my *vibes* into the universe and make good things happen. Go ahead. Laugh. But when I told Jake we really needed to concentrate on an interception, guess what happened the next play. I was really bummed when we lost last week. Like Greg McElroy, I was in a bit of a funk for a few days. In my defense, I did not get to watch the game, therefore I cannot be held responsible. I have since decided that I will not be leaving my house on Saturdays.

delightfully,

Monica

PURE LOVE [Monica Brown, Pensacola Newborn Photographer]

I am sitting here trying to find the words...

We have waited so long for you, sweet Hailey Grace.

My dear, you have the most [awesome] hair. Ever.

Savannah is going to be such a great big sister.

Right now she is just learning to talk, so Hailey is simply *ba-by*.

I really can't decide which is my favorite, but the one above is in the top 2.

She is soooo dainty. Her newborn clothes swallowed her.

Remember this dress?

What a beautiful family.

MY FAMILY.

Can you believe it Wendy? We both have two amazing children that God has blessed us with. And our Jakes :)

I love you more than I know how to say. You have always been there for me and I know I can call you anytime...although now it may take you longer to return the calls.

Enjoy your family. These baby days seem really long, but the weeks will seem short. Hailey will look different by the time I can order your prints and get them back to you. She is a miracle, as is Savannah.

Oh, I wish I lived closer! I can't wait to visit again!

All my love,

me

A GREAT DAY FOR A BIRTHDAY [Monica Brown, Pensacola Family Photographer]

Today my wonderful husband celebrates his 37th birthday...and silly me...I thought he was 35! My, how time flies when you're having fun. We were outside playing with the kids this afternoon and I snapped a few photos. (These are totally snapshots.)

The weather has cooled a bit, and it is nothing short of pleasant outside now. Doors and windows are wide open to let the breeze in. We are going to have a Low Country boil for dinner - Jake's great idea of course - and enjoy the outside this evening as well. I won't be posting photos of that as I will have messy hands :)

Have a great Tuesday!

delightfully,

Monica

JUST A REGULAR OL' DAY [Monica Brown, Pensacola Photographer]

So here we are. Just an afternoon during the week. I love normal days. Days that don't have anything special planned, but are so very special nonetheless.

Here are my kids - just being themselves.

Reagan with her massive cup of lemonade.

and that beautiful smile

Luke and his glasses.

He loves them. He wears them everywhere.

Such a "cool guy" with them propped on his forehead.

He was watching all of the motorcycles as they pulled up to Hub Stacey's.

yep. Just another day. But what a great one :)

delightfully,

Monica

HANDMADE WITH LOVE [Monica Brown, Pensacola Photographer]

Isn't this just darling?

We visited Jake's grandparents over the holiday weekend and his grandmother sent me home with this.

If you follow my blog, you have seen photos of my cousin Wendy and her growing family. Baby Hailey is due any day so when we were over Grandma took me back to her sewing room and showed me three of the loveliest crocheted dresses you have ever seen. One was pink and the other was yellow, but I could not take my eyes off of this one.

look at how perfect each and every stitch is

and the back

I will be taking Hailey's newborn photos soon, and rest assured she will make an appearance in this sweet dress.

I can't wait!

Thank you again, Grandma, for such a thoughtful gift :)

And just a side note: I took these images in the rocking chair that my mother rocked me in when I was a baby. My big sister very lovingly replaced the seat of the rocker before Reagan was born so that I could rock my daughter in this beautiful chair. Thanks Big Sissy.

delightfully,

Monica

MY BESTIES [Monica Brown, Pensacola Photographer]

ahhh. shoes.

how I love them.

These have been my very favorite red shoes for oh so long.

They can make or break an outfit...or my feet it turns out.

I wore these beauties to the Seville beer festival Friday night. I did not know it was to be held

Outside.

In the heat.

In the humidity.

And then I would have to walk almost 2 miles over the course of the night.

Ouch.

I was very thankful this morning that I could walk on the bottoms of my feet again with no pain.

And then I decided to treat myself.

I have been eyeing these Lovelies for a year now.

I have the exact same pair in black and absolutely love them.

They needed company in my closet :)

Aren't they so beautiful and shiny???

They are my new favorites.

And then when I arrived to pick up the kids at preschool, my friend Laura had these for me.

(She was there to witness the limping Friday night.)

How very thoughtful of you sweetie!!!!

I may be giving some of these as Christmas presents! What a wonderful invention!

Although I know that ANY shoe (other than running shoes) would have been just as painful that night, I think that in honor of my shiny new red shoes, I am GIVING AWAY my size 7 1/2 Steve Madden pumps.

If you want them, they're yours!

delightfully,

Monica

GROWING UP [Monica Brown, Pensacola Photographer]

I can't believe it. Today my baby turns 2!

We planned to watch the Blue Angels this morning, only to find out they didn't fly today. So instead we headed to see Daddy's airplane. It wasn't fast. It was parked. Even better! We got to climb in!

earplugs for safety!

Check it out. This one says U.S. Air Force! We have our own planes now :)

Jake's initial assignment was to fly this aircraft for the Navy, but now that the new AF squadrons have officially stood up, he is training AF students now.

We still LOVE all of our Navy friends and hang out with them all of the time.

This has been the best assignment.

Jake home every night. Close to family. And Sunshine!

Cool guy behind the stick

Now off to buy a cake (I don't have the 5 hours to bake a decorate another one!) and cooking STEAK tonight for dinner.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUKE!

I LOVE YOU!!!

delightfully,

Monica