Family books

Earlier this week, we were surprised to learn that five eagerly awaited boxes from France arrived and were waiting for pick up at the post office. My husband dashed out the door to pick up the boxes and was back home surprisingly fast.

Knowing the boxes were filled with old family books, we carefully opened them, one by one, 

Jean_H_de_Buren_Family_Books_5642

making sure each book was removed gently.

Jean_H_de_Buren_Family_Books_5653

We took time to admire the textures, patterns,

Jean_H_de_Buren_Family_Books_5664vibrant colors,

jean_H_de_Buren_Family_Books_5673to read the inscriptions,

Jean_H_de_Buren_Family_Books_5747and to explore their pages.

Jean_H_de_Buren_Family_Books_5645All of the books were written in French, and the girls were curious to know more about the contents of each book. Thankfully, my husband reads and speaks French, so he was able to elaborate.

Jean_H_de_Buren_Family_Books_5660

After the books were all unpacked and the girls went off to play, I remained close by with my camera. In the quiet, I watched my husband explore the books,

Jean_H_de_Buren_Family_Books_5754

often smiling as he read more of the inscriptions. I imagined him establishing a deeper connection to some of his relatives from generations past.

Jean_H_de_Buren_Family_Books_5758We are so fortunate to have such rich family history to pass down through our family.

Jean_H_de_Buren_Family_Books_5726

Fall morning silhouette

On this morning, as I set my camera to take a photo of the light streaming in through our back windows, our daughter walked up and waited for me to finish. She was just outside of the frame of the photo and I asked her to take a few steps forward and stand in the sunlight. While waiting for me, she looked down at the little pumpkin in her hands and I captured this image.

Jean_H_de_Buren_fall_morning_light_1431-BW