July flew by! The month was filled with baby snuggles, Fourth of July festivities, needlepoint (I’m obsessed!), World Cup watch parties, trips to the pool, Theo’s first visit to Turkey Hill, and Grant’s last day of daycare. At the end of the month the Chicago Smiths visited KC, and three weeks of true Summer break home with both boys began! While exhausting, it was so much fun watching Grant play at the Fairway Play Gym, visit Crown Center with Sophie & Winston and Sydney & Diego, and we took a trip to Wonderscope! We also celebrated my Dad’s birthday where Grant and Winston graced us with a harmonica performance. Sophie & Alex also moved right at the end of this whirlwind month. I’m looking forward to all August will bring as we wrap up the sweetest summer with Baby Theo!
Make A Wish Lettering
And another fun use of my birthday “make a wish” lettering on this gift bag! Perfect to have on hand for any upcoming birthdays, I bright, graphic design.
© Hallmark Licensing, LLC
Fourth of July 2026
Because we were in France last summer, this was our first Fourth of July in our new house and it was also Theo’s first Fourth! Our neighborhood hosts the sweetest parade – complete with a small band leading the way. It ended up being a somewhat rainy morning, but we had the best time strolling the neighborhood, had a wonderful lunch with Grammy and Pop at our house, and then headed to the Hanlin’s for an afternoon topped off with backyard sparklers.
Paris is Always a Good Idea Lettering
One of the best parts of my job is I never know what opportunities will head my way – and I was trilled to be asked to create the title lettering for the new Hallmark+ limited series “Paris is Always a Good Idea.” Starring Lacey Chabert, I loved updating the original book cover lettering in my own hand and adding a Lacey spin to it with her signature heart. I can’t wait to watch, it premieres July 30th!
Career-driven nonprofit executive Chelsea Martin (Chabert) travels to Paris with her confident rival-turned-ally, Jason Knightly (Foster) to secure a major donation but a heartfelt message from her late mother – and a loving push from her sister Annabelle (Hanssen) – sends her on an unexpected journey to reconnect with the three great loves she once left behind. From the rolling hills of Ireland to the magic of Paris and the sun-kissed vineyards of Spain, Chelsea retraces old footsteps and discovers that sometimes moving forward means first looking back. Starring Lacey Chabert, Scott Michael Foster, Rebecca Hanssen, Henry Czerny, Barbara Niven, Julien Samani and Alejandro Albarracín.
© Hallmark Licensing, LLC
Happy Birthday for Hallmark Signature
Hallmark Signature is truly my favorite line to shop, so I love seeing my “happy birthday” lettering on this sparkly card. I can’t wait to stock up on these!
© Hallmark Licensing, LLC
June Memories
I took a TON of photos in June and I’m totally not surprised that I couldn’t narrow down. There are just so many sweet, everyday memories I want to look back on from our first full month with Baby Theo home with us. It almost perfectly works out to a series of diptychs, see notes on our month below!
Grant & Theo enjoying downstairs playroom rainbows
Garage Sale impulse purchase
Baby Shark 1
Theo is our tiny buddy! Some 0-3 M clothes are still huge!
Look at Theo stare at big brother!
I love Theo’s expression here!
Last ever Designer Showhouse!
& Baby Shark at rest
Snuggles with EB
Post photo-shoot scowls.
All the men celebrating Father’s Day!
Summer Lunches 1
The littlest World Cup Fans
Theo’s first trip to KC Needlepoint
Matching golf shirts for Father’s Day
Bashful Theo
Novel Anniversary Dinner (11 years!)
Otto getting used to a new brother
Soccer Shirt Day Who Knows
Dale’s first Father’s Day to two little buddies!
Summer Lunches 2
And our households biggest soccer fan!
My first needlepoint project!
& many wears after
Smiley Theo
+ Theo
Beginning to go on walks!
Rumpus room snuggles
Soccer Shirt Dinner Prep
Cubby’s Birthday
GP & Theo
Zoo trip to FINALLY see the giraffes!
Soccer Shirt Family Walk
Here comes the fire truck!
Grant & Mom Make Muffins
Theo’s first trip to the zoo
Little Goo Goo Snuggles
+ EB
Little walks with Pop
Break from soccer for dinner
Kick kick for Theo
Pretzels for Al’s Birthday Dinner
Break from soccer for books
Soccer shirt (again) for Grant