newborn: baby jackson

I walked around the corner into their living room where I saw him. Him who had ten tiny fingers and ten tiny toes. Him who was swaddled up and made me stop in my tracks. Because at that moment, I fell in love. So in love, it took 20 minutes of holding Jackson time and cooing and gooing at him with Bryan to finally give him back to Jordan and Annie and start taking my camera out. Maybe it is because he is my cousin. Or maybe it is the fact that he was the most talkative newborn I have ever met. Or that his baby feet made me want to squeeze and smooch his cute little self. But, I fell head-over-heels in love with Baby Jackson. Head-over-heels in love, Internet.

Without further ado...

Baby Jackson's ADORABLE jungle-themed room.



Streeetttcccchhhhhh.



Look at that cute, cute little face!



My ABSOLUTE favorite! Inspired by his daddy. Check out those cute "Rock n' Roll" socks.



Jordan and Annie made mention of how much he loves cozy places. We never heard a peep out of him when he was in the guitar case of all places.



So sweet...



Love.



Be still my heart. My #1 weakness.



Aren't they just the CUTEST family?!



Jackson, we love you!

oh happy friday no. 070811

It's Friday. And, it is sunny and hot. But, not humid, Midwest, your-clothes-stick-to-you kind of hot. Just another pretty, summer day. And, what am I doing you might ask. Sitting on my couch resting. And praying that this new found nausea and headache disappears quickly. Because I have a sweet little weekend planned full of photographing, shopping with some of my best gals, baby playing with my favorite little guy, board gaming, wining & dining, date dayin' with my main squeeze, volunteering and reading a new book, Gluten Free Girl. Go figure the first free Friday I have where we are not traveling out of town, and I wind up feeling sick. However, I am a firm believer that fun, bright pictures that inspire me will kick these not so nice enemies of mine, nausea and headache, to the curb. Enjoy a little sunny inspiration from my computer to yours!

Happy Weekending!



Office Swoon I Ice-cream Goodness I Afternoon Tea I 1960s Fashion

kids: baby blake (6 months)

I'm not quite sure when it happened. But, somewhere between 5 and 6 months, this little man grew. Grew in every way possible. He is taller. He is on the brinks of becoming mobile. As in the army crawl is in full effect and we got to see in person a few sneaks of actual crawls. He speaks baby talk. And, sometimes has intense conversations with Uncle B. He is very alert and is aware of what is going on with everyone. He entertains himself so easily and will laugh at the drop of a hat on the most random happenings. The kind of laughter that makes your heart melt. He looks just like his daddy. He loves to play. He has baby teeth. And, during the time I spent with him, I turned to Kari and made mention that I wish he would stop growing. Because Internet, I could watch him all day with his sweet smiles, his adorable laughs and his makes-me-want-to-smooch-him-all-over cheeks.

Little man and his ever so sweet smile that turns me in a puddle of goopy love!



He was digging the texture of the grass!





Love this...he looks like he is sailing in an ocean of grass.





Love love love love this little guy so much!





He was digging Bryan's hat and looked like quite the stud!

thanking my lucky stars...

We were on our way back to Kansas City. The Zac Brown Band was playing in the background. Bryan was singing and filling our car ride with country music goodness. And, while I was holding his hand and smiling at my sweet hubby, my mind replayed the wonderful visit we had at home. The kind of visit that makes my heart feel full.

I thought about my mum’s laughter and smiles as we shared stories. My dad’s hugs and listening to his dreams of traveling. Mama Roundtree’s kisses. Holding two little munchkins as they were welcomed into this world last month and being Aunt Shefy and Uncle B to them. Gluten-free treats. The beautiful, summer weather. BBQs and family time. Firework shows in the country. Smooching on the little love in my life. Mango salsa. Sister time with my three sissy-in-laws. Meeting boyfriends who are the sweetest. Late night cocktails with good girlfriends and re-telling our crazy college stories. Baby shower fun and seeing our mama-to-be glow. Reading. Eating so much food and doing the penguin walk afterwards. Afternoon naps, cuddles with sweet hubby and watching movies. Looking at stars on a clear, open sky. Hearing Savannah say mommy and daddy. Watching sweet hubby light up old as he set off fireworks. Counting my blessings and thanking my lucky stars. For this said life.


(A little peek at the baby shower from this weekend.)

wedding: mark+amy

Joy and love. Two powerful emotions and two very powerful words I would use to describe an incredibly special day for an incredibly special couple, Mark and Amy. And, wherever you looked, both joy and love were present. Together. Joy was all over the bridesmaids faces as they told their crazy, fun stories of their childhood and shared laughter and tears of how their mums met in yoga class. Love was there as tears were spilled while their one and only Amy put on her wedding dress and had a daddy-daughter moment. I would be lying if I said joy and love weren’t present the moment they saw one another for their First Look when I thought Mark became a puddle of love for his bride-to-be. As in his eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. Love was clearly said in an unspeakable kind of a way as the bridesmaids held hands and prayed for their best friend to be blessed for a long and happy marriage. And, as they vowed to be together forever until their last breath, joy and love sprinkled down like confetti. But, it was most evident when they held on to one another in a circle of their families and closest friends sharing a moment of “we’re married and together forever…as husband and wife, best friends and Mr. and Mrs.”

Mark and Amy, I don’t know how to say how we feel other than we love you guys! We love your friends and the fact that they were not afraid to show us their fun side, and we love your families who made us feel right at home. We hope the both of you love these photos as much as we do, and thank you so much for giving us the distinct pleasure of photographing your beautiful wedding and the two of you. We want to wish the both of you a lifetime of happiness. A lifetime of love. And, a lifetime of joy.

Happy Honeymoonin'! And, hope you are loving every second of being newlyweds!



Details details details...







While Amy was getting ready, Mark was calm and ready to say "i do" to his bride!



Their first look was perfection...



And then it was ceremony time!





Love everything about this photo!



So darn fun!



Stuuuddd muffins!



It's Photobooth time and these gals did NOT disappoint. Not one bit!



Some more fun details...



These gals are just ridiculously GORGEOUS!



Some favorites...



A peaceful moment.



Mark and all of his handsomeness mixed with Amy and all of her beautifulness makes this photo what it is!



Please make this a canvas, mkay!



The ring bearer was such a doll!









First dance...



Amy's dad is an AMAZING dancer!



So sweet.



The night ended in a LOT of dancing and fun!