Izzy B...

You know when you're young and you got picked on by one of your siblings? Been terrorized by one? Picked on? Made fun of? You get my point... I had one of those.

Well years later that sibling becomes one really supportive, sweet, caring, genuine, heartfelt, warm, loving, best friend. Yes, my sister and I are closer than we ever were when we shared the same room. She is my best friend and I love her more than words can describe.

I look at her little family now and my heart melts because I know she's doing an amazing job raising such a sweet and super funny little girl. I'm not even kidding, this little girl is going to be hilarious, and it doesn't suprise me being raised by two extremely fun parents. She's already playing possom when it's time for bed, or mocking my brother-in-law, or waking up saying "uh-oh". She's not only showing her personality, but is sooo loving, giving hugs and kisses all the time. I love it and I love her so much!

Check her out as she growing so fast!!!

Such a sweet little girl she is becoming...



Look at that smile... or I should say laugh!



HIL-ARIOUS!



My Favorite ever... look at that silly face, she has so much personality!



Did I say she won't sit still for too long? Well she won't!

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone...

I hope you were able to spend your time with friends and family and even got a few pieces of turkey to add to it.

After looking at this photo, I kind of felt pretty bad by eating some, anyone else? Ha!

ONE!

Warning: Just note that this gets a little gooshy!

Happy Anniversary to my one and only!

I have loved you for five years now, and each year that passes I feel more love than the first day we met. For those of you who don't know "our" story, what a great time to tell it on this memorial day!

I met Todd my Junior year in college, he was a Sophomore, (Yes yes, I'm the older one... Ha!) while there was a pretty bad storm coming through our school. Everyone was outside checking it out, some even wanted to chase it down, but as I was out scoping it out I noticed him and some of his friends were checking out the storm through the window of their dorm. I knew a couple of his friends, and being the rebel I am, I broke the "boys-only-in-the-dorm" rule, and went up to where they were to check join in on watching the storm.

Fast forward a year, it's my senior year/his junior year. It's preseason soccer for me, new student orientation leadership for him, him and his friends were having a get together at his apartment and I came by with some of my friends, him and I ended up talking for quite a few hours and our friendship, literally, blossomed from that moment. My roommate and I would run after practice and a few others would join us, one of those people included him. We ended up always being the ones to run next to each other and talking about anything and everything. A few months of hanging out... he decided to take me to Michigan to see the sites of Detroit. It was a pretty interesting trip... and from then on, we continued bonding and enjoying each others company, and although there was never a question or statement of "Will you go out with me? Circle 'yes' or 'no'," (Ha!) we both knew how we were feeling for each other and our relationship grew even more.

Fast forward another 6 months to my graduation, Todd offered to have me move in with his family since I wanted to get a fresh place to start my own photography business. Everything fell into place perfectly! The summer was awesome, I got to get to know not only him a bit more, but also his family who I had only met just a few times. We made it through that long year of him being at school, me being here starting my indepence and then on June 13 2006, Todd proposed! It was ONE of the best days of my life. After the 5 1/2 months of our engagement, we tied the knot... November 25, 2006. A beautiful and flawless day of November! Absolutely PERFECT!

I am so thankful for my husband, Todd! I honestly do not know or even want to know what life would be like without him. He builds me up each day, teaches me new things, amazes me by his knowledge, he makes me laugh like no one else can, he has a heart so big it would probably stretch all the way around the world, his love for me is so warm and feels so unconditional, and he is someone I can always count on and trust completely. I have no doubts when I am with him, and know that our life together is so beautiful! I wouldn't change one thing and am so grateful I have been able to share all this time I've had with him!

Mwaaaa... I love you and am so thankful for you!

#2 and Steve & Katie :: Engagements

So I can't believe Thanksgiving is just 2 days away...

I have been in Indiana for the last couple days and have realized how blessed I am to have such a great family, I'm talking both by blood and by marrying into a whole other family. I hear a lot of horror stories about families and in-laws, and I am SOOOO glad I'm not one of those people. I have a great family filled with lots of love and friendship, and when I married Todd I got even more of that love and friendship with his side! It's so great and that's why my number two is being thankful for such a wonderful family on both sides! I love all of them so much, and am so grateful for them all! Big Hugs & Kisses to your way! Mwwaaa...

Onto the real stars of this post, not that my family isn't stars...

But I traveled over to the Windy City for this shoot, which was awesome! Steve and Katie are such a sweet and loving couple that spending time with them was like I had known them for years. We had lots of fun traveling around Chicago, (Ok, that part was a lie, it can be quite frustrating to travel around Chicago with traffic and parking). But other than that... we had a great time... I love Chicago so it was great to be able to do some photos there in the heart of the city and get to know Steve and Katie so much better. I'm so excited for the wedding next year, as I'm sure it's going to be a beautiful wedding with such a beautiful and fun couple!

Thanks guys for the great session... note to self, on the day of the wedding bring snacks for Steve... ha! :) Enjoy!


The cute couple being cute!



It's common to have trains come by... and almost the minute we got down there... look what went by!



Love it... (right behind them is Soldier Field, where the Chicago Bears play)





Smile Steve...



How sweet he is to Katie...



And he'll do anything to make her smile!



So in love...



I love how the buildings in the city are so tall... it adds some great background for sure!



Mmm...



What a beautiful day it was...



They look amazing together...



And LOVE to laugh... these next two are my favorites...







Mmm... another favorite...



Magnificent Mile... so cool!



What a place... just a hidden gem in Chicago





Awww...

NUMBER THREE!

I love lots of things about my life... I'm a pretty lovable person as it is, but one of those 'things' that I absolutely love more than anything has been my new-found love for my yoga practice. I've dabbled into yoga a little over the years, and have always enjoyed the part after my workout when I can just stretch out those hard worked muscles. I always thought yoga was not a workout... little did I know the benefits of yoga. It has become part of my daily routine and has become something that I am so thankful I chose to make it a part of my life. The benefits both physically and mentally are so positive that I'm not sure what I was missing all those years!

Namaste!

Five & Four...

I have to say that there are many perks about working for yourself. The flexible schedule, never getting yelled at by someone else, working in whatever suits you best that day, just to name a few... but I have to add that there are some negative things as well, working by yourself, getting cabin fever, having a lot more energy than your husband when he gets off work. I know there are sacrifices and advantages on both ends, but I have to say I'm especially thankful for that flexible schedule of mine this year. I have been able to visit my family and friends down in Indiana, which is great considering we have to miss both holidays this year due to weddings over their weekends. But having that flexible schedule has made it okay. We still make it work and I guess it's not really the "day" that matters, it's the time you do spend with them.

For all those weekends and holiday's we weren't and aren't able to come visit, I have to say I'm so thankful for the invention of skype. For those of you who don't know about it, check it out, it's awesome! It has helped me keep in touch with family and friends and see my niece, so she doesn't forget who I am. It has been a wonderful thing this year, and helped me actually get out of my PJ's at work since it's a visual phone call. Haha! I love it!

This weekend Todd and I visited my family down in Indiana for an early Thanksgiving, and I'm staying a few extra days since he's got a couple really busy days ahead of him this week. These are the days I'm super thankful for that flexible schedule and Thursday I will be glad for skype to at least see them on the actual holiday!

My # 6 & Little Miss Mya :: 6 months

Usually when I go to sleep at night, I dream. I'm one of those people who has really interesting dreams and sometimes REALLY detailed dreams. I even hold conversations with people, not knowing what I'm talking about or talked about the next morning. Todd has mentioned that one to me before, how embarrassing! I even have woke up doing things, like throwing pillows. Weird I know! But I do dream... A LOT! I not only dream at night, but I have many other dreams of my life and things I want to accomplish in my life. I dream in and out of sleep A LOT!

A couple years back I saw my first lighthouse in person. Being from Indiana, we never were near them and never went on vacation anywhere near them. After seeing one for the first time, I was in awe and fell completely in love with them. I wanted to see more and document them. Their structures and colors are all so different and unique, kind of like us as people, so different & unique, yet so beautiful our own way. There was one lighthouse in particular that I fell more in love with, and felt that I related to this one more than any other lighthouse. It was bright in color, red & white, stripes reminding me of a candy cane, the only one of its kind, out in the middle of Lake Michigan, only able to get to by boat. How in the world was I ever going to be able to see this one? The one I truly wanted to see and capture the beauty of this one in particular. Well... dreams do come true and I'm so THANKFUL for dreaming BIG!

This is Lolly on the most beautiful day of summer! (Yes, I nicknamed her Lolly. Lolly is short for Lolly Pop- it fits since she looks like candy! Ha!)





Mya is one of those beautiful unique individuals. She's at such a fun age, yet has so much personality. Her mom mentioned that she had a temper, and I was thinking, "How is that possible at six months?" But little did I know she was going to throw a temper when I got out the camera. Ha! She got all sad and pouty and even threw a little temper tantrum. They are going to have their hands full when she's a teen. Yikes! Good luck with her then you two! But she has the most beautiful blue eyes, and the cutest chubbiest cheeks. I love her!

Congratulations Danny & Jamie... you both are such wonderful parents! I know she's going to grow into more of a beautiful!

Blue eyed beauty!



She was totally in a zone...



So stinkin' cute!





Now she peaks a smile...



Ok... so her mom made this tutu, which was adorable, but I'm not sure she was a fan of it at first... (the next couple photos prove that she's pretty uncomfortable!)







Aggghhh... I LOVE IT!



Haha!



What a beautiful baby... those eyes are incredible!

I Love My #7...

I was told by my parents that ever since I was little, I was good at seeing things differently. My dad told me the story of when him and my grandpa were trying to get a chair into the trunk of their car, I sat close by watching them, as they struggled to find the exact position it needed to be in to fit. After a while and time went by, I mentioned moving the chair a certain direction. Low and behold it was the key to fitting that chair in the trunk. I am amazed to hear that, knowing that I might have always been destined to do something like photography. Seeing life differently and creating my own combination to make things "fit" perfectly.

I am so thankful to be given the gift of seeing those things differently and using the gifts with photographs to share the world (or at least the Michigan and surrounding states). To have a career in which I absolutely, without a doubt love with unconditional, deep intense love, is a blessing beyond belief, considering there are many people out there that are so unhappy with what they are doing. I thank God EVERY day that he has allowed me to be able to capture what he created and show everyone just how beautiful it is... it is plain and simple a dream come true! I love my number seven!

#8 and David & Kelly :: Wedding

If you haven't noticed, I talk a lot about being cold. Ha! The thought of it makes me want to turn on my spare heater right underneath my desk as I type this. Ok, so it's already on, but if it wasn't I would totally turn it on because being warm makes me feel soothed, peaceful, heavenly, and just so pleasant inside and out. This year hasn't exactly been known for it's warm months, now has it? Forget global warming, we are turning into a huge iceberg, which has brought me to my #8. I am o-so-thankful for all those WARM bowls of oats I have had this year. Those oats have not only kept me warm, but also kept me super healthy. I love a good bowl topped with cinnomon & apples, or some yummy creamy almond butter, or baked oatmeal with blueberries, oh my goodness my mouth is watering right now. Just let me know if you need an oatmeal suggestion... you can just call me the Oat Queen! Mmmm...




So speaking of cold, who would have thought that the middle of October would be COLD? I never thought that, but I also didn't think that we would have record low temperatures in July, right? It just so happened that one of those cold days of October was the day of one of the most beautiful weddings.

David & Kelly also never thought that the full year of planning for their October wedding they would need coats and hats for their day. But that didn't stop any of the fun and even added a little spunk to the photos! I have to say that I seriously LOVE this couple. When we first met, it just so happened that after talking a few minutes we realized that Kelly worked at the same company as Todd. Then a few short months after realizing that, they were placed on the same team together. What a small world!!! They were able to get to know each other better and at the wedding, we were like friends just hanging out. I love it!

David and Kelly met up that day exactly where their engagement started... the gazebo he proposed just right down the road from Kelly's house. I thought that was the sweetest moment! Both of them were so excited and so into each other, it reminded me of the movie Forces of Nature at the end where Ben is talking with his finance, Bridget, and there is a huge hurricane going on all around them, but they were in their own tunnel-like coversation, looking in each others eyes and not noticing anything around them. Todd and I were shooting right around them, Jamie from Jamie Honce Productions was all surrounding them, and their bridal party was all around them, but they didn't care one bit, so sweet! After getting some awesome shots over at Heritage Park, where we did their engagement session, we headed to the church. They were married at Kelly's parents church, Price of Peace in Farmington Hills, which was super sweet. I know it meant a lot to have their ceremony there, which just goes to show what kind of people David & Kelly are. Now you know why I love this couple... fun, sweet, thoughtful, all around people I can't wait to hang out with soon!

Congratulations you guys... we are so happy for you and wish you nothing but the best!!!!


Here are some of my favorites and a slideshow with more of their day!

Ok so to start off the day, Kelly's dad came down wearing this... ha! I knew it was going to be a fun day...



Kelly looked amazing...



How could you not love this one... (sorry Kelly, I had to! I'm such a mooosh when it comes to dogs!)



Their first look so sweet!





Absolutely stunning!!!!



David was pretty handsome as well, but honestly how can you compete with Kelly...



One of my favorites of the day... hilarious!



I always love a good ol' kiss while walking... mmm...!!!



They have so much fun together!




Check out more photos of their wedding...