Holiday Recap...

Well... well... well...

We are still alive... BARELY, but we are at least still breathing.

Last week, Todd and I ventured down to Indiana to visit my family and boy was it fun. We had lots of laughs, jokes, Christmas songs, lights, snow, cold weather, and all and all a great time. It was fun to see the little Miss Izzy get up on Christmas morning to see that "Santa" arrived and brought her lots of TOYS. It was actually quite funny seeing how overwhelmed she was with all of the cool stuff she got and wanted to play with it all, all at once. I think some of her dolls got baked in her play kitchen. Hilarious!

Later on Christmas, we headed back to Michigan to hang out with Todd's family and their friends for their annual Christmas Party, and then Sunday morning we headed over to his parent's house for Christmas with them... little did we know we both we be having a visitor from a guest that we were not expecting. Sure enough... the flu bug came a bit later in the day and is still here. I'm not sure I've ever even had the flu before, but this is the WORST feeling EVER! Hopefully it goes away soon so that we both can be normal again. I mean I haven't even left the house since Sunday, I'm getting winded walking up and down the stairs, and when I think about normal food I get nauseous... It's terrible! We've been living off of crackers, jello, pudding, applesauce, and soup. LOVELY! I guess this is our way of not gaining the holiday weight, huh? Let's hope it leaves us soon... I'm getting cabin fever and there's only so much TV you can actually watch before you start to get bed sores. Haha!

We hope everyone had a Happy Holiday and a much better one than we are having as we speak!!!

Gotta love Christmas lights... even the tacky ones...



We ventured over to Todd's aunt's in Indiana who is building such a beautiful home... we can't wait to visit when it's finished!





We had lots of time with little Miss Izzy B... She's such a fun little girl now...



She adored Maddox...

Mike & Angela :: Engagements

I love a good reunion...

I love seeing someone I haven't seen in a few years and catching up... Reminiscing of old times and stories... It brings a huge smile to my face.

One of those "people" was just recently when I was contacted by a fellow coworker, Angela, that I used to work at the gym with. She and I had lots of fun times together. A few years back she was dating a guy named Mike, who she knew was "the one", turns out she was right and he popped the question not too long after I left there. After getting engaged, they got married in a small intimate ceremony, just the two of them, but are having another ceremony and big reception next year. I'm so excited for their big day because I had so much fun with their engagements and the fact that Mike and Angela are so stinkin' cute in front of the camera. We had a blast together! We had some amazing weather, and I'm talking weather you don't get often. We not only had a beautiful fall day, but a double rainbow grace our presence, minus the rain. Holler! What are the odds of that happening? I'm not sure but they are one lucky couple!

Congratulations you two.... We are so happy and excited for you guys!

Here are a few of my favorites.... There were so many, I had a hard time narrowing down!

Such naturals in front of the camera... such a sweet couple...





Love these two... adorable!!!





Rarrr...



The infamous rainbow... how memorable...



LOVE this one...



I'm thinking this is my cue... we are done! HAHA!

It's a Wrap...

It's a wrap...

2010 is coming to a close and this past Saturday was our very last wedding for the year. What a bittersweet moment!

I know that both Todd and I had such a great year with all of our clients and we enjoyed every minute of it... but I'm not going to lie, it's going to be pretty nice to have a few months off to just catch up, relax, and prepare for the next string of weddings, along with the next remodel project on the list... SYKE! Considering we are still doing the finishing touches with decorations, etc... I think I can do without a project for a REALLY, REALLY, REALLY long time. For now, I will just enjoy our home the way it is and enjoy the time off.

What a way to celebrate the closing of a season then to have the holidays be right around the corner, along with a fun photo to share...



(Love you honey!!!)

Happy Monday!!!

Mike & Karen :: Wedding

I know... I know... my new nickname can be M.I.A.

I'm terrible! I'm having a hard time sitting down. This holiday season is catching up to me like I'm in a scary movie and it's dark out and I'm being chased in the deserted woods. Plus I have a husband who thinks I can run errands all day long... then he wonders where my day goes. Grr... whatever!

Anyways... I'm going to do my best to finish this year off right and get all my last sessions done and on here by the end of the year. We'll see if that happens considering we'll be out of town some for the holidays, but like I said, I'll do my best... starting with the beautiful Mike & Karen, two of my favorites.

I walked in to meet Karen for the first time, being as she lives in Chicago, and we totally clicked. It was as if I've known her for years and we were just catching up. Plus, we love our dogs and talk about them often, so that's a true bond there, plus she chose to make her favors donations to her pups favorite animal shelter, which I thought was so nice and I know all animal lovers would appreciate that so much. Love it!!!



But Mike and Karen were married at the St. John's Inn over in Plymouth, MI on one of the most beautiful fall days, and also the day Michigan played Michigan State... not a good day for my husband, the Michigan fan, but maybe it was good he was helping me and not seeing them get beat down. I love that their bridal party weren't occupied with that and were there supporting their good friends... you guys were awesome!

During their photos, they actually told me they have terrible luck when it comes to weather. It usually rains in places that don't usually rain when they visit, but I'm pretty sure that streak has changed, considering how beautiful the weather was on their wedding day. I'm pretty sure Mike and Karen made it even more stunning with their excitement and love for each other. They are two of the most loving, sweet, caring people I have ever met and both of them are ones I'm going to remember forever.

Congratulations you guys.... we had so much fun with you both and wish you lived closer!!! ;)

Check out some of my favorites and a slideshow with more of their day...

DJ: The Sprague Brothers (Extremely Good- Email me for their contact info)
Cake: Lakes Cakes
Flowers: One Enchanted Evening

Is she not the most radiant bride?



Her girls were stunning... and so fun!



Stud right there...



Such gentlemen...



I'm not sure why, but this one is one of my favorites... not wanting to let go...



And of course, the processional... always my favorites!!!!



What a great group they had supporting them...



Could they be any cuter together...



Adorable...



I love this one...



And this one... one of my many favorites from their day...



Check out a slideshow with more from their day...

Greg & Charis :: Engagements

Sisterly Love...

I love my sister and when it comes to girl's chit chatting, my sister is the first person I call. We tend to call each other often, a lot more than most sisters do, but being 400 miles away from each other, it's a lot easier

Speaking of sisterly love, I'm super excited to be shooting a sister of a fellow bride of mine. Charis is the sister of fellow the Talitha & Josh duo and I'm even more excited that it is the same time of year. What a tradition! Maybe another sister next year as well? You girls work on that and get back to me... haha!

But Greg and Charis are two of the sweetest, cutest, fun loving, adorable couples out there. They have so much fun together... love to laugh... I mean LOVE to laugh... and are so sooo soooo in love! I had such an great time at their engagement session over at Greenfield Village, what a perfect place for this session. Getting to know them was so fun, it makes me so eager about next weekend for their special day!

Congrads you guys... I will see you in just a few short days!!!

Here are a few of my favorites... although there was so many I had a hard time with this post...

What a gorgeous couple...



I LOVE that they have so much fun together...



What a moment...



Little bus stop action here... they are catching the LOVVVVEEEE train... haha!



I'm in love with this carousel... they were adorable riding it...



What a great spot... but this could have been a disaster if they fell in... thanks for agreeing to this despite the rope we had to climb over... there's my rebel side coming through, just for a photo! But sooo worth it!





That is a HUGE windmill, don't ya think???



Love those old carney booths...

My Ticker Starts Over...

Welp... I'm totally dragging it today.

I think I'm suffering from what doctors like to call, Birthdox-Hangtovitious, or as I like to call it "Birthday Hangover." It does not involve alcohol, considering I don't drink, but rather the eyes and ears seeing and hearing the phrase "Happy Birthday!" all in one day has caused extreme depression today. I was so happy yesterday, I got to do all my favorite things... workout, play at the dog park with Maddox, be spoiled by my husband, hang out with my great friends, eat cheese-less pizza, be mistaken for a 22 year old while someone trying to hook me up with their son (Don't worry, I informed the guy both of my age and my marital status)... BEST birthday ever!!! Haha!

But today is just another day... one that starts the counting ALL over again, and another year before I get to hear that phrase said to me. It's a bit surreal... I don't FEEL older, I don't REALLY look older, considering the story above and the fact that every time I go to the doctors during the day he asks if I need a note for school, haha! So basically it's just another day... but I think I'm ok with it!

I love that I don't feel or look older, I love that on one day people remember me and remind me how happy they are that I was born. It sure makes you feel special... Thank you to everyone who made it special including this guy...



Thanks again... I feel so blessed and LOVED so much! It's great to be alive!