Fun Times Friday

I think I might turn BLUE...

Yes, BLUE... I'm talking literally, that my skin just might turn to that shade that looks like a Smurf.

This Friday, we have had some FUN TIMES, even though I'm not really feeling FUN because of the lack of sleep I have gotten the last couple nights... A BIG Thank You to those Major Storms, for waiting until the middle of the night to come grace us with your loud booms and bright lights! Not a good mix, especially with a dog who is EXTREMELY scared of them.

But a friend and I went out to pick blueberries and I think I have a new record.... 8 lbs in an ONE hour. Oh yes! I could not believe it when all those plump, juicy, sweet balls of heaven added to such a sweet HUGE weight. I might have even gained a few pounds as we were out picking, but what's a few more to add to the mix. I mean it's all going to the same place right now, right? Ha!

Speaking of that "place", we are officially FULL TERM... so if this baby decides to come soon... I would be TOTALLY ok with it!

Happy FRIDAY!!!

Mmmm... don't they look so YUMMY????

Max :: 9 months

Look at what 6 months will do...

I've been seeing Max for the last 6 months and as he's grown and changed so much... and I as well... I say that because Max was one of the first baby sessions we did after finding out we were pregnant... talk about an eye opener!

Then I met up with him 3 months later for a 6 month session... what a change in those 3 months. I could NOT believe how much and quick babies change! It kind of makes me sad and our little guy is not even here! Oh how time flies...

But I recently met up with Max and his parents for his 9 month session and even more changes have taken place... He's getting so BIG and he is SOOOO stinking' ADORABLE! He is one of the most smiley babies I have ever known, and those blue eyes of his are a real charmer. Even despite the heat, he was a real trooper and his personality is really starting to shine, which is so sweet!

Happy 9 months Max... see you in a few more for your big ONE year!!!

Check out a few of my favorites...

Look at that SMILE!!!



He looks like he's up to something sneaky...



Haha...



His parents said he does this a lot... Ha!



LOVE this...



Hey Look... NO HANDS!!!



Adorable...



Love it when kids observe all their surroundings... especially the grass... what a new texture it is for them...

Fun Times Friday... Steve & Sara :: Engagements

Happy FRIDAY Everyone!

I'm pretty sure either I broke my back yesterday with all that laundry I did or else someone took a baseball bat to me in my sleep and managed to hit me in the best spot to make most things I do pretty pathetic. I probably look like an 80 year old woman with one hand on my back and one hand supporting myself on all things that can help support myself. Haha!

But it's FRIDAY and it's suppose to be fun, so why not spend the morning at the chiropractor? Got to LOVE that!!!!

Another thing today brings is Steve & Sara!

Two people that are an inspiration to us all, after being together for 11 years! Yes, you read that right... ELEVEN YEARS! That is true commitment there, especially at such a young age. I was in awe of them, and loved how comfortable they are together and in front of the camera. They are so sweet and so stinkin' cute together... it was as though they just started dating with their giddy laughs and their sweet looks to each other. You can tell how much they love each other... I mean they do have 11 years on their tally, so that has got to be a LOT of LOVE!

I'm so excited for their wedding next year... it should be such a fun and great celebration!!!!

Thanks for the fun session you two, even despite the 90+ degree heat... I had so much fun!!!

Check out a few of my favorites...

Adorable together...



He really LOVES her... and loves to make her smile...



LOVE her ring...



What a gorgeous spot...



She LOVES him too...



One of my absolute favorites...



Another FAVORITE...



Sweet moments... sweet spots..



Mmm...



So cute...

Thank you, Heat Wave 2011!

HEAT WAVE 2011!!!

That is exactly what I am calling this week...

As much as it stinks to be outside, unless you are sitting "in" a pool, which we don't have... well we have a kiddie pool for Maddox, but for one, he's scared of it so we don't have it set up and two, I'm not sure I would fit right now... haha!

But I have been taking advantage of this heat in some REALLY nice ways and I want to thank this wave of heat for what it is allowing me to do...

First off, I took Maddox for a nice long walk earlier this week and it turns out that the heat killed my phone. Seriously! It was so hot out, that my cell phone stopped working. I know that sounds like a REALLY bad thing, which at the time, it was and I was a little panicked for a few hours because I realized I would not be able to get ahold of anyone if I really needed to get ahold of anyone, but it ended up being a REALLY, REALLY good thing because my sweet & awesome husband bought me an iPhone! Yeah, I scored big time on that mishap! Thank you Heat Wave 2011!

Secondly, it has been SO hot outside that it is forcing myself to relax, which is REALLY hard for me to do, and I would say I'm not being very successful on the "relaxing part" because I told myself that I was going to chill out today, and I decided that since it was so hot out that my clothes could dry super fast if I washed them and dried them outside. It was a great idea... a superb idea... one that has allowed me to wash and dry almost all the stuff I have been meaning to wash for our little guy and his room, which Todd mentioned this week that if I were to have our baby soon, nothing would be ready. I think I just proved him wrong... Thank you Heat Wave 2011!

Last and not least, this heat is just a GREAT reminder that it's SUMMER and who doesn't love SUMMER? It's not cold, snowy, or nasty outside... I LOVE IT!!!

I hope you are enjoying this heat in whatever way you can...

(This is taken by new iPhone... HOLLER!!! )



Happy SUMMER!!!!

Baby Piper :: Newborn

Guess who's THREE years old now???



Happy Birthday to my niece, Izzy B! I love you more and more, especially now that you can say my name and use your mama's photo to call and leave me fun messages asking me to "Wake up!" Haha! XOXOXO! Let's just hope I stay "COOL" in her books because she's getting ready for Preschool, and I don't want her to be influenced by other kids who don't have aunts

But onto another super, cute little girl... well in this case a super, cute BABY girl... Baby Piper!

Isn't that the sweetest and cutest name you've ever heard?

Along with being the sweetest and cutest baby girl... Baby Piper is already forming to her name! I can't tell you how great she was for photos. She was so calm, so sweet, loved being on her tummy, and let's just face it, looked absolutely adorable in all her little outfits! Girls do have way more fun when it comes to clothes!

But taking her photos made me fall in love with our little guy more than ever because when I was contacted by her mom, I mentioned that we were due a few weeks after her and sure enough baby Piper is here, which only means one thing... our little guy is almost here! Yay!!! And after this weekend's birthing class... I just want to get this show on the road and get this little guy here safe and sound. The anticipation just might kill me! Haha!

But I had so much fun with Baby Piper... Congratulations to Mom & Dad... she is PRECIOUS!!!

Check out a few of my favorites...

Isn't she a cutie???



So peaceful sleeping...



Look at those little toes!!!!



She is definitely a sleeping beauty...



And a beauty when she is awake...



Her mom & dad nicknamed her "Buttercup" when they first found out they were pregnant and the name just stuck!



LOVE this one...



Adorable!!!



They LOVE her so much...

Fun Times Friday!!!

Today is a great day!

Not only are Todd and I going to see Harry Potter tonight... (Haha!)

But it is a GREAT day because today is the day that we celebrate our first born's birthday! We are not exactly sure when he was born, but it's usually around this mid-July time.

For anyone else who has dogs or animals for that matter, can relate to how much they change your life. You just grow a bigger heart and love them like they are real people.

I still remember the day we got him, one of the BEST days of our life, and how we originally went to go look at one of his siblings. We drove out to visit them at a foster home and his sibling did not want anything to do with us, but here is Maddox, named Mr. Fiesty at the time, thank goodness we changed his name, but here he is laying down attached to me already letting me just rub his little tiny black belly... looking at me with a face like this...



I told Todd that I wanted him, and we took him home and fell in love! He has truly been the BEST dog imaginable, even despite his quarks, who doesn't have their issues right... I mean thunder and lighting can be really scary, I agree! He even makes people who hates dogs, really love them! What a GOOD BOY he is!!!

It has been a wonderful three years with this guy... and I hope he stays with us for another 30 years... wouldn't that be so nice?!!! I really think he's starting to catch on that something is getting ready to happen because the last couple weeks he's been following me from room to room with those same puppy dog eyes we first saw him with. I feel terrible, but he will be the best big brother ever!

I love you buddy and you will always be my BEST friend, even if I do not give you as many belly rubs or as many hugs and kisses!



Happy 3rd Birthday and Happy Friday Everyone!!!

Brad & Ashley :: Wedding

Babymoon?

Someone recently asked Todd and I if we were going to be taking a "Babymoon". I laughed because it sounded so funny, but then my laugh probably turned awkward because I was thinking, "I honestly don't know what they are talking about. Is this a class I should be taking in order to prepare for a baby? Should I have enrolled in this class? Will they let me take my baby home if I have not taking it?"

I started to panic a little and then asked what exactly they meant. They explained how it was a trip before the baby came and I took a breath of relief because I had never heard of "babymoon" before and I was so clueless on those "baby" terms. I guess I didn't read that far in that "What to Expect" book we purchased when we first found out we were pregnant. Ha!

At the time, we did not have any trips planned, but we did have a few weddings that were out of town. Did that count? I mean I love my husband more than anything in this world, but I also love weddings, and why not combine the two to make this pregnant girl happy, right? I would think that would be a "Yes DEFINITELY, whatever she wants!" Haha!

As we just ended our 'mid-summer, before the baby comes, wedding season', we could not have ended it on a better couple.

Brad & Ashley are two of the most heart felt people with so much love for each other. They not only love each other SO much, but they love everyone around them and they let them know it too. They are so genuine and thoughtful that just being in their presence for a few moments, you feel so warm and loved... I LOVE that! They are absolutely beautiful and so beautiful together! I think that is why I took so many photos during their day... plus the fact that it was up in Petoskey, MI, which if you have ever been there, you know exactly how beautiful it is, and if you have not ever been there, you really need to book a trip there... it's GORGEOUS! Believe it or not, it was rainy a few days before all the way up until their wedding day and Saturday we woke up with blue skies and sunny! I'm thinking that was a sure sign this couple should be together!

Todd and I had SO MUCH FUN!!! We wish you guys NOTHING but the BEST!!! XOXO!

Check out some of our MANY favorites, but you definitely need to watch the slideshow with many more of their beautiful day...

Dress: Bridal Couture of Birmingham
Flowers: Magnolia's Fresh Flowers
Church: Parr Memorial Baptist Church
Reception Venue: Stafford's Perry Hotel
DJ: Sound Productions
Cake: Sweet Maria's
Trolley: Mackinac Old Time Trolley

Ashley was amazingly stunning... No wonder Brad had tears in his eyes when he saw her for the first time...





LOVED her girls... so fun and so beautiful... (P.S. Do you recognize one of those bridesmaids???)



Brad was also very handsome and in such great spirits for this big day...





His guys were so fun and creative...



They even were coming up with poses to do... SO FUN!



Love both of their reactions when first seeing one another... melts my heart!





The church they were married at was beautiful...



Adorable...



Instead of a unity candle, they braided a rope combining not only themselves together, but along with God in the center...



Can't help but love a first kiss...



Along with my favorites... the RECESSIONAL!!!



Together they are perfect!



So sweet...



One of my many favorites from their day...



Check out WAY more from their beautiful day...

Fun Times Friday :: Renee the Yogini

TGIF... with another installment of Fun Times Friday!

There are only a few more Friday's left until our little guy arrives, so I'm totally cherishing these moments.

One of the fun moments I really had this past week, was when I met up with and old and dear yoga friend, Renee. Renee and I used to practice at the same yoga studio, in which we both were totally committed and let's just face it, totally addicted, to our 6am morning Ashtanga yoga class. We both were two of the "few" regular, diehard attenders to that class.

Well... all the way up until this past fall when I decided it would be fun to play flag football and I ended up breaking my finger and could not do anything on my hands, which basically was 80% of my morning practice. Then, our little guy decided he was going to start growing in my belly, which added another couple months out of the studio. But Renee is still there doing her thing and representing very proudly. I miss her along with all my yoga family, but I think about them often and I was SO EXCITED when I got an email from Renee asking me to do some photos for her.

I have done some in the past, and what an honor it was to do something fun like this again. Plus it sparked so many fond memories!

Renee, thank you for allowing me to capture some of your sweet poses... you are truly so beautiful!



LOVE this one... the combination of her and the light was AWESOME!



Such a daredevil!





LOVE IT!!! (Yes, she was holding that for quite some time!)



Namaste!!!