Graham Loves Graham's

Comcast finally came again this morning...apparently our internet is now working, but our brand new router is fried. Not sure how I am connected right now, but I am not going to ask too many questions. I am just going to type really fast.

Last week I got to spend time at one of my happy places. We will go here if it is sunny or rainy; whenever we are looking for something to do that will put a smile on our faces.

Graham's Fine Chocolates & Ice Cream shop puts a smile on little Graham's face too.

Normally, Graham is only allowed organic, healthy snacks...

so you can imagine his excitement at the prospect of having some sugar! :D mmmm...

And his very first ice cream cone!!

Bob here is the owner of Graham's and graciously let us shoot in his little heaven on earth.

Bob & Graham are new BFF's.

Be sure to stop by Graham's Chocolates if you need a chocolate fix or an amazingly delicious waffle cone. See you there!

Lightning Strikes

That storm the other night got us all discombobulated. Something near to our house was struck during that lightning storm and we have been paying the price for the power surge...our garage door is fried, Chad's modem and printer burnt out, and our phone has been down and there has been NO INTERNET!!!! The horror!!!

So, this post, and many others, are overdue -- I am stealing someone else's wireless connection right now from my mom's house.

I have been dying to share these pics of little David Junior. I shot his newborn pics last year and I can't believe how big he is now. He is such a doll.

David's little sister will be here this summer.

I miss the days when we used to make plans to do something because it was "Friday." It has been a long week, so I am trying to get caught up on

me, the road & the radio

The road was long and the radio was loud. It was just me. No one shouting orders from the backseat. Roll the windows up. Change the song. Get my juice. Are we there yet?

I arrived in Grand Rapids, Michigan late this evening and enjoyed every minute of my journey so far. I was afraid I would not be able to stay awake while driving the 3 1/2 hours up here (see last post re: sleep deprivation), so I got a library card today and checked out some books on CD. Mary Higgins Clark, you rock my world.

This ride was much different than the drive up to Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin we had last weekend. Faye and I shot a super cool wedding that I can't wait to share with you, but this time we brought our families with us. They got to hang out at the water park at the Blue Harbor Resort while we shot the wedding. It was also Brynn's 4th birthday on Saturday, then we celebrated Kyler's baby dedication at church on Sunday as well as Mother's Day. I am exhausted. I have some great shots to share, but I will be unavailable for the rest of the week. I will return emails and phone calls as soon as I can. Thank you for your patience!!!

Tomorrow is the beginning of a two day workshop with a photographer I have admired from afar since I got in to the photography world. Amy Wenzel is not only a phenomenal photographer, but an amazing Christian woman as well. I had an awesome convo with her tonight. You can read her whole story on her blog, but I admire the strength she emanates as her husband battles a brain tumor. They aren't even 30 years old! Life is unfair, but they are inspiring others all over by sharing their story.

Another little guy who is inspiring is this little Connor who is in an active battle with leukemia. He is undergoing chemo and is feeling good. I could barely keep up with him and his 5 cousins. All boys!!

These lucky grandparents have 6 adorable grandsons. This was one of the first shots of the day. I was praying that these images were in focus as they sat there with their halos glowing.

A big thank you to my friend, Julie, and her hubby for arranging this session for her in-laws. They have never had family photos taken together.

Julie told me to skip the gym that day...I did get a work out ;)

Little ducklings.

This bubble gum was a life saver. They all had big wads of gum in their mouths. Bribery definitely works.

Brothers.

Brothers.

Brothers.

This is one of my favorite shots. Check out Tyler giving me the "thumbs up." Thanks Tyler!!

Then they were outta here.

I am so happy to have spent this time with all of you. Thank you so much for letting me be a part of it.

Lack of sleep linked to early death: Study

News flash! Did anyone see this article on Yahoo news? I think I am a strong candidate to part of this statistic. Brynn tries to get in our bed at least two times a night, coupled with Chad's sleepwalking, and my staying up late working -- that makes for some very bad nights of sleep. I think I might start sleeping in with Ky and let Brynn and Chad do their thing.

Sleep is definitely something I miss, but now I find out I might die and early death because of it?? It's ironic that this study just came out and it reminded me of a song I was listening to on my iPod the other day. Although I have listened to this Jason Aldean song a hundred times, this time the lyrics really stuck in my head:

I had an all-american mom and dad Some of the coolest friends you could ever have Found love I thought I'd never find Sometimes I can't believe this life is mine And I'm not plannin' on leavin' yet but the truth is you just never know And if this is as good as it gets Man, I think I'm good to go I'm good to go

Got to hold my newborn baby girl And the hand of a man as he slipped from this world I've laughed so hard I couldn't stop Seen the sunrise from a mountain top And I'm not plannin on leavin' yet but the truth is you just never know And if this is as good as it gets man, I think I'm good to go  Yeah, I've been thinkin' bout where I'm at on my not so straight and narrow path And I wouldn't wanna change nothing about This roll with the punches life I've had

My brother-in-law's grandmother passed away last week which has sparked a plethora of death questions from Brynn.  I was thinking about Grandma Ella and how she lived to be 91 years old.  What a full and complete life she had, but I couldn't help but be sad for the passing of a generation.  I hope to live a full life full of love like she did.  

Which leads me to another thing...my Bucket List.  If you watched Kenny on Oprah a few weeks ago, you may have seen the other guests on her show that day from "The Buried Life." It is a show on MTV about what you would like to do before you die.

I knew I had a started a list like this many years ago, B.K. (before kids), and I went on a scavenger hunt to track it down.  I did find it, and it was really funny to see the things that were on there, which ones I have accomplished, and how my goals have changed in the last 6 years.

Here is what my list looks like now - this is a combo of old goals and new:
1.  Write a book.
2.  Learn to surf.
3.  Dance with Ellen.
4.  Law school.  (This was an old one, but I am leaving it on here for now.)
5.  Get my photography certification by passing the insanely hard examination.
6.  Three kids.  (Really?  Did I say that?  That was obviously B.B (before Brynn).  This one is still up for debate.
7.  Get a BMW X5.  (I used to really like this car...not so much anymore).
8.  Learn to country line dance.
9.  Climb a mountain.
10.  Invent something and sell it for millions.
11.  Go to P. Diddy's white party in the Hamptons.  (this was an old one...where is P. Diddy now?)
12.  Take singing lessons.  (this will never happen)
13.  Be able to play enough songs on the guitar to have a sing-a-long with a group of friends around a campfire.
14.  Find my ancestors in Ireland, Sweden and Norway.
15.  Rehab a house.
16.  Take photography lessons to learn about aperture, shutter speed, lighting, etc. and be able to shoot in Manual mode. (Ok, I thought this was funny that this was on my list.  I am happy to be able to officially check this one off.)
17.  Get Chad to take swing/ballroom, etc. dance lessons with me. (This will never happen.)

That's all I got for now.  Do you have a bucket list?  Or just a list of short term goals?  Sit down and write them down and hold yourself accountable for them.  Git 'er done!!!

Wedding Season Is Here

If Laura & John's wedding is any indication of how sweet my wedding season is going to be, then I will be one happy chica. I could gush about them for paragraphs and paragraphs...but I will get straight to the pics. I just want to say thank you to Laura & John and their families for including Faye and I in their beautiful day. Laura & John are a rare class act and I feel honored to have gotten the opportunity to get to know them.

Little Ben was rocking the puppy tux.

One of Laura's mom's friends made this purse for her with Laura's grandma's broach, then put her new monogram/initials inside to personalize it even more.

Laura's sister had the honor of looping every button up the back of the dress.

I love watching the family dynamic on wedding days. Every family has their own inside jokes and I love capturing them getting a good laugh together.

Rawr...











This bridal party was so wonderful and fun and supportive. Laura & John, you have really great friends. Can't you see the love?

Laura has been living up here while John has been in North Carolina working. They had not seen each other for nine weeks before their wedding!

It is so nice when brides and grooms leave time in their day for some fun pics together.

"Footloose" was a crowd favorite...they really let loose! ;)

Laura had this little photo booth made for her guests to get some fun pics taken. It was such a good idea!

Thank you again for letting us be a part of your wedding day. I left your wedding feeling so blessed to do what I do and to meet such amazing people. Thank you for putting a smile on my face. Hope you are having fun in Aruba!!