It's worth it...

One of the blessings of getting to work from home is more often than not you'll find me with a cup of coffee and in my pj's. One of the hidden difficulties is the fact that I don't leave work. Here I've been putting in 18 hour work days and when it seems like I couldn't possibly fit anything else in I manage to do so. Let me say this is was however you want to put it the best "squeeze me in" session ever. From the first click of the shutter I knew the day was going to be sweet! This couple just naturally has it. They don't even know how cute they are. Worth every second away from my "to-do" list. (:

Time To Celebrate...

I think this picture sums up the wedding. Fun. Are you kidding??  Considering we haven't won a Stanley Cup in nearly 50 years, anyone that's going to party to the Blackhawk's theme song while throwing some championship memorabilia is cool in my book.  (: For real though, it's actually quite rare to have weddings with a really specific interest of the couple represented . You'd think people's hobbies were flowers or collecting votive candles. Sure those are beautiful and obviously have a big part in any wedding but to me....After literally seeing hundreds of weddings the moments I remember are moments like this. The Hawks taking the Stanley and the bride and groom taking a the opportunity to celebrate. (: 

Here's another one of my favorites of the day...

                                                                                     

"O Baby"...

   

My first attempt at a diaper cake.  210 diapers & a sonogram later we have a present that in the near future 

will be a pile of poop. (: 

 O my O my... My sister's havin' a baaaabbyyy! 

Me and a few other partner's in crime had the privilege of hosting a baby shower for one of the best mom's of the future (Make that the near future!) aka my sister! Now I can say that with full confidence because she had a big role in raising me so she must have some skills. (:

 For real though... 

It's hard to even list the ways that she'll be an incredible mom but if I could pin point what made her a great sister I think it will help explain it. Many years back (I was maybe 10?) someone challenged her to be intentional about relationships. From that point on we had a once a week "sister's night". Whether it was cooking up a new recipe, her attempting to teach me Spanish, playing a game of skip-0, or talking for hours over a cup of coffee she chose to live intentionally with me and that's no small feat: it's love. What a lucky kid...This little one is going to be celebrated, encouraged, and never left with a doubt of how much their mom wants to be in their life every little step of the way. It's what has made her a great sister and it's what will make her a great mom.   

*What's with the O's? Her last name begins with the letter "O" and the gender of the baby is a big O surprise. So she refers to the little one as "Baby O" (: 

Banana Bread/ Cream Cheese Frosted Cupcakes. (: 

Full Circle...

When you're little the slightest difference in age can make all the difference. "No! I'm two and a haaaaalllllfffff." Now take that slight difference and make it big...Typically, a sibling that's ten years older than you wouldn't know your middle name from your first. It's not a personal thing, it's just those paths don't have too many commonalities. I've mentioned before that I'm so blessed to have siblings that despite all the odds have taken an interest in my life. No, scratch that...Are deeply deeply invested in my life. (For which I couldn't be more grateful) Now here's where I'm going with this. Okay sure, my siblings are unique in that despite age we're really close. That doesn't speak for one's friends though. Really...Think about it. Your friend has a little sister that while most high schoolers are out driving around with their friends yours is hanging out with a five year old. Most people wouldn't get it and would probably distance themselves of that friendship. Not Erica....

My sister's best friend all growing up is someone who completely took me under her wing. I remember going to the zoo, the movies, the mall, getting finger paint for my birthday. I remember having another person that had all the right to reject but chose love. So time has obviously passed and I'm no longer five but something that's been really sweet is getting to know Erica all over again not only as my sister's friend but as a friend of my own. 

Erica came into town last weekend to help host a baby shower for my sister and we took a little time to capture a few shots of her little one Lina. How cute is she?? (: 

Chris & Carrie's Wisconsin Wedding...

Obviously I'm a bit biased but I love when couples stop me from trying to get them to their reception and rather take more time pictures. One, they inevitable are my favorite images of the day, and two, it just shows they get what the day is about. Though lovely, the reception, the flowers, the cake, all the little details that would signify "Wedding" aren't what the day is about. Too often the wedding day passes and the bride and groom really haven't embraced the day together. Not Chris & Carrie... You can completely tell that they were soaking in every moment of the wedding together and that was the most beautiful detail of all.