And the {Bride} Wore White

Ever since I was a little girl, I have always loved attending weddings.  

What I didn't know, was that as an adult, I would love photographing them even more.  

And I can tell you exactly why.  

It's the details.  

It truly is the many, tiny, little touches that make each and every wedding special and tell that couple's love story so perfectly.

Thank you so much to Kirk Grant Photography for having me second shoot this magical wedding.  I truly enjoyed myself and was honored to help preserve this sweet and beautiful couple's special day.  

Picking' {Blueberries}

{thankful for}

sweet farm owners

blueberry 'tunnels'

a cool breeze in the shade

organic berries

brotherly giggles

cold water bottles from awesome farm owners

{Paddle} Boating

Last week, I took the boys paddle boating for a fun little adventure with Mommy...

But, in all my grand excitement of being the cool mom, I kinda forgot that it actually takes man power... man power that can actually reach the peddles... to, well, paddle the boat.

So, on this 97 degree, humidity-through-the-roof day, their seven-month-pregnant-Mommy... in a sundress, no less, got a very rude awakening.

I can assure you that between the short chiffon dress, the peddles that forced my knees to my chest-plunging this poor baby into my spine-with every single peddle, and the fact that I kept splashing water all over me to cool off, essentially soaking my dress... there was zero modesty left out on that lake. 

Oiy.

Bless it, alive.  If I'm known for anything, let it be adventure.

Ahoy Matey! {Mini Sessions}

Her {Soldier}

So, sometimes a photo shoot goes *e-x-a-c-t-l-y* the way you envision.  And there's this sort of photographer euphoria that one experiences.  

This was such a shoot.

But let me tell you when it gets even better.  

When you go home and view those photos on a big 'ole computer screen and the emotion behind those photos becomes so vividly evident that you can barely edit them because you are so choked up with tears in your eyes.  

This was such a shoot.  

Because this young man has chosen to serve his country, he will be gone from his beloved for a long time.  A very long time.  And to know that these photos are gonna be held onto tightly, probably laughed over, cried over, and certainly prayed over until he comes back home to his sweetheart... well, that's big stuff.  

It was truly an honor and privilege to photograph these two.  I'm so thankful for both their sacrifice, and especially for K's service in keeping this home of the brave, free.

{thankful for}

the many brave men and women of our armed forces, who protect our freedoms at all costs

the brave families that they leave behind as they train and defend our great nation

A {Bombshell} in Bethlehem

So, I went through a handful of blog titles for this one, but basically, I just called it like I saw it...with a little flare of alliteration, of course. 

I mean, how gorgeous is she?! 

This lady o.w.n.e.d. the camera and pretty much had all of us behind our cameras drooling.

 And, as if her looks couldn't kill, her sweet personality and laugh were just off the charts!

{thankful for}

belly laughs with friends

limos with champagne

long drives through the Pennsylvania countryside

beautiful brides walking down cobblestone streets

a crisp, refreshing, chill in the air...that this pregnant momma is currently missing!

The {Apple} Orchard

Each summer, I take the late nights of calm and quiet to focus on my photography. 

And this summer I have made a specific goal to work through most of the past photo shoots I've done and post the ones I never shared. 

On this beautiful October day, a big group of friends and I followed our fearless leader to an apple orchard in the country to photograph these darling triplets.  

We could not possibly get enough of their smiles, sass, and infectious giggles! 

It really was the VERY BEST DAY EVER. 

Well...

at least until our limo service left us stranded in the freezing cold for a few hours.

But even then, we thoroughly enjoyed the extra couple hours snuggling up together trying to stay warm and sharing stories of life, adoption, photography and much, much more...

{thankful for}

Lisa being the very best photography teacher ever and for selflessly sharing her knowledge and skill

meeting such an inspiring group of precious ladies and the friendships that have been made

cold nights full of laughter and budding friendships in a Pennsylvania apple orchard

ruffled Matilda Jane dresses and boutique feathered hand bands {seriously, the cuteness!} 

the gift of sisterhood

{Gameball}

Little league is not something I saw in my future or really ever dreamed about when I was 'planning' my family as a younger me.  Truth be told, in my dreams there was a whole lotta pink, sparkles, baby dolls, and ballet shoes.  But the moment that ultrasound tech told us we were adding some BLUE to our lives, dirt, bugs, tractors, and tee-ball flashed before my eyes and I. WAS. SOLD.

This is Perry's third year in baseball and we are having so much fun!  I love that he's always decked out in his favorite orange-minus the cleats (why are soccer cleats SO much cooler and more colorful than baseball cleats?!) and that somehow, his little personality always shines through.

He is honing in on those much needed skills like swinging level, keeping his weight on his back foot, and paying attention to the ball even when its not coming his way.  His hard work and dedication is really starting to show.  We can see improvement in each game, and most of all, I think he's really starting to fall in love with the sport, which is so cool to watch!

This last game, the coach told all the kids that he was going to be awarding the game ball to the player who paid attention the whole time and really gave it his/her all.  Perry played a great game at third base, not letting a ball pass by him, then quickly getting it to first to make our outs.  And then he got three great hits, twice off the coach pitch, which we're really working hard on!  We were so proud of and tickled for Mr P when after the game the coach awarded him with this special prize.  He put Perry straight on Cloud 9.  I LOVE that Perry was so stinking proud of all his hard work!

{thankful for}

a daddy who works with his boys

a coach who is equal parts work and play

baseball gear in Ps favorite color

sweet friends for JackCruz to play with while big brother plays ball

that snaggle tooth smile that MELTS this momma's heart

Mother's Day {Mini} Sessions