{05.31.2008} Congratulations Chris & Claire!

Saturday was spent in the beautiful town of New Buffalo just north of the Michigan/Indiana boarder with the reception in Michigan City, IN. Locations fabulous!

Chris and Claire are both from Washington D.C. with many family and friends in Chicago. New Buffalo is the perfect beach town to celebrate in, and frequently vacationed for Chicago folks. The ceremony took place at St. Mary of the Lake Parish with the reception at Barker Hall in Michigan City.

The image below is a classic with the Claire's family. A picture of an exhausted Father of the Bride. I LOVE IT!

We did a bit of trespassing at a local private beach... Can you believe people were already swimming? CRAZY!



This is my buddy, Max. He had a big day with two jobs. Max was not only a ring bearer, but he was also my unofficial assistant for the day. He did a great job with both jobs!

And how fabulous is this? Not only was Chris and Claire's first dance amazing, but isn't their band and backdrop spectacular? Ideas ladies!!!!

Amazing day, amazing couple, amazing family and friends....oh, and I also need to mention that their family and friends had the most amazing shoes I have ever seen! Total shoe envy going on here. For more information on their vendors click HERE for Stella Event Design. Jessica has all the details! And she's fabulous to work with!

Thank you for making me and Sasha such a huge part of your day! Have a wonderful time in Hawaii!

{05.30.2008} Congratulations Duane & Lisa!

I seriously don't think I could have asked for a more fabulous day or couple! Today, despite the morning rain, I was so excited to get down to the Grand Rapids Masonic Temple for Duane and Lisa's wedding and reception. They are an amazing couple. Everything about them is fun and their laughter and smiles are contagious. Just as the weather forecast said, the rain did stop around 1pm and it turned out to be such an incredible day!

Everything about Lisa and Duane is priceless. The relationships they have with everyone surrounding them is unbelievable. They are so relaxed and fun, such a joy to spend time with. I enjoyed every minute I had with them!

I also need to toss a KUDOS out to Angela of Flowers by DeShane. Angie was Lisa's Maid-of-Honor AND florist. Talk about FABULOUS! Angie is an artist that has only been back in the Grand Rapids area for a brief time. Contact her! 616.581.2388 or adeshane@gmail.com

It was an honor being a part of your day! The weather is definitely in your favor for TC. Hope your honeymoon is amazing!

Michigan in Pictures :: I've been blogged!

LOVE this! Thanks Andrew! You ROCK!

Michigan in Pictures

You can also pick-up a little "jump" history from this blog!=)

{05.27.2008} set timer. run.

Purchased for the kids or me? I'll never tell! Before the enclosure goes up (safety first!) I wanted to get a shot in flight. Form needs work (shhhh...don't let dad see!), but I can still pull a double!

{05.26.2008} Happy Memorial Day!

This weekend truly was all about family. It's soooo rare I get two full days with my husband and kids. Sunday was spent working on our deck. The railing is almost complete! And working on getting the rest of the wood chips spread on the front of the house. I love projects with my husband. We work well together and when mistakes are made I get to laugh at him.=)

Today we woke-up early and headed down to Alpine for breakfast and shopping. This is also a VERY rare occurrence for us. What? Breakfast AND shopping? w00t! Tyler while I was grabbing my coffee lost his first tooth. And when I say lost...it was GONE. The blueberry bagel must have stole it! He wrote a letter to the Tooth Fairy before bed explaining his actions on the smallest piece of paper in the smallest writing a 5yr old could manage. If you find this tooth (fits pictured hole) please return to the Tooth Fairy....it's been paid for.

{05.24.2008} a rare Saturday off

Adding to my list, the letter J.=)

What a fabulous day! This morning the kids and I met up with other photographers from the Grand Rapids Flickr group at the Fulton Street Farmers Market. I'm always hesitant about taking my five and three year old along while shooting for fun, but they seem to always amaze me. I've got great kids. When we were strolling through the market shopping was the only thing on my mind. Find bracelet. Check. Find Nyla a bracelet. Check. Asparagus and a few plants. Gottem!

We walked from the market to Marie Catrib's for lunch. On the way we had the kids do what kids do best...jump!

Happy Saturday!

{05.23.2008} Welcome Master Eli!

Thursday morning at 9:49am my girlfriend, Missy, and her husband welcomed their second son in to the world. Today I went to meet this new little man. The stats on Eli were very similar to his football-bound big brother weighing in at 8lbs 15.5oz and 20.5 inches.

I absolutely adore tiny fingers and itty-bitty toes.

Since I was there during a time everyone else was working, Eli was all mine. We cuddled and chatted. He's going to show his mom that boys can relax and be easy...right little man?

{05.22.2008} shoot it higher!

This morning I had the opportunity to meet several members of the Cedar Springs Rotary Club for a group photo. The Rotarians will be sporting a billboard in town on northern Main Street around the beginning of June. It's wonderful to hear how so many companies can come together as one, donate their time, energy, and materials to do great things for a community. It also gives this photographer, with a love of heights, the opportunity to play!

The new symbol for peace. Rotary.
Humanity in motion.

{05.20.2008} last days of school ~ bitter/sweet

As school ends and summer starts...

Today my kids both celebrated the final days of their preschool year. Tyler received his graduation certificate and will be moving in to the full days of kindergarten this fall, and Nyla will begin dancing through her last year of preschool. How did this year go by so fast? It seems like their first day of school was just a month ago...well, despite the long winter.


Now what am I looking forward to with the fun2? Sunny days and water fun!

{05.17.2008} Congratulations Tim & Kim!

Tim and Kim pledged their love in front of almost 200 of their family and friends on Saturday afternoon! Location was Thornapple Pointe...and MAN was it WINDY!

The domino effect keep everyone on their feet. Employees battled it ALL day, then five minutes before the ceremony the ushers were out there attempting to control the wind. Pickles in a pickle. *giggles*

How do you keep your wedding party under control? Yep, you guessed it!

A ball and chain could have come in handy today!


Thank you for making me a part of your day! Have a wonderful time in Jamaica!

{05.16.2008} Congratulations Dustin & Bailey!

Friday evening Dustin and Bailey said their vows at River of God Church in Byron Center. The sweetness of these two is amazing. As young as they are, they have been together for seven years! You can tell their relationship runs so much deeper than best friends. There really is no way of putting their relationship into words...okay, maybe one...incredible. Dustin's ring sums it up!

Amazing day, amazing couple! Have a wonderful time in Cancun you two!

Hold onto your hats (literally)!!! This weekend is far from over!

{05.15.2008} Finding Balance

My apologies. With as much as I enjoy shooting every single day, it has become impossible to be mom, wife, photographer, friend, along with keeping up with the 366 day challenge for 2008. Wedding season is in full swing with my fifth and six weddings this weekend since mid April. I need to keep up with weddings and clients. This does not mean that I will not be shooting everyday, it just means that I won't be shooting every single day.

There will be new images up on my blog on a regular basis, especially after the weekends...so stay tuned, this summer's gonna ROCK!

Leda

{05.12.2008} Letter "S"

The letter of the day is S. USed to begin wordS like "Scratch," endS wordS like "itcheS," and iS contained in the word "poiSon" for poiSon ivy. I am really trying to laugh my way through thiS week and can not wait for the bottle of medS to be gone next week. I'm going to jump for joy when photo ShootS are Scheduled for the city, and wear long pantS whenever parkS and woodS are involve.

If you would like to learn more about this oh-So-wonderful weed you can viSit www.poiSon-ivy.org for more detailS. Did you know that every SeaSon has a different plant? UGH!

{05.11.2008} Happy bug yer mom day!

Happy Mother's Day to all moms!

After a rough start to the day (hubby attempted to make breakfast...hehe) we did nothing but lay on the couch till lunchtime. No plans and no expectations. Kids ruled the tv and one show kept referring to Mother's Day as "bug yer mom day." Yep, they got that right! I was later treated to dinner and gifts of more landscaping fun!

{05.10.2008} Congratulations Michael & Kendra!

Today came and went didn't in Kendra? You were absolutely stunning!

Kendra and Michael were hitched today at Northlawn United Methodist Church in Grand Rapids with their reception at McFadden's downtown. Talk about a perfect day!

This couple is simply amazing. Kendra is from Michigan. Michael is from Germany. They met in high school when Kendra was in Germany and they have been together ever since. Talk about a long distance relationship!

The uniqueness of today is that they catered to both traditions. Kendra welcomed her family and friends and Michael, although quite the distance, spent the day with ALL of his close family and friends. It was amazing. The ceremony was Pastored by Kendra's uncle then translated by Michael's aunt.

Every wedding is near and dear to my heart, but this one was personal. Kendra is not only one of my amazing brides this year, but she has also been my assistant since November.

Guests tend to resemble the paparazzi.*giggles*

Can you believe they have only lived in the same country since Christmas 2007? These two are proof that you can make anything work.

After arriving to the reception they thanked their guests in both English and German. Then the traditions from both countries followed in the celebration. I have to say that my favorite German tradition is that Kendra and Michael will be receiving one postcard every week from guests for the first 52 weeks of their marriage. You better believe I grabbed one!

Have a wonderful time this month with all of your "out of country" guests!

{05.09.2008} Lisa & Duane

This evening I had the pleasure of meeting up with Lisa and Duane for their last minute engagement session that was postponed from last week due to rain. We wandered around Riverside Park till it started to cool down a bit too much.


We also got some great captures of this soon-to-be family!

Looking forward to May 30th you two!

{05.09.2008} Welcome Miss Lulani!

CONGRATULATIONS needs to also be yelled out to Gennelia and Bill who welcomed their daughter Lulani Paula Schaeffer the evening of May 8th at only 26 weeks. Gennel and Bill were to be wed on August 31 in Stevensville, MI. The celebration the end of August will not only be to celebrate their vows said at Bronson Hospital a few weeks ago but to celebrate the birth of their daughter. At just over a pound Lulani has since day one beat all odds. Currently in NICU, she is continuing to prove she is a fighter and is doing great. My prayers are with you sweetie! I can't wait to meet you!

{05.09.2008} Welcome Kendall Rae!

Today at 12:44pm our friends, Dena and Gabe, welcomed their little girl, Kendall Rae. Since I was in Grand Rapids tonight for an engagement shoot (I promise to have a sneak peek up soon!), and am working Saturday, I took the opportunity to head to the hospital this evening.

Kendall is absolutely beautiful. She is perfect...and oh so very sweet. We snuggled.


Congratulations Fisk family!

{05.08.2008} Blueberry Wine

The REAL part of having kids. You can play your day out in your head exactly the way you see it happening. Kids to school, grocery shopping, home to finish uploading a wedding and unpack, pick kids up, take them to McDonald's for lunch, leave McDonald's...yeah that leave part is where the day becomes theirs. [note: a tantruming child can tripple their body weight during a battle] With that said, neither of my kids wanted to leave. We were there for two hours and fourty-five minutes. I deserve a "Mom of the Year" award just for that! Okay, other moms joined us for the festivities so we talked politics...where we shopped, kindergarten teachers for next year, preschool parties.*giggles* THEN it was time to leave. Tyler wanted to loosen his shoe strings, but I had done it to make his life easier. His shoes then flew across the restaurant. Nyla then chose not to leave by bee-lining it right back into the climbing area screeching at the top of her lungs. Both kids were carried individually over my left shoulder kicking and screaming out to the car. BOTH kids are napping. I'm having this one glass of wine and thinking about what to make for dinner. The life of a mom with a camera.

{05.07.2008} Purse Fabulous!

Yes, today I'm a cheater...but with good reason.=) Last night Lynell invited ladies over for a purse party that was basically a girls night out. As a thank you for wedding referrals this year she said she'd cover my purse. Who was I to say no? I absolutely LOVE it!

And yes, I did take some pictures last night. A big three whopping pictures. All of a first time sushi bite. Lighting was bad, not much creativity...I'd rather just show off my new fabulous purse!

{05.06.2008} finding the perfect dandelion

I took the day off today to be with my kids. The morning was spent on the annual spring preschool field trip to Kent Theater in Cedar Springs to watch a Winne the Pooh movie, painting with kool-aid after lunch, then outside to hunt for the perfect dandelion, and pick as many as we could find to make the perfect bouquet.

{05.05.2008} this season is...

processing all day. i'm fried.

{05.04.2008} Katie & Ju

This afternoon I spent time with Katie and Ju wandering the campus at Aquina's College. As a special treat they brought their nine month old poodle/schnauzer pup, Elli. Isn't she adorable?


Ju had an idea to help Katie up into a tree. What we did not realize is that she's afraid of heights two feet higher than she stands. *Sorry Katie* It was great entertainment listening to Ju laugh at Katie's squeals!

...but we did end-up finding a tree Katie could handle and Ju could climb!

{05.03.2008} Congratulations Barry & Samantha!

Barry and Samantha said their "i do's" today at Kilpatrick United Brethren Church in Woodland, MI with their tented reception immediately following. Yes, I did say tent! The rain and the cold front came in after the warm teaser of an afternoon and made for a wet, chilly evening. That did not stop the festivities however! Their family and friends are simply amazing...other than a few extra layers, you never would have known with all the smiles!

These two are so adorable. Sam is such a doll, and Barry I'm certain will not mind his dating game grand prize of working at Green Acres...as long as he can be with his beautiful bride! Who needs Amway Grand pampering anyway? *giggles* Have a wonderful time in the mountains of Virginia!

Happy Anniversary needs to also go out to Mr. and Mrs. Miller! (Samantha's parents) They were married twenty-eight years ago today. Same date, same location, same Pastor! This was an overwhelming day of emotions for everyone. And Barry...you now have back-up to remembering the first happiest day of your life!

Oh yeah, and I can not forget to mention the last overheard words between this happy couple before Justin and I took our exit...

Barry (to Samantha) : "What is your mother doing?!"(points to woman dancing crazily on the dance floor)
Sam: *looks puzzled*
Barry : "She's bringing sexy back!"

{05.02.2008} Baby Plum

the calm before the storm.

{05.01.2008} Stick'em Up!

I LOVE this little man! Dylan came in this morning for his nine month pictures. I LOVE 9 months! This age has so much character, but they don't move nearly as fast a one-year-old. Dylan is my "thinker" client. At six months he had to analyze every item in the studio. Today we had fun. We played SOOOOOOOO BIG!, crawled around a bit, he discovered that by touching my nose that it beeped (sorry mom & dad!), and we bumped melons as he was crusing around.

As usual, he didn't have many smiles...but it's because he needs to take it all in!