It's getting hot in here.

The weather has been so nice lately and we've been really lucky. It's 94 degrees here today and it feels like summer. We've had weather like this for a few weeks now, and it's unusual for Minnesota this time of year. It hasn't been quite as hot but it's been sunny and warm.

I love May-it's one of the most beautiful months of the year. Flowers are blooming and the grass is green. Gardens are planted and the bugs aren't out yet. It is perfect!

Bunny + Papa were in town for the weekend so we spent most of it with my family. My sister competed and won state cup so they are off to regionals in June--and nationals if they win in July. We had the family over to our house for a bbq on Saturday and it was fun. We cooked on the grill and enjoyed being outside. Saturday night we had a family movie night and watched The Hurt Locker, and it was pretty good. Very intense but good. It was winner of the Academy Awards best picture. We stayed up late talking + didn't get home until 1 am. It was a really great day.

Sunday I was exhausted from spending time outdoors {and sunburned!} so we went out for brunch with my family and then headed home after Al's championship game to relax.

This weekend we are going camping with Jay's family for Memorial weekend, so we'll be busy preparing this week and we are looking forward to that.

hello there.

So much to update! This weekend was fun and full of sunshine. We worked hard in our yard {with thanks to mama + al} and got our peonies & lilacs mulched, along with our front garden. We spent the entire day Saturday and Sunday outside. I was exhausted and sun-kissed on Monday!

Yesterday I found out that my friend Carrie is expecting her 2nd baby this October! I am soooo happy and excited for her + Clay. They are having us over for dinner soon to catch up. I can't wait to see Parker too {their first baby}. Congrats again Carrie!

Last night Jenni and I had a wine, cheese + chocolate night. I took over my leftover cheese from our dinner last week and Jenni got a few different selections and we ate them with bread & fruit. It was such a beautiful night and fun + unique way to have dinner together. It was so delicious.

I just went through my calendar because I booked 2 weddings today.....15 weddings this season! Wow, I didn't realize it was that many now. Goodbye student loan debt, hello traveling and extra savings!!!!!!!!!!! I am so pumped!! One of the weddings booked today is at Gibbs Farm, where I shot one of my favorite weddings. I love unique venues like that. I am so excited, and so far this season has been awesome.
Tonight I'm headed home to watch Glee on dvd and veg out.....I can't wait!!! Happy Wednesday xoxo

25

This year I was really excited about turning 25.
Last year I felt old, but not this birthday.
This year has been one of the best of my life,
and I know 25 won't let me down.
I love the place I am at in my life.
You know that feeling that you get-
When you wake up really early the morning of vacation?
You can't sleep because you're so excited?
I feel that feeling almost every day.
This year's birthday was so much fun.
Surprise notes around the house + flower deliveries at work.
Even more flowers at home. I am spoiled silly.
Candle-lit nights and sweet surprises from my hubby.
Joyful family celebrations and my favorite favorite cake.
Packages in the mail from my nestie bestie Nicole,
gatherings and bbq'ing with friends, and good weather.
I am so blessed!

Dinner details.

Here is a picture of our romantic candle lit dinner last night. Hah! I wish. This looks like our dinner we had on the beach under the stars on our honeymoon. Our dinner last night was much less exciting, however, there were lots of candles.

I cooked for 3 hours yesterday. I almost never get to do that, so it was a lot of fun and I got several texts throughout the day from mr. man wondering what I was whipping up (I told him I had something planned). He was really excited. So I brought down my mac, turned on some music, popped a bottle of wine and enjoyed an afternoon in the kitchen. We started off with a cheese plate and assortment of gourmet cheeses. We had panquehue from Chile, gorgonzola, parmesan reggiano & brie drizzled with honey. I served it with fruit, bread, wine and balsamic vinegar.

For the main dish I made a garlic basil linguine pasta with shrimp and scallops and a home made spicy cream sauce. For once my hubby walked in the door and dinner was hot & ready waiting on the table! {usually he is always home & already cooking before me} He LOVED it! After dinner we watched tv & a redbox rental I had picked up earlier in the day. Everything turned out really good and it reminds me of how much I love to cook when I have the time. I'll have to upload my pics later since I don't have them all now. Tonight the group is headed over to our house to celebrate my birthday, thanks to Jenni who planned everything! You are amazing Jenni! I'm excited to see all our friends, enjoy the weather outside and play some bean bags + maybe even volleyball. It's finally sunny after a week long rain storm. I'm definetly going to enjoy it!

Playing hooky.

Yesterday I left work at noon and headed home for some R&R, and I decided to take the day off today too. I have a big 'to-do' list and lots of relaxing to attend to! Perfect for a stormy, rainy day. I love days off! I'm planning a fun romantic evening for my hubby-the contents of which you'll have to come back later and find out because I know he reads this ;)

Tidbits of my birthday.

darling husband;

Mama.

She's never pulled anyone from a burning building,
She's never rocked Central Park to a half a million fans,
screaming out her name-
She's never hit a shot to win the game
She's never left her footprints on the moon
She's never made a solo hot air balloon ride, around the world,
No, she's just your everyday average girl....but,

She's somebody's hero
A hero to her baby with a skinned up knee
A little kiss is all she needs
The keeper of the cheerios
The voice that brings Snow White to life
Bedtime stories every night
And that smile lets her know.
She's somebody's hero.


She didn't get a check every week like a nine-to fiver,
But she's been a waiter, and a cook and a taxi driver
For twenty years, there at home, until the day her girl was grown
Giving all her love to her was her life's ambition
But now her baby's moving on, and she'll soon be missing her
But not today, those are tears of joy running down her face.

She's somebody's hero
A hero to her daughter in her wedding dress
She gave her wings to leave the nest.
It hurts to let her baby go down the aisle she walks right by
Looks back into her mother's eyes
And that smile lets her know
She's somebody's hero.
This song brings tears to my eyes just reading the lyrics! I dedicated this song to my Mama at our wedding and we danced to it together at the reception.

Just before they opened those white chapel doors to walk down the isle, I hit an emotional wall. The tears just kept coming. I thought about that song as I waited. As I got closer to the altar, it wasn't my future husband I was looking for-it was my Mama. I looked back and locked my eyes on her thinking, I did it Mama! I found the man you've prayed I would since I was a little girl! The only one who loves me like you do. This precious life will be taking care of me from now on, and it's ok to let me go. And then she smiled at me and I knew that our prayers had been answered. I turned my head towards my adoring husband and I walked confidently into my future.

I love you Mama! You are a sturdy rock on a faltering ground.

You are so so beautiful, and if I had to choose what was more beautiful {inside or out}

It would be impossible. You have been through so much and I envy your unwaivering strength. Your love for me is fierce, and I am so lucky.

You are the definition of unconditional love,

and an incredible example of exactly what kind of Mother I hope to be.

You give me faith.

You give me hope.

I love you.

Happy Mother's Day!

Thoughts on Thursdays

Today I'm going to be sharing ideas from The Love Dare, a book based on the movie Fireproof. It's a 40 day challenge designed to strengthen marriages, and each day is a new "dare" to try on your spouse. As the days increase, the dares get more specific & challenging.

Dare #1 Although love is communicated in a number of ways, our words often reflect the condition of our heart. For the next day, resolve to demonstrate patience and say nothing negative to your spouse at all. If the temptation arises, choose not to say anything. It's better to hold your tongue than to say something you'll regret.

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love-Ephesians 4:2

Water for Elephants

Just finished book number 1 for book club! It was a really good read and a very interesting story, and although there were parts that alarmed me, overall I really enjoyed it.

Review: {no spoilers!}Naturally I love it because it's based in the era of the Great Depression, and has old-fashioned undertones. It's basically about a Cornell veterinary student who is about to graduate from college and join his father's veterinary practice. His parents are suddenly killed in a car accident and he finds out that his family was broke-they had taken out a mortgage just to put him through school. Knowing he has nothing and nowhere to turn, he jumps a train hoping it will take him somewhere better than where he came from. It happens to be the train of a traveling circus, and the start of a whole new life for him. Now that I know the part that Reese Witherspoon will play in the movie, I'm not sure she's the best choice for the role {even though I love her as an actress!} but you bet I'll still see it!....on to book number 2, firefly lane by Kristin Hannah.

May flowers.

Hello dear ones!

Last weekend brought blue skies & bike rides. I love spring.
Our house smells sweet like honey from freshly picked lilacs.
This weekend we'll be having a good old fashioned birthday party.
Sunday we're taking my mom & siblings to the Twins game.
Rain, rain, stay away. We want to see the Twins in sun on Sunday!
Monday I turn 25!!

Oh, and I booked a wedding at the Gale Mansion!! I'm pretty excited about this. THIS is the Gale Mansion. It is glorious to a wedding photographer.
It's such a pretty venue! Everything about it is classic vintage + I am so excited to shoot there. The wedding is in the fall right around peak color time. Oh + did I mention the couple is super sweet? Like, the husband to be owns his own record label and everything about the wedding is going to be unique and artsy? I am so lucky.