Jessie's Shower [Bridal Shower]

A beautiful day, filled with great company and wonderful food! I had such a fun time at this Mexican themed bridal shower last weekend that I couldn't wait to share with Jessie & Meggie! I can't wait to share more once I'm done editing, but until then...here's a sneak peek!







The beautiful bride-to-be and her mom!




Pre-big-day try-on session!


Hello pretty! She was so adorable and ready to party in her pretty tutu!

More of the Fab Three [St. Louis Children's Photographer]

Here are some of the finals from the wonderful triplets I had the honor of photographing last weekend. There's sure to be more of this beautiful trio as they grow! For now...enjoy them while they're this size.

So...here are they are once again! Logan, Clara & Nora.



Beautiful Miss Nora




Clara in one of my favorites of the day!






Logan is just a little sleepy here! His mommy was trying to get him to sleep all day!






Beautiful...simply put!

Logan, Nora & Clara [Children's Photographer]

Huge thank you to my good friends Sarah & Rob for letting me have the honor of photographing these three beautiful babes! Logan, Clara & Nora are all beautiful and healthy as can be--not to mention growing way too fast!

Who doesn't need a little love?


Logan


Clara & Nora


Logan finally asleep!

The Ride of My Life

Mother's day was filled with wonderful things! Including a nice trip up to my parent's house and fun ride in my dad's jeep he's working on fixing up. Funny story about that jeep...we took a ride. This was the first time Josh got to drive ole' yellow. So I let my dad sit in the front and I gladly took the back seat. About halfway through the drive (which is very slow due to the steering), I felt something on my foot. Look down...and sure enough, a mouse was on its way to hide under the very seat I sat in. Now I'm not that big of a ninny, but I'm ninny enough to jump out of a moving vehicle! Some some of these shots you'll notice Josh has a big smile on his face...I believe he and my dad laughed all the way home about my little friend in the backseat.

Oh yea...and I got the front where I could put my feet up the rest of the ride!



My dad says the dice are gonna go...I think he secretly likes them and that's why they're not gone yet!




Favorite of the day.


Notice the laugh!


So excited for this weekend's happenings! I'll hopefully have a great posting on Sunday.

Willoughby Farm

Last weekend after the surprise party, we headed over to Willoughby Farm. Collinsville Rec (CARD) was having a hoedown. We ran over to enjoy a bit of the atmosphere and I must say its quickly becoming one of my favorite places in the area! Thanks to Beth for the great invite!

The barn where the hoedown was held--this is also where my wonderful bridal shower was held about a year ago! Love it!




Look at this face! I want one!


Inside the barn decorations...




They were getting their groove on...




And...just a few of one of my favorite subjects at the farm!




Probably my favorite...

Congratulations Claudia!

Just about ten years ago, I walked into the Religious Center for the first time scared, feeling alone and very empty. You see, it was my very first week at college...and I was SO homesick. And I don't think "homesick" can even describe how scared and alone I really felt.

So when I walked into the Religious Center that night and Sr. Claudia asked me to read for mass, I nearly broke down in tears right there. Mass reminded me of my family...something we always did together...every weekend. Claudia must have sensed my trepidation as she persuaded me to read. I gladly accepted...but the story doesn't end there.

Some of my best times in college were spent in that building. That is the building where I met my best friends. I got my first on-campus job working for Claudia. I grew deeper in my faith and stronger in the person I knew I was supposed to be. All because Claudia decided to come up and welcome to mass on that very first night.

There are many things I learned from this wise woman. How to not take life so seriously, always have fun and to take good care of myself just as God had planned for me. And she walked beside me and many of my friends for those four years. And many years later, I was finally able to give back to the woman who had taught me so much during theseformative years about life, love and God. Claudia proudly presented the gifts at our wedding with Sr. Kathy...and we humbly accepted those gifts as a sign of friendship and love...and many more years to come of such a wonderful friend close to our hearts!

Congratulations on 10 wonderful years at SIUE Claudia--thank you for sharing the gift of YOU with all of the students that have passed through those doors just as I did 10 years ago!

Katie, Claudia & Michelle--both Katie & Michelle graduated the same year as I did and we spent many-a-Newman-nights in the RC together!

And She Said Yes: AJ + Amanda Engaged

AJ called me about a week and a half prior to the big day. Calm as a cucumber, he told me the story! And I was hooked. I'm a sucker for a good love story, always have been and always will be.

We met on that day and it was pouring down rain! Wouldn't you know...but that failed to dampen AJ's spirit. Amanda had no idea this was a staged photo shoot and as she entered the room, I'm pretty sure my heart skipped a beat-along with the other two accomplices--Nina & Marty who were in on the whole shebang.

Without skipping a beat midway through the fake shoot, AJ handed over the lovely book he had made her, pulled out the twisty-tie ring (because he always told her that's all he could afford) and then proposed...and she said yes. Twisty-tie and all...that was right before he dropped to his knees and opened up the real box.

So after the thrill and excitement of the moment, AJ had asked that Marty & Nina escort us around campus where the two had met to take some photos.

So the pictures that follow represnt life captured...at its best!

The twisty-tie ring...








Love this one...there's something about a good looking couple and a perfect black and white mix.








AJ & Amanda--thank you so much for letting me take part in your speical day! It was such an honor to be there with you as you experienced love in its truest form! Best of luck to all the planning that's coming your way! It's truly going to be the best day of your life!

Josh At Willoughby Farms

Saturday night was full of fun! We had a great time at a surprise party (pictures to come from that soon!) and then headed over to Willoughby Farms for a Hoedown. And I just love that place...such great backgrounds and interest in everything. I shot a few of Josh that I'm just in love with and thought I should share! I'm partial...but I think he's pretty cute!





Love the graininess of this one!


More to come this week from the surprise party and more from Willoughby Farms. I'm also finishing my engagement session and should have some more great ones from that day! Can't wait...