You guys – December is over. 2014 is OVER!!! And what a great/wonderful/blessed year it’s been. Especially this past month, snuggling up under warm blankets in between decorating for Christmas and getting things ready for baby’s arrival in January.

1. The number one thing I’ve been enjoying this month? A healthy pregnancy!! It’s been an amazing journey so far and we are so excited to meet our little one. Only a couple weeks left!! A friend of mine asked what I’m most excited for when baby arrives – I immediately answered “taking her picture!!” However, the more I think about it, what I’m really looking forward to is watching her grow, learn, and seeing how her personality develops (I hope she thinks we’re funny). And snuggles. I can’t wait for baby snuggles!!

2. Christmas season – We decided to stay home for Christmas this year (not wanting to be too far from a hospital just in case), and while we missed our families greatly, we very much enjoyed a quiet evening and an early bedtime. (We really are excited to be parents, just soaking up the last few moments of pre-baby married life :-))

Also, can I give a shout-out to flickering LED candles with timers?? They make our house look so cozy in the evening!

Happy New Year to you all – may your days be filled with wonderful moments and lots of love!

I looooove getting to photograph couples who have known each other for a long time. I can only imagine how much they’ve been through together, especially when living and going to college in separate states. (Long distance is tough!!) But having been together for a number of years, they’re naturally good at snuggling, plus they know exactly how to make each other laugh – which works out great for me! :-D

Dan + Megan – Thanks so much for inviting me to document this exciting time of your lives! I had a wonderful time meeting you and am SO looking forward to seeing you again (when the weather will be much, much warmer)!

November brought me to the end of my 2014 wedding season, but it also started the official ‘chill with family and get ready for baby’ season – which is totally what I’ve been loving this month! :-)

1. Baby quilt. I spent a few days with my parents earlier in the month so that mom and I could make a baby quilt together. I think it turned out great!! p.s. Have I mentioned IT’S A GIRL?! However, my nephews will tell you there’s still a 5% chance it’s a boy. :-)

2. Wedding-ing. My husband’s sister got married in Minnesota, and we had wonderful time seeing his family plus getting to know the new in-laws.

3. Christgiving. The last week in November brought us back to Rosholt to celebrate Thanksgiving/my birthday/Christmas. We took some family photos for the Christmas card, and then Lance wanted some goofy photos with the nephews. He’s going to be such a great and fun dad – I can’t wait! (side note: I love that Isaac is giving himself ‘ears’)

4. Snuggles with the nephews. I love how reading a book still gets the boys’ attention and makes them scooch as close to me as possible.

I hope you are enjoying all the little moments during this holiday season!

Garth + Karlie’s big day was the perfect way to finish up my 2014 wedding season. Yes, it was the coldest and northern-most wedding I photographed all year, but it was oh-so-beautiful, glamorous, fun, and full of people I knew!! You may recognize a few faces from Kris + Lexie’s (Karlie’s sister) wedding last summer.

Thanks, you two, for getting married in Downtown Fargo – I had so much fun with all the gray + black textures nearby, especially this wall!! These next three (yes, three) are my FAVORITES!!

We may have been teased by a Fargo police officer for taking this photo outside the station. But I don’t care – look how good they make it look!!! :-)

We hopped inside for a quick warm-up and photos on this lovely staircase…

…then back outside for more! I call these next few ‘operation think warm thoughts and pretend it isn’t 40 something degrees out’ :-)

Even the wedding party braved the cold weather!! Oh, how I love this group. :-)

Getting married time!!!!! Soooo many things I love about this photo!!

The Avalon Events Center was gorgeously decorated by the talented Bianca from Everlasting Events & Celebrations.

Another thing I loved about Garth + Karlie’s wedding was their father/daughter and mother/son dances. These guys are so loved.

Garth + Karlie – thank you SO SO much for asking me to be your photographer! It truly was the perfect ending to my season, because I couldn’t have asked for a more wonderful couple to spend the day with! I hope you enjoy these images. And please, no more going outside in a strapless dress until spring (or your honeymoon), please, please, please!! :-)

You know how you meet someone and things just click? That’s how I felt when Jackie first emailed me about possibly photographing her wedding. We both met our ‘men’ at SDSU, we both chose Black Hills locations for our weddings, we both drive Subarus, and we both ignore the wind+cold and say ‘we’re fine’ as long as the photos turn out great! ;-)

Thanks, Corey + Jackie for braving the dropping temps and blustery winds for your engagement photos – you don’t even look the least bit chilled! I absolutely cannot wait for your wedding in August!!

p.s. I was SO SO excited to find this one tiny tree with leaves still on it, but it turns out Corey + Jackie can make even the bare trees look good!! :-)