When Tarrise + Amy’s scheduled engagement session time called for rain (which ended up including a bit of snow), we agreed a sunrise session would be better weather-wise. We had no idea the lake we picked for photos would be steaming when we got there! I think it’s safe to say, the early wake-up was TOTALLY worth it!!!
Tarrise + Amy – Thanks again for getting up so early! I hope you enjoyed your weekend in the Black Hills, and I can’t wait to see you again in August!!!
September is always a favorite thanks to open-windows weather, our anniversary, and new this year: fresh produce!
Milo quickly switched from shaking his head ‘no’ to clapping and doing ‘so big.’ We love that we can sit him in the middle of the room, leave, come back, and find him still sitting in the middle of the room. If he’s on his tummy, he will quickly army-crawl over to the door stop or nearest book. Everything still goes in his mouth, and his third tooth has finally poked through.
Elodie is continuing to add to her vocabulary and even putting small sentences together. “Off go, bye house.” “Oh, mom.” “Love you, da.” She is getting the hang of her tricycle, but still likes a push to get going. ‘Bat ball’ is a favorite outside game, although she has different ideas every day of how to play.
We celebrated our fifth anniversary with a quiet day at home and it was wonderful. No work, no errands, just naps and walks and meals together. And playing with the kids, of course.
Our ‘new’ house (can you believe it’s been a year now since we moved?!) has an apple tree, and we also planted a few vegetables. We now have a freezer full of sliced apples (thanks to my parents for their help), and we are very tired of eating green beans for a while. :-)
Joe + Victoria live in New York City, so for their engagement photos, they wanted to be surrounded by nature and animals, two things that are hard to come by in their daily lives. We had so much fun feeding a kind, gentle burro and trying to decipher the prairie dogs calls. What a beautiful, beautiful evening in Custer State Park!
Joe + Victoria – I absolutely can not wait for your wedding this winter! I’ve already ordered a lovely snowfall with reasonable temperatures for your day. ;-)
Doug and Heather had a mid-week destination wedding at Sylvan Lake in the Black Hills and it was SUCH a beautiful day to get married! Something you really can’t plan when you schedule an outdoor wedding over a year in advance! While I love early morning and late evening light the best, Sylvan Lake really does shine under a bright blue sky!!
My good friend Mary from Your Joyful Wedding performed the ceremony, adding an extra level of special. The way she tailors a wedding ceremony to each and every couple she works with is so beautiful – it’s as though she’s known the couple for years! 
I usually save these kinds of photos for the annual ‘best of MOMENTS’ roundup at the beginning of each year, but this little guy wanting snuggles from his daddy is just too cute not to share twice! :-)
Can I just say how much I LOVED Heather’s two-piece wedding gown? The beaded bodice was gorgeous, but that flowing skirt had me oohing and aahing all afternoon!!
#modelstatus
Doug + Heather, thank you so so much for having me photograph your wedding! Doug, I hope your hunting trip went well, and Heather, I hope you had a nice relaxing time to yourself! ;-)
Jason + Gena escaped to the Black Hills to get married with their closest relatives in attendance, and it was the most perfectly imperfect day. Their flowers got left behind, but someone fashioned a bouquet from Safeway flowers at the last minute. It rained on and off, but we all managed to stay dry. Deer and turkeys tried to photobomb, and you were more than happy to share your spotlight!
Jason + Gena – what a pleasure to work with you on your wedding day! I loved your small, intimate, laid-back wedding. I could have kept you all evening until the sun set! I hope you had a wonderful dinner with your family, and a fun reception back home! :-)