Kelly & Sean - Carlinville Reception

We headed to Carlinville, IL...Sean's home town for a reception that was thrown in honor of Kelly and Sean's recent wedding. The very cool part of this story is the reception was planned and hosted by one of Sean's best friends. Here is Sean with Tunday (I probably spelled that wrong and I apologize). I know Kelly and Sean were so grateful for such a great party. That is true friendship right there!

Back to the Bride and Groom....we hit the streets of Carlinville for some pictures. Carlinville is a VERY small town...but I saw photo op's every where I looked. I would of drug those two out into a corn field if they would of let me...but we settled for the town square.

The beautiful Bride.......

And her handsome Groom........

Lean into it Sean....he was such a trooper...they both were. I love this one!

A friend of the family made the wedding cakes...and I had to get this close up. She made each of these little swirls by hand. There were 4 cakes total and from what I understand it took her like 14 hours. What a labor of love and the cakes were so beautiful.

All four cakes.

A little shot of the "Bling".....

Ok, and I had to add this last one. I lost count by the end of the night of how many people asked if Kelly and I were sisters. It isn't the first time we have heard that. Kelly is my sister in laws best friend, so we have heard it before. So I said....ok let's take a picture with my new sister :) I think it is the eyes.....we both have those "Irish" eyes....and they are "smiling".

Kelly and Sean thank you inviting me into your whirl wind celebration of your marriage. It was such an honor to be there as your photographer but most of all as your friend. I wish you many many years of love and laughter!

Kelly & Sean Part I (well really II)

You probably remember Kelly and Sean from my post a few months ago....well they celebrated their recent nuptials in a big way...with TWO parties. Party #1 was at Kelly's mom and step dad's home in Foristell. It was a horribly hot day, but the property was just beautiful and you can tell all the work that went into everything. First off, the details....yumm-o cupcakes.

Love the natural grass....

Kelly took some of the photos that I took of her and Sean at the ceremony and framed them and put them on the tables....that was probably my favorite part :)

In case you forgot how adorable they are....here is your reminder. Kelly has such beautiful eyes.

Kelly and her adorable niece.

A little game of washers anyone????

There were sooooo many adorable kiddos at this celebration. I have to start of course with my beautiful niece Kearsten....and her Daddy (my lil' bro).

Kelly's son DJ...her other son Ian would do nothing but run from me and my camera...ugh!

More cuties!!

Love this one....love the lighting and what is not to like about a tree swing.

Stay tuned....we took a little trip to Carlinville IL for party #2....great small town with lots of charm.

Boys....Boys...Boys

Amie contacted me to take some pictures of her nephews while they were in town visiting. They were here all the way from Wyoming...or maybe it is Montana...shoot I can't remember. I know it was one of those two amazing states that I want to visit before I die.

Anyway, back to the boys...they were full of energy but completely adorable!!! Jude the youngest was on the go non stop..which kept me on my toes. To be honest as I drove home I prayed that I captured at least a few images of him where he wasn't a blur from running. And my prayers were answered...I loved how these turned out...and my favorites are the playful moments I caught between the two brothers.
Here they are...told you they are adorable. LOVED the green floppy hat!
This one makes me smile....

Julian is such a great big brother.

My second favorite of the day....I love everything about this image.....especially his sweet little expression.

Julian has such a great smile...and such beautiful sparkling blue eyes.

This one cracks me up....Jude was a little sweaty once we took off his hat. But he is just so darn adorable....sweaty hair or not.

My favorite! OMG, I LOVE this image. I am a bit obsessed with it, honestly. I love how he is holding the button on his shirt and I love the little dimples in his knuckles. Love it!! I know...I am a nut :)

What a little heart breaker! And I was so excited when Amie told me she brought some Cardinal gear for the boys to change into.

I love the next set of images....here are the boys playing hide and seek. I love how these turned out. Great interaction and expressions.

Let's go Cardinals! These All Star Arches are popping up every where...love them!

Thank you Amie for sharing your adorable nephews with me while they were in town. Your CD's are on their way to you. :)

Happy 4th of July!

God Bless America! I LOVE the 4th (well in our case the 3rd). It is my favorite Holiday...right up there with Christmas. We have an annual party on the 3rd and my gang looks forward to it all year. Here is the family in our 4th of July best.


Here is the little group of kiddos we had in attendance this year. Every year it is a little different....depending on who can make it. But 6 of these kids have posed for a picture similar to this for years and years. Aren't they an adorable bunch!!

And here they are giving me their best...crazy face.

And my 4 favorite girls in the whole wide world.

I love this one. Riley my youngest is very very afraid of loud noises and we haven't been able to get her out of the house to actually watch the fireworks in a couple years. This year she was very brave and decided to give it a try. She got pretty frightened but was ok as long as she was near someone she loved. Here is Kearsten...the best cousin ever....covering Riley's ears for her. So sweet.

And my 3 beauties....loves of my life.

Mr. Connor getting a push from his Aunt Kellie.

Ok....I really need to brush up on my night photography skills....hey, maybe I will sign up for that night photography class I was thinking about. This picture doesn't do the display justice at all. We are so lucky to live a short block away from a great spot to watch some of the BEST fireworks in all of St. Louis.

Remember the men and women who defend our freedom every day and always remember what a blessing it is to live in this Country of ours. I count it as one of the biggest blessing in my life. There is not another Country I would want to live or raise my family in. Happy 4th!!!

I am so lucky!

I really have been so lucky, I get to photograph some of the most adorable families. I LOVE my family sessions...don't get me wrong, love the brides and grooms...and couples. But families are my favorite. And this family was so awesome....so adorable and so much fun. Of course...having 3 girls myself, I love it when I get a chance to photograph adorable little boys. And Dawn was so creative and brought some fun props...bubbles and sparklers. We headed to my favorite place for pics...New Town. I know...I need to probably branch out a bit...ha ha! But I can't help it...if a client asks for a suggestion...the first place I think of is New Town.

Ok....right of the bat, here is my favorite. Actually this is probably my new all time favorite picture....yep, I went there ;)

Love me some white barn....and I just love the light that comes in behind this barn.

Ok...how flippin cute are they?!?!

This is my second favorite. Caleb had so much fun blowing bubbles with Daddy...and I love love love this one.

I brought the pin wheel...not as cool as the bubbles or the fireworks. :) But Mr. Garrett made it look pretty cool!

Something about this family shot reminds me of the beach...I know, not a drop of water in sight...but I think it was the lighting and their outfits...and Dawn's beautiful blond hair!

Dawn had one request...some pics in front of the fountain. I loved how the "Beach-y" theme carried over here too. Maybe I just need a vacation....I have beaches on the brain.

My favorite of Garrett....love the lighting and his pretty blue eyes.

Here is hot Mom and Dad ;)

This one makes me smile!

Thank you guys for spending your Sunday evening with me. You are such an adorable family and so much fun to watch. Hope to get the opportunity to capture your sweet family moments again in the future!