It is so close!

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Well, I wanted to post at least one more time before mine and Gabe's big day.  I'm not sure I'll be able to blog again within the next couple weeks with all the wedding preparations in full force.  We still have to finalize a lot of decor details, get a marriage license, pick people up from the airport, etc.  It is all so much fun and so crazy at the same time.  I must have 100 thoughts going through my head all the time, or that's how I feel. By the way, yes, I will post plenty of pictures on the blog ASAP.  I want you all to see them!! Gabe and I are headed to California for our honeymoon and will be back in business on June 21st.  So I will be out of the office until then.  If you have a photo emergency, email me and I will get back to you if it is before May 25th.  I still have a few odds and ends to take care of (a shoot and a consultation and three weddings!) but I am very excited about not working and focusing on the wedding!  Here are a few pictures, describing life at the moment.  There is another reason we are running around like crazy, headless chickens.  Check it out!These are my wedding shoes.  I love them! Well, look at all those boxes behind my awesome shoes...

One of the reasons we are so busy is because we are packing!  Because we bought a house yesterday!

Here it is!  We are happy homeowners.

Our friends, Joe and Natalie, came over to visit after we closed.  These are their boys, Noah and Benjamin.

Noah and I are close buds.

We are so excited about our house.  Once I get married, moved, and settled I will post some more photos!  Wahoo!  Have a great weekend!

Stephanie and Dave are Already Married!

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Happy Tuesday to you all!  I am running around crazy editing photos and finalizing wedding details.  Today I ordered little boy suspenders, more boutonnieres, and lavender wreaths.  Wahoo!  Our wedding is going to be beautiful and oh so fun! The other day I had a session with fellow photographer and friend, Stephanie Lyell and her husband Dave.  I stumbled upon Stephanie's blog this past winter, loved her photos, found out she was new in town and wanted to have coffee with her!  Stephanie isn't just a connection in the business, she is a wonderful friend.  Dave and Gabe are both in seminary so we also have the Wilmore/Asbury connection.

I love their shoot!  Stephanie looked AWESOME and the park we went to is fabulous for "woodsy" pictures.  Thanks you two!

I think this one above is my favorite.

Jennifer and Steven: Engagement Shoot on the Levee

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I have an urge to say "engagement shoot on the levee" with an Australian accent.  I think it's because I am watching Lost and it's an episode about Claire.  :) Saturday my mom and I drove up to Newport to meet Jennifer and Steven.  I was going to go alone but Mom volunteered to be my driving buddy for the day.  Boy, I am glad she came!  Mom ended up serving as wardrobe master, flash grip, and detail observationist.  I think I just made that word up.  Anyway, thanks Mom!  And here it was Mother's Day yesterday and she helped me!  The shoot went very well!  I have had the opportunity to shoot engagement shoots at a variety of locations this season and I am loving the creative challenges!  Thanks, Jennifer and Steven, for the great time and for letting me "practice" a few shots on you!  I am excited for your Ohio wedding in August!

Mary and Gabe are engaged!

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Here are some of our engagement pictures, hot off the press!  I must say, it is weird being in front of the camera, posing, for your our engagement shoot.  You really have to trust your photographer!  Hehe.  And we trust ours and he delivered!  Andy Olsen is fabulous and I cannot wait for he and Erika to shoot the big day.   Our shoot helped me realize why engagement shoots are so significant.  They are little practice rounds for the wedding day.  I think it is important to be ready for the camera so the "day of" goes as smoothly as possible (PS - the last four pictures were done by Natalie Hagen). My wedding is only four weeks away and it is still so odd that I am the BRIDE.  I have loved this engagement season.  Has it been stressful?  Yes.  Did I take on too many DIY projects?  Yes.  Am I beginning to lose sleep at night, thinking about all the details?  Yes.  However, spending so much time with friends and family and Gabe has been a blast and a complete blessing. I woudn't trade it for anything in the world (except being married).  28 days!