Chicago Botanic Gardens

Recently we went to the Chicago Botanic Gardens to celebrate my dear friend Emily's 21st birthday. The day was gorgeous and what better place to spend it? I had never been there when the roses were in bloom, so it was a treat to see all the beautiful varieties. My favorite garden there is the English Walled Garden... I still want to go back with some of my historical outfits for a photo shoot!

Enjoy the photos!

Lavender always makes the best photos, even if it hasn't bloomed yet!

This is one of my favorite photos from the day.

By the way... Samantha over at Sunshine is having a delightful giveaway of some lovely jewelry! Check it out here!

People I Love

Ok, folks, prepare yourselves for a very photo-heavy post. A couple weeks ago I did a photoshoot with a church family, who just so happen to have some of THE cutest children upon the face of the earth. You've seen them before on this blog, but since they have a talent for growing cuter by the day, I'm sure you'll be happy to see them again. :-)

I came home with 600 pictures. SIX HUNDRED. (Okay, 597). Burst mode + fidgety kids will do that to you. And then I ruthlessly chopped it down to 300. And you only get to see 39, you poor things.

And I just have to tell you that I finished all that chopping and got them all edited by the next night. I was impressed with myself. And with Lightroom's batch edit function. :-) All right... here we go!

 

We started off with some more candid shots on the swingset

And then off to the corner of the yard for posed shots

Gotta love cheesy smiles

And silly faces!

*love*

(Too bad I'm not 18 years younger so I could grow up and marry him)

The baby woke up and joined the party!!!

A favorite. I just can't get over the hair.

What did I tell you? Cuteness personified.

Hugs for "Aunt Tara"

AHHH!

She sparkles.

*melt*

If those faces didn't brighten your day... I'm afraid you're a hopeless case.

Purple Lovelies

Fresh Tomato Mozzarella Salad with Balsamic Reduction

Allie | Newborn

Last month Wendy and I were privileged to be able to do a newborn session for one of the families from church. Though this one went a little differently than our previous one, in that little Miss Allie screamed her head off for the first 2/3 of the shoot, I still really enjoyed myself and would definitely like to do more newborns in future. Babies... I love 'em. And I tend to want to adopt every single one that I hold. Thankfully their mothers intervene or I'd have one full house...

Big Sister wanted to help :-)

And remembered her modeling skills from last time! :-)

We convinced Mom to get in front of the camera and I'm so glad she did!