This weekend we celebrated my sister's 30th birthday and wow, is time speeding by way too fast for everyone else...or is it just me?? It seems like I blink and a year has gone by!

In Kelly's 20's she graduated from college, got married and had THREE children! I'm so excited to see what her 30's bring! (more nieces and nephews for us Kel?? I'm kidding...although that would be fantastic!:))

I really look up to my sister and every day I am utterly amazed by her beauty, her strength, and her patience (among so many other amazing qualities). I am incredibly lucky to not only have her as my sister but also as my best friend.

I love you Kel! :)

I don't know about you, but when we were planning our wedding, picking out the right music was really important to us and one of the many tough decisions to make when planning such a significant day. It was difficult trying to find unique songs that didn't have to do with breaking up or some other sad, depressing topic. So now, when I hear a sweet song I think, "Wow, this would be great for a first dance or wedding ceremony!" I just stumbled across one and thought I'd share. Maybe it would be good for your ceremony or first dance song??:)

The title is "I Have and Always Will" by Dave Barnes. I just downloaded it from Itunes and it's definitely worth the $0.99!

Yesterday I had the privilege to spend the day with my 5-year-old nephew, Adam. It's an annual little thing I do where I take each of my sister's kids on the anniversary of their baptism. So, one day every February Adam and I get to hang out! We decided to venture to the Minnesota Children's Museum and WOW, we had so much fun! I can't even believe all of the energy in that place! It's a kid's dream!! There is so much to see and do - we were running from one activity to another for 4 straight hours! Needless to say, Auntie was struggling to stay awake past 8:00 last night!:)

How cool to dress up as a fire fighter!?

Creating different colors with lights was a hit! Not yet in kindergarten, Adam can read just about everything! During lunch he was figuring out our next plan of action on the museum map. It was very serious business.:) ...and of course he gets anything he wants from his Auntie (including a big jug of chocolate milk)...every kid needs a little energy, right!? I think he had fun :)

I know I've already done 2 postings about Lissa & James, but I just need to do at least one more because I have so many beautiful photos from their day!! Enjoy!

I loved the way James AKA Jimmy:) looked at Lissa during the ceremony... ...and how Lissa loves Jimmy

They just fit together! The limo The Hudson Golf Club Homemade cakes from Lissa's relatives were on each table Gorgeous! This is Amanda & Carl with Lissa and I'm shooting their wedding in July! I can't wait!! The first dance The amazingly talented Jordis with her equally talented brother

Pure bliss!

As I mentioned yesterday this past weekend's wedding was fantastic! The ceremony was at Woodbury's Central Park and with the warm sun and floor to ceiling windows, I completely forgot it was February in Minnesota! Rounding out the evening was a celebration at The Hudson Golf Club. A great moment was when Lissa's cousin sang at the ceremony and for their first dance. And why is this special you ask? Well...her cousin is Jordis Unga. Let me tell you, her voice is twice as amazing live as it was on Rockstar!!

Thank you so much to both James and Lissa's families for letting me be a part of your special day!

I just got home from photographing Lissa and Jimmy's wedding and it was a beautiful winter wedding (and not too cold today)! I will post more about the wedding on Monday, but wanted to show you a few of the highlights!

I just updated the life gallery AGAIN, so check it out and let me know what you think! The new photos are mixed in with the ones that were already posted, so make sure to click through the entire set!

I can't believe I'm doing this, but I was just hanging out of my kitchen window trying to take a picture of tonight's lunar eclipse, so I thought heck, I might as well post what I got. This is probably the lamest, cheesiest photo I've taken in a long time, but it's giving me a good laugh. :) Bottom line is that I need a big, fat 600mm lens. That might have done the trick! (I have now come to realization that my "must have" camera gear list will never end!)

This has been such a great week so far because I'm finally feeling back in the groove and getting so much done! I just finished adding tons of photographs to my "Life" gallery in the Portfolio section of my website so be sure to check it out all 39 of them!

I officially have a new favorite song that I have "accidentally" played 18 times in the past two days (according to my Itunes play count)...my poor husband. :) The band is from Wellington, New Zealand and this particular song reminds me of the warm, calming summer sun...I don't think I've ever been so anxious for spring as I am now!! If you'd like to check out the song on Itunes - it's called "Flashback" by Fat Freddy's Drop. You won't regret it. :)

Happy President's Day!

One thing that I really got a kick out of while traveling in New Zealand was the signage...can you blame me!? :)

Happy Heart Day everyone!

Seven years ago I traveled to New Zealand as a student on the same study-abroad program I now teach photography for. When I was there the first time, I only packed a small camera because the program involves a lot of traveling, some backpacking and tons of crazy adventures (sky diving, whitewater rafting, scuba diving, etc.) Well, with this small, film camera I took a photograph that I loved and have always wanted to duplicate with my fancy Canon 5D. You can imagine my excitement as we drove up to the same rock climbing spot where I climbed 7 years ago and found this perfect scene! I was in heaven...it was the perfect ending to an amazing adventure.

Here is the famous spot - just as I had remembered it.

Yours truly...beaming after finding "the scene" again:)

I love the depth in this photograph

I have been playing catch-up since I returned back to the States this weekend. (And trying to adjust to the 19-hour time difference!) I have been spending most of my time reconnecting with clients and making sure all business matters are taken care of. (And thank you to my husband for holding down the fort while I was away ;) )

I am also trying to catch-up on world events and what's going on in the primary elections. I know most of you have probably seen this video already but it really connected with me when I saw it today.

I love all of the comments you are all making on this blog! It's outstanding (and so funny that the most popular post has been the one with Marky Mark!) I'm thinking about flying to the LA airport just to hang out every once in awhile to do a little star searching. On my way out of town in January, I walked by Forest Whitaker, but didn't have the guts to ask for a photo for some reason. There will be no more of that though! Watch out stars - if you're famous, I'm taking a photo with you!! ha! Ok, so my last days in Christchurch, NZ were picture-perfect...as usual. Coming home to -30 degrees was shocking to say the least! Christchurch is an artsy, romantic city with the most beautiful botanical gardens! Also, the excellent rock climbing and Tasman Sea nearby makes it the "perfect" city...I was in heaven!

I loved the phone booths in Christchurch - so cute!

The climbing was fantastic!