Roadtrip through the Southeast: The Biltmore

On our last day in NC, we spent the day touring the Biltmore Estate. It was, in a word, "immaculate." We toured the beautiful home and expansive gardens, and after all that walking, we needed fluids! So we headed to the winery for a little tasting (and purchasing).

Roadtrip through the Southeast: Blue Ridge Parkway

Back in June, we headed south to Florida for a good friend's bridal shower/bachelorette party(blogged earlier). On the way back to the great state of MI, we spent a week driving through GA, NC, and TN. Here are a few photos from the Blue Ridge Parkway!

One Year Anniversary!

(Playing catch up)

For our 1 year, we had an amazing dinner and our anniversary cake! I had to try a couple of ring shots...

My Favorite Girl Is Gettin' MARRIED!

This past weekend, Kyle and I took a roadtrip to St. Pete, FL to celebrate with one of my best friends as she counts down to her big day! Erin and I have been friends for more than 10 years... she's one of those true friends that are hard to come by and so amazing to have. Love ya, girl!

Here are a few shots from Erin's shower. I am SO looking forward to her wedding on August 8, 2009!

ONE YEAR!

One year ago, on June 21, 2008, Kyle and I joined our lives as one in front of God, our family, and our friends. It was the happiest day of my life; I married the man of my dreams. The past year has been full of adventure, adjustment, and incredible memories, and I can't imagine what my life would be like had our lives never crossed paths. As I sit here looking back on the first year of our lives together, I am so thankful that I get to call the most incredible man on Earth my husband. I love you dear, and I can't wait for all the memories we make in all our years together to come!

Photos by Dan Johnson

The Little Sweet Pea

Of course we had to get some of Caroline by herself. After all, she was the whole reason that the family got together this weekend. I don't know how, but she manages to get cuter and cuter by the day. She is the reason I have 916 pictures on my camera from this weekend!

Family Photos

Alyssa wanted a few photos of her and her daughter, so we found this great tree on the church's property and snapped a few. Hope you like them Alys! We think they are precious... I just love the innocence of the first one.

Then we had to grab a few of the grandparents...

After the grandparents, I wanted one of just the girls. Here's 3 generations of Kraft's. After that, I thought it'd be cute to get one of her mother and I stealing kisses. The result? Well... she pushed us away!! Too cute!

After the Baptism

After church on Sunday, we grabbed a few family photos on the front steps of the church. My favorites are the last two, with Caroline peering around the column looking for her momma. Kyle got those two shots, and I'm really glad he did! Her face is just classic. :)

The Baptism

Caroline was baptized on her first birthday, and Kyle and I were so lucky to be there to witness it. She was very vocal while the pastor was speaking, giggling and squealing (in her typical fashion). She was really great for him though... didn't make a peep as he took her in his arms and baptized her. What a blessed, glorious day we shared!

Sunglasses!

This weekend, Kyle and I headed to Mississippi for our niece's first birthday. Here she is at her party, right after she opened one of her presents: sunglasses. How cute is she?!?!

Stay tuned... many more photos of this cutie are on the way!

My Own Personal Photoshoot

Yesterday, I modeled for Kyle as he got experience and I got some headshots for my business website. (I am a wedding planner, in case you are new to finding us!) We must have looked like total goofballs going from place to place around our yard, camera and props in tow. Kyle actually dragged out a ladder to get some of these "from above" shots. I think he did a FABULOUS job! I am way impressed. :)

I could only hold a smile for so long. At some point, I began making funny faces to relax my mouth muscles and prevent the "fake smile" that occurs after holding your smile too long. Fortunately for me, Kyle caught me in the act.

A Few More Cuties

These little guys have been around the shelter for awhile. We took updated photos today, hoping they get good homes soon! They all have such sweet personalities!

Warner and Doodle Bug


Rogue

Check Out These Cuties!

This week, we headed back to the shelter to grab a few more photos. Chauncey has since been adopted, but the others are still in need of homes.

Almond and Tatoo


Chauncey and Trip

One More Round with Nature

It seems that my husband and I must lead boring lives, as all we photograph are dogs and nature. Ha! Well, I suppose that's all we've really had the opportunity to photograph. Although, Kyle has mentioned he wants to go out and shoot old dilapidated buildings and other industrial ...creations. And we (eventually) plan to get some shots of Kyle's co-worker's little guy, who we babysit on occasion. That should be interesting! Until then, I couldn't help but take some photos of the dandelions that are taking over Southwest Michigan. I have very fond memories of these pretty weeds!

And one last shot of this season's most beautiful flower. We headed to Tulip Time with my mom this past weekend; she got to come up and visit from Florida. For anyone who hasn't heard of Tulip Time (quite likely if you aren't from Michigan), it occurs annually in a little Dutch town called Holland. Tulips absolutely cover the town and little Dutch dancers dance in the street. It is a gorgeous site to see.

More Fun with the Season

This time, it was Kyle who headed out to the front yard to get some practice, and I think he got some pretty good shots! His favorite? The first one below. He calls it "art." Well, as we learned at the local Art Hop this past Friday, apparently "art" is cutting magazine ads up into weird shapes and taping them to the wall. If that's art, this sure is!

Springtime Flowers

One of the best things about Michigan is the beautiful tulips that pop up all over the place in Spring. Even better: they require no green thumb to sprout from the ground. That's my kind of flower! Over the last couple weeks, these flowers have popped up all around our house, and our neighborhood. They are so beautiful! They serve as a reminder to me that I've made it through another winter and the gorgeous, hot, summer days are not too far away.

New Dogs

I am learning that there is a never-ending stream of dogs arriving at the shelter, and it's an extremely heart-breaking discovery. I do delight, however, in seeing the dogs I've photographed be adopted into loving homes. It is such an incredible feeling to walk into the shelter and find that a dog you've come to know and love is no longer occupying a kennel... they've become a family member somewhere.
Here are some of the new sweeties that have arrived.

Tamara and Jill


Kiku and Darcy


Fedora and Alexexia

Bradford

Cameo

Derby Girl