Up North

We traveled up north Wisconsin this weekend to have a little fun on the lake. The weather was terrible at times and just barely warm enough at others, but we managed to have a great time anyway. My husband loves to fish and apparently it's genetic. Both children will cast a line if given the chance. Jackson will bait his hook, cast out himself and remove his catch... Caitlin not so much, but she's getting there.

Here are a few pics from our weekend and soon to come... photos of my five year old doing something most adults can't even do!

Stay tuned!

Catching Fireflies

So my nine year old daughter had her first sleepover party last night. I had been dreading it, honestly, because I wanted to do all the right things. Serve the right food - provide the right amount of entertainment - but not too much or she'll think I'm hovering - and encourage the group to go to sleep at just the right time. Turns out I had nothing to worry about. Cate's pals had a great time just being girls. There were a few games... a little pizza... a little cake... a little gift opening... and a lot of fun. The big hit of the evening? Catching Fireflies! The girls ran around our yard at dusk trying to catch one of these summertime staples... once their jar was full they let them all go - content to watch them fly off into the night. I should have known that when children get together all they really need is the opportunity to let their imaginations light up - just like the fireflies.

Nine Years Ago Today...

Happy Birthday to my daughter who turned nine years old today! Cate is kind and generous, an artist and a reader, a friend and caretaker, a big sister and loving spirit. In her nine short years she's showed me how to see the good in people, the funny in any situation and how to never give up. I am truly blessed to call her mine... and I can't wait to see what the next nine years will bring.

A special Thank You to Cate's Birthday Buddy. A special person in my life who happens to have had a July 21st birthday before Caitlin joined us. This perfectly pink arrangement of flowers was delivered today courtesy KSOK and it is beautiful. Cate's first flower delivery was a big hit and put a smile on that face I love so much. You're the best!

Brides and their Bouquets

One of the first things I look for when I get to the site of a wedding is the flowers. Some people swoon over shoes... others drool over the dress... I am fond of flowers. Nothing adds to the richness and character of a wedding day like a perfectly arranged bouquet. I sometimes go through the photographs I've taken at any one wedding and am a little embarrassed at the number of images I've collected of the flowers alone. Dozens sometimes! The only thing that I'm drawn to more are flower girls. I'm guessing I come across as a bit of a stalker when it comes to little ones, dressed up and of course, carting around a few flowers.

Lakefront Wedding

What can be more beautiful than the exchanging of wedding vows on a cliff overlooking a lake at sunset? Not much, if you ask me... and I'm guesing Laura and Brian would agree. Congratulations to this driven, focused, funny couple - who pronounced their love for each other in a very intimate gathering of their closest friends and loved ones. Here are a few photos from friday night... so many more will follow.

Family Fun on the 4th

We headed up north for the 4th of July this year - and I mean WAY up north. Five hours in the car each way was just a bit more than I'd bargained for - but once we arrived things couldn't have been better! Beautiful blue skies, sweet smiling faces, the lake, the boats the food the company ... all was just about perfect.