Nolan- Almost 1 year photos ;)

So my first thought when I hopped out of my car and laid my eyes on this cute little guy was...WHAT BEAUTIFUL EYES!  He was so cute and waived at me which melted my heart right off the bat! I don't know what it is, I have always loved little girls and thought that would be all I wanted ( it will be a while but still), but something has changed.  Every time I meet one of these baby boys I get a warm feeling inside and can't get enough of them. Nolan will be 1 at the end of September and let me tell you, I have never seen someone so happy about being able to walk.  He thought he was outsmarting me, he would be running towards me and then just like that, he would turn around!  Or, he would look up at me with those baby blues and as soon as I brought my camera up, turn his head around.  Not only is he cute, but he is a smart little bugger.  Karen and Brian are one of the sweetest couples I have met.  You can tell that there is so much love in their hearts for Nolan, and you can definitely tell they are great parents. I love this job, it makes me so happy being able to meet new people and their bundles of joy.  This is the type of family that makes me so excited for the future. Thanks Brian for letting Karen introduce you to the world of non studio photography :) I hope you guys had fun and I hope you like your sneak peek ;)

Happy 30th to my sis and camp fun!

So it is now Saturday and I am stuck at work on this beautiful day!  I can't complain though since I WAS camping for like 5 days this whole week basically ;)  Yesterday I had a nice lunch outside at one of my favorite places noodles and company with my mom and sis(Cindy).  Then when I got home we went to our other favorite restaurant, Salvators! It is hard with me and Cindy, we never see eachother, she has been away from home for as long as I can remember. I miss her and it is hard to keep that close bond sometimes but last night we had a good time together and had an even better talk :)  She currently lives in NYC and was married last summer. She is starting to get that itch to have a baby but it is a little hard when you live in such a big city.  Her husband has an amazing job there at AMC, he used to do the photography at Showtime, so you can pretty much guess he doesn't want to leave. My sister wants to settle down and move back home and that is where I want her too!  I told her she has to move back before she has any kids so we can have them together, but she definitely has some time for me to catch up ;) Anyway, here are some pics from the trip and Cindy was a good sport for her 30th bday! Me and my mom went and bought a bunch of silly decorations before we left and then I was mad when I woke up to these signs my dad made on his own feeling like he ruined my surprise!  It was okay though, mine were prettier ;)  So my sister woke up to 42 of these signs printed, they were even in the women's bathroom, and some other unexpected places ha.

 Here are mine we hung later in the day when we made Rick take her on a romantic walk while we set up :)

My mom...can you tell where we get the picture taking skills from?

Everytime we go camping we have to make "pizza crappers" that's what everyone calls them, I have no idea why! ha

 YUMMMM...Look at that finished product :0

The girls hanging out in the camper, that is my bed behind them. Love it (I know I am a nerd)!

One of the houses I liked in Port Austin

We stopped to get some pics of the sunset, and there was this lonely pink cloud...

Me, my sis and Jaimie:)

Row of Pink Clouds...

My cousin Josh (representing Showtime) and his Fiance Mel

Me, Alyssa and Linds :)

Straight from the camera! Love you Cindy, hope you had a great bday :)

Camping Sneak Peek ;)

Can I just tell you I love my family.  We just got back from camping yesterday and we had an awesome time.  Of course this whole summer was extremely hot and muggy and as soon as we get to Port Austin it is one of the coldest weeks all summer!  The first day there was my sisters bday, we had a little surprise party for her but I will blog about that later.  On Tuesday we had our canoe trip!  It was still cloudy and not too warm but we had a really good time and I definitely did not get first place this time around.  It was me and my cousin Alyssa and we probably have the skinniest/wimpiest arms out of anyone.  We were last and when we finally got to our destination everyone was making fun of us and clapping, HAH!  This pic below is from our last night there, it was right before we went to our favorite Ice Cream place, Grindstones!  It was so windy when we got back to the campsite some of us were wearing our winter coats around the campfire!!!  Despite the freezing/windy weather we still stayed out there past midnight :)  Since I had to catch up on the Bachelor Pad when I got home I didn't have time to get too elaborate with my photos so I picked my fave one from this weekend.  PS. Elizabeth NEEDS to go home!!!  Anyway, this is me and my sis who is now at the ripe old age of 30 ;)  Happy Friday everyone!!!

5 More Hours

Off to work before the big trip.  Yesterday I was doing my laundry, and let me tell you, it has been way too long. Not only were 98% in the washer and dryer, but they were in the washer and in the broken dryer.  So yes, all my clothes are wet and I needed to get ready for camping!  I had way too much to do and then this happened.  So today, thanks to the best mom in the world she was going to take them to my aunts to dry.  I also brought a brand new book by Jane Green, one of my favorite authors and some gag gifts for my sisters bday hehe.  I know they are cheezy but Cindy is really crazy about that stuff and hates it so it will make it that much more funny! I am not evil I swear ;)  With all of these crazy things happening I took some pics yesterday right after it rained which is always fun, and did some packing.  Can't wait till I am with my fam tonight eating smores and sitting around the campfire.  I will be gone till Thursday, I am excited to share all my photos with you when I get back, happy Sunday!

And we are off!

~Wish List~

So one day, HOPEFULLY, I will get to move out of my parents house ;)  I mean I love living with my parents and all but I think it should be time soon to get some new roommates, or none at all! This day might be a while but I know when I finally do I have a pretty big wish list for it!  To say my style for living has changed dramatically would be an understatement.  When I was in college I loved everything brand new, plain, no character.  Once I moved to Chicago this all changed.  I lived in a sweet apartment above Carabou coffee with my best friend Jill.  It had hardwood floors, crown molding, and I even had an exposed brick wall in my room!  Most apartments are like this in Chicago.  There are also those million dollar walk up brownstones that I would walk by and look in the windows (kinda creepy I know) and dream that it was mine.  Living in Chicago really made me appreciate the vintage houses with character, even if they need a little tlc.  I love real estate, because of my job in Chicago I had pretty much been in every highrise downtown.  That isn't really my style, they are more cookie cutter, what I would really dream of is one of those brownstones with my own steps and possible ( prob pushing it) a backyard.  This was one thing that is pretty impossible there to have, but now that I am in great old Michigan now at least I can have that;)  I have a goal board above my computer in my "home office" slash bedroom, slash living room.  On this board I have pictures of people I love and some things I want and dream of having one day ;)  I didn't have time to take my pics for this blog but I just did some google searches, what can I say, it was reallllly slow at work today :D

I absolutey LOVE tutor houses. Some things I would want would be a wood front door/garage door, vines would be cool and I love those windows!

I love this Chimney!  Another must have is TREES, and a corner lot of course;)

This reminds me of a Disney Movie House

I also like the old Colonial style houses and nets not forget Bungalows!!!!

Big Porch!

Awesome....

Love Windows! This is one of my Faves

Some Kitchens I liked...

Lets not forget my own office, the corner in my room is just not cutting it!

This reminds me of Chicago :)

I had to put this pic in, I love these windows and this reminds me of my favorite season!

And this is what will be in the driveway ;) White with Tinted Windows Baby!

Ya this may be a pretty big wish list but a girl can dream!

Now off to hang out with my sis, she is home from NYC and camping tomorrow!

Have a good weekend everyone :)

It is that time of the year!

Yesterday I asked my mom where my dad went, "to go get the popup" she says!!!!  You know what that means, camping in 2 days!!!!! Yes, it is that time of year, which unfortunately I missed last year because I couldn't leave Chicago.  My sister will be turning 30 while we are there so I have to bring a party to her, which will also be a huge treat ( maybe not for her though ;))  My uncle Pete is also able to go which I am so thankful that this is the year I will get to go :)  We go every year, my aunts, uncles, and cousins.  We have been going every summer since I was little, of course the activities change a little bit as you get older but there is never a dull moment.  Me and my cousin Jaimie used to sit in the pond for hours catching frogs!  We would sit there and wait for their little eyes to pop up and SNAP they were in our hand, and then in our bucket, hehe.  One year, my sister's boyfriend at the time was DEATHLY afraid of frogs, which is very strange to me, they are so cute!  So me and Jaimie ( my cousin and partner in crime) decided to unleash them in his tent!  My sister was so mad she didn't talk to us the whole day but it was worth it!!!  We also have canoe trips and race each other!  One year I remember I was paired with one of my uncles and he said "I don't want Kathy on my team, she won't be a big help"!  Well I heard that and was about to prove him wrong, and I did!!!  I busted out my tiny little arms and pushed them so fast and we won, not against a couple canoes, but probably about 12.  Yes my family is BIG!  The other thing I love is sitting around the campfire, it is getting too small to fit all of us now but we manage.  We try to play some games of telephone, one the little kids always has to change it completely but it is always something interesting.  It is so great just relaxing and sitting around until the wee hours of the night getting yelled at by the park ranger to keep it down.  

Anyway, so about my night.  My dad brought home the popup camper and let me tell you I LOVE it.  My boyfriend once said, "so if someone told you, you could have a popup or a really nice brand new huge camper, you would pick the popup??".  And what did I say? ABSOLUTELY!  I love them, you unzip all the windows, read a book and feel the cool breeze. It is the perfect middle choice.  Tents are roughing it for me, ha.  Motor homes don't even feel like your camping, so yes the popup is the perfect choice:)  So last night I was finally able to relax, and me and my mom ordered takeout from one of my favorite restaurants, Salvatore's!  And of course I didn't forget my favorite drink, DR. PEPPER! So while my dad got the camper ready, me and my mom had a nice little meal in the sunroom :)  My sister comes home tomorrow and then we are off on Sunday to Port Austin! Can't wait to show you some pics from my trip, so you can see why I love it so much :)  Happy Friday!!!

Don't get too excited, this is my mom's Jeep.  One day I WILL have one though ;)

I was bored in the car waiting for my mom to get the takeout, and yes Purple is my favorite color and these are my fave earrings :)

YUMMY....

I drink this like water...

AHHH can't wait!!!