logan | 1st year

Hard to believe this little man was born a little over a year ago! Time sure flies. Before we know it all of our kids will be grown and graduating high school, getting married, and having babies of their own. Ugh...the thought...so sad to think how fast it goes but now's the time to squeeze them tight and love them to pieces. I'm sure Logan is no different and gets lots of kisses from his Momma daily.

I actually met my husband through Logan's daddy. In attempts to make a long story short (not usually possible for me), I was just 16 and was attending the Viroqua Wild West Days with some cousins of mine. Justin (my husband) was friends with Will (Logan's dad) who's sister Elly was friends with my cousins and was planning on meeting up with my cousins at the festival. Confused yet? Anyway, everybody was checking out all the cowboys there except me. I was checking out everyone else. Then it happened....the cutest guy I had ever laid eyes on came walking across the field. I instantly went giddy and swelled up with nervousness when he sat just two seats down from me. I'm pretty sure I stared at him for what seemed like forever with googly puppy dog eyes. I remember nudging one of my cousins and saying "Lacey...oh my...cute guy alert two people down. And he's talking to Angie!" She's like "Um, that's Justin...the one I was telling you about that was meeting us here today." And that was it. It was love at first sight. Pathetic, I know but I was inseparable ever since. I'm pretty sure I followed him around all weekend thinking he probably thought I was a crazy stalker but I found out a few months later he secretly liked it and the rest is history :)

The day we took Logan's photos was sooooo blazing hot it wasn't even funny. I had to let my camera sit outside for about 10 minutes just to adjust to the temperature difference between the house and outdoors. I'm pretty sure there was about a 40 degree difference. But, for it being as hot as it was Logan was such a good trooper for pictures and we were able to get a lot of cute ones.

This fly really liked him! I actually photoshopped it out of his hair in a bunch of pictures, but this one was too cute so I had to leave it on with his facial expression.

Kristine was more worried about Will cooperating than she was about Logan for pictures. Will is not the biggest picture fan....as most guys aren't...but Will did really good so no complaints from me!  High five to Will :)

 I seriously love this one. I see big giant canvas wrap!

 Or this one...

And finally to end the night: cake smash! Although Logan wasn't much into the cake or the smashing of it. And it was getting pretty dark by this time so my natural light was fading. The cake must have overwhelmed him. For his birthday party he just had a single cupcake and he must have thought it was more his size and dug right into that one.

Happy 1st Birthday Logan!

Hugs,
Em

confessions of a second shooter | josie + eric

Josie + Eric's day was gorgeous...hot, but gorgeous.  I was so stoked to be joining Krystal Muellenberg Photography for another wedding {I must be doing something right if I haven't got kicked to the curb yet, haha}!  This one was held at the lovely Glacier Canyon Lodge that's part of the Wilderness Resorts in WI Dells. And you know what else is in WI Dells?!?! ....Dunkin' Donuts! OK, so I'm a bit obsessed but their caramel lattes are my absolute fav. It was a MUST that I make a pitstop for a tasty beverage on the way home. So....back to Josie + Eric. They made such a gorgeous couple and I had a total blast helping document their day. Their dance party was the biggest, baddest, and bestest I have ever seen. I have never seen so many people on the dance floor before in my life. Kudos to Screamin' Scott for keeping the party rockin'.  If you're looking for a DJ and non-stop action, seriously check him out!

Funny story of the day: well, not really funny, just a story...but I like to tell stories. So, the day before the wedding I usually look through the couple's engagement session photos (if they had any) that were taken by Krystal. I did the same for Josie and Eric and thought to myself, "man, Eric really looks familiar....and I swear I know some Ramirez's." So, did a bit of facebook stalking (yes, I admit to it) and looked up mutual friends. Then it dawned on me that I actually knew Eric's grandma and some of his aunts & uncles and cousins. Many of them live around Gays Mills/Soldiers Grove which is my hometown.  His grandma Ramirez used to serve me food at school and I worked for a few years with his Aunt Tammy when I was in high school and college and was in the same class as his cousin Miguel. So, although I didn't actually know Eric...I did get this vibe that I somehow strangely knew him. What a small world. Ok...I'm done with my ramblings...onto the picture show :)

Congrats Josie + Eric! And super big thanks to Krystal for "putting up with me" again and letting me join you!

Hugs,
Em