Almost two weeks ago, my friend Halley came in to the coffee shop where I work and we got to talking about our lives lately, what we’re up to, wedding photography, January 2nd…. :-) Halley set up Chad and Brianne a couple years ago and they JUST got engaged and are planning their wedding for this January. Then, Halley set me up with Brianne and her mom that night!

For their engagement session, Chad drove us all around in a canyon near Rapid City – take a good look at all these photos, because I will probably never take my car through that terrain for a session!! :-)

Their engagement story is one of the sweetest I’ve ever heard!! Bri + Chad are very much outdoors people. They’ve done some hunting and fishing together, but Bri had never been night fishing. Bri reeled one fish in and made Chad unhook it for her. Fish are pretty gross to touch, I’m with her on that. Before Chad tossed the line back in, he attached a little something to the end of the line (don’t worry, it wasn’t the ring!). Bri reeled the line back in, pulling up weeds and muck from the bottom and swung it over to Chad again to unhook it. This time, it wasn’t a fish, it was a metal plate with a fish carved onto it . He wiped it off, told Bri there was something written on it and couldn’t make out what it said and got down on one knee, showing it to her as she read “will you marry me?” *awwwwww* :-)

Congrats, you two!!! I’m so excited for your wedding this January!!

Check back this evening for the rest of my favorites from Bri + Chad’s engagement session this weekend!!

I FINALLY am totally and completely unpacked!! I know where everything is in my apartment, I just need to re-arrange a little bit more so that everything is where I want it to be instead of just where it got put when I was unpacking. :-)

My entryway hall:

View of the kitchen and my office from the entryway hall:

I have a dishwasher!!!! And Prairie Berry wine. :-)

I heart Jim.

My dining nook-turned-into-office:

View of the living room/kitchen from my office:

Yes, I kept the green couches.

The living room. Again. From the other corner.

On the left is the hallway to my bedroom and bathroom, on the right is my entry hallway.

My loves:

The bathroom.

The bedroom. The throw quilt on my bed was my apartment warming gift from mom – she’s the best.

Big closet. :-)

Coming up next: Bri + Chad’s engagement sesson!!!!!

Today is my nephew Jonas’ second birthday! This past weekend we celebrated his birthday, and (of course) took lots of photos! :-)

Judging by the look I got when I first took out my camera, he’s starting to recognize me as ‘the aunt who always takes pictures of me.’

He’s really good at saying “cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeese”

Jonas will let anyone read him a book – even Lance!! :-)

Jonas also likes to play outside with rocks.

He (kindof) knows how to do the sign of the cross:

Time to open presents!!!

The  next morning, Jonas (and Lance and Ben) couldn’t wait to start playing with the blocks he got for his birthday.

And soon, it was time for family photos!!!

Ben likes to be my ‘test photo’ subject…

We’re in love…can’t you tell? :-)

Bully Blends Coffee & Tea in Rapid City serves afternoon tea from 4-6 p.m. by appointment only. This past Thursday, a soon-to-be bride and her bridesmaids came to enjoy some savories, scones, sweets and tea.  If you would like more information, click here. If you would like to make a reservation, call Aida at Bully Blends: (605) 342-3559.

A special place is set for each guest:

Aida uses her special blue willow china for each tea party:

Next, you can see the various savories, scones and sweets offered at each party:

Tea is served with sugar, lemon, milk and sugar stir sticks:

There is also clotted cream, lemon curd and jam to go with the scones: