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:

This weekend I had the privilege of second-shooting Jael’s (my former boss) wedding!! Everything was so picture-perfect – but what else would you expect for a photographer’s wedding! :-)

The wedding and reception were held at Buffalo Ridge Resort in Gary, South Dakota – Jael and her girls also spent the night before the wedding at the motel and all got ready together that morning. The resort has such picturesque areas that it was SO easy to get awesome photos!! I knew exactly what I wanted to do with the dress when I saw the lobby:

Jael relaxing and waiting for the girls to finish getting ready before she put her dress on:

Check out the bling!!

Their first look was SO romantic! I may have teared up a little at this point…

Jael and Brian had a horse-drawn carriage for the wedding and the crew showed up early enough to pose for a few photos:

The joy of second-shooting… :-) Here’s Missy and Dustin of ML Portraits from Watertown

Jael’s sisters had purple dresses, friends had green dresses, the guys wore their own suits and the boutonnieres were made by Jael.

Live music was performed before, during and after the ceremony and all through the reception:

The guys walked up to the ceremony while the girls got to ride in the carriage:

Brian wasn’t the only one excited to see Jael walk down the aisle with her parents:

Dear Hagmans Bakery,

I love you. And your wedding cakes. And your brownie bites. Please open a branch in Rapid City.

Sincerely, Laura.

Brian’s friends are such great guys, with even better stories!! Thanks for sharing them in your toasts!! :-)

Jael’s father and sister Bethany performed a song that he had written about his ‘little girl.’

Jael + Brian – Thanks so much for having me at your wedding! It’s truly an honor to photograph a couple so in love (and so talented)!! Hope you’re having a great honeymoon in Mexico!!!

Today is my third day living in Rapid City and it is great! I started working at Bully Blends Coffee & Tea Shop yesterday and I came home to my apartment and Lance made me supper. It’s so nice living close to him for a change!! I promise to get some photos up next week of my apartment once I get things unpacked and decorated. I will be back around Brookings this weekend for Jael‘s wedding, so keep an eye out for photos from that, too!!

Have a great Labor Day weekend!!

I first met Kendra when we were getting ready to go on a spring break mission trip our freshman year of college. Dave came along a couple years later as the new music guy at the newman center who helped whenever he could to either sing or play guitar (he’s awesome at both) and most times Kendra would be on piano (she’s awesome at that). I remember playing board games over at Kendra’s house with some friends one evening and Dave showed up! (I still only knew him as the new music guy, but eventually I remembered his name :-)) As the night went on, people went home one by one and Dave was one of the last people to leave. It wasn’t long after that night that Dave kept showing up more often and spending more and more time with Kendra.

A couple weeks ago, I was having lunch with my friend Becky (also Kendra’s best friend since they were little kids) and we were talking about how it wouldn’t be much longer before Dave and Kendra get engaged. Sure enough…that weekend he proposed!!

Since they have only been engaged for a week and a half, their excitement level was still pretty high for taking photos!! I think that smiles are always bigger, and hugs and kisses last longer when the couple is just newly engaged (or married). :-) Between almost every photo, Dave would give Kendra an extra kiss on the cheek or hug her a little tighter. Kinda made me want to go in for a group hug, but I have to keep some professional boundaries…

Thanks, Dave + Kendra for having me do your engagement photos!!! Best of luck planning your wedding this May!!