The back-to-school sales have started and Christmas decor has taken over Hobby Lobby, but I’m still enjoying every moment of summer I can get my hands on!! Here are a few things I’ve been enjoying this month!

1. Angostura Recreation Area – In my opinion, this is the best beach in South Dakota!

2. Splash Bombs – way better than the water toys in the dollar section of Target…

3. the first scoop of peanut butter – It’s one of my favorite parts about living by myself. :-)

4. NoiseTrade – I’ve gotten lots of music from here by Jenny & Tyler, and now Ben Rector and Steve Moakler have albums available for free downloads! Just type in your email address and zip code and they’ll email you the link to download your free zip file. Ta da!!

Running your own business is like a never-ending to-do list. Lucky for me, I love lists and crossing things off when I’ve accomplished something. But it’s also difficult for me to know when it’s okay to take a break and not think about what I should to add to my list.

So yesterday I told myself I NEEDED to relax, give my eyes a rest from the computer, and get myself some new tan lines. I went outside, I turned on my iPod and I had the pool all to myself… for about 15 minutes before this older guy with a big belly sat across the pool from me, rubbed sunscreen all over his body, then laid on his belly and pulled up his swim shorts to tan the backs of his thighs.

And that, my friends, what I get for taking a break from work and ignoring my to-do list. White, old man thighs.

That’s right, they love me so much they came to stay with me in my one-bedroom apartment for an entire weekend!! We went to Dinosaur Park, went swimming, went to Storybook Island, had a picnic, played at the park, and of course, TOOK PICTURES!!

Jonas will be four years old in less than two months!!

Jonas loved Dinosaur Park – as soon as we ran up to one dinosaur, he would spot the next one and run to it. Pretty much the fastest trip to Dinosaur Park ever.

The next day we went to Storybook Island. Same thing happened again – Jonas ran from one storybook scene to the next. Isaac was a bit more laid back – as in he can’t run yet so it was much easier to grab photos of him. :-)

He is 11 months old and he loves to pull himself up your legs and grab your hands and start walking!

After bath time, Lance went to pick up some pizza for supper and we had a chance to get some more cute pictures showing off Isaac’s new teeth and haircut! Remember when he had almost black hair when he was born??

The background is my ‘grandma quilt’ – she always made crazy quilts with her fabric scraps and a couple years ago for Christmas, my mom finished two of her unfinished crazy quilts and gave them to me and Ben. Isaac will never know his Great Grandma Braun, but he is certainly as cuddly as her quilts! :-)

My brother got a Nook for father’s day, but I have a feeling someone else is getting a lot of use out of it, too. Jonas is definitely his father’s son. :-)

Thanks for coming and visiting me, boys!

July was incredibly busy. In the best way possible. When I was planning to share July’s edition of ‘laura loves…’ I had so many fun sessions to share with you, and then I went home for some needed family time, and then another fun session to share, and then MORE family time.

So, now that it’s AUGUST I now have a moment to share the things I was loving the most in July!

1. kid food – my brother, his wife and their two boys came to visit me this past weekend and I had SO MUCH FUN shopping for kid food for my older nephew. (Buying food for a 3-year-old is much more fun than buying baby food for an 11-month-old…) I was finally able to blame getting Coco Puffs and Trix on my nephew! Not that I don’t mind buying sugary cereal (I do it all the time), but this time I felt just a little less guilty. And the snack foods? So cool!! They make applesauce in a squeezable packet! No mess! No spoon needed! The nephews might have gone back home, but these snacks are definitely still being enjoyed. :-)

2. Aunt Carla – my aunt lost her battle with esophageal cancer this past month and I was able to spend a few days with my family and travel with them to her funeral. I definitely miss her and the way her eyes would tear up during a good laugh, but I know she is in a better place and no longer suffering. I’m so thankful to have the flexibility in my career and understanding from my clients to take some personal days to be with my family on such short notice.

3. Glee – it’s hard for me to watch a new show without starting from the beginning, so while I was in Sioux Falls staying with my bff Jill, she got me started. And I couldn’t.stop.watching. I enjoy Brittany’s crazy comments, Emma’s sweetness, Sue’s outrageous threats, Puck’s guitar playing, and Artie’s Safety Dance.

4. Audible – turns out it’s a lot easier to read a book on the boat/in the car/at the pool/while doing laundry when it’s an audiobook. I’ve already ‘read’ Heaven is For Real, Something Borrowed, Bossypants, and I just started The Help. Any other audiobook suggestions to add to my list?

She saw him walk in from across the room. His friend overheard her making a comment about his sexy work boots and how that must mean he has good morals. He introduced himself and they danced the night away.

Almost one year later, they were staying in the Black Hills and Jerry had planned a romantic evening in after going out for supper. Flowers, wine, etc. The flowers showed up early, sending Jerry into a frenzy. It’s a good thing he frequently gives unexpected flowers to Laura – she still had no idea what was going on. When his ‘planned’ moment came and the flowers had already been there for a while, he started to get nervous. But then, “I Wouldn’t Be A Man” by Josh Turner came on and he asked her to dance. The perfect moment presented itself.

Jerry + Laura – I am SO excited to photograph your wedding this October! I can’t wait to watch you continue your life-long dance!!