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:

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 had a blast shooting with Sam this weekend, but I was so excited to get home and see my nephew!! I’ll post the two weddings later this week, but for now here’s Ben reading Jonas some books before bedtime tonight:

My friends Tim and Loni were the ones who gave Tammy and Josh my number when their wedding photographer cancelled at the last minute due to a family emergency. After Tammy and Josh booked me, Tim and Loni offered to give me a ride out there and back for the wedding – there’s no sense in bringing two cars for three people going to the same event, right? Luckily I can work from anywhere as long as I have my computer because we drove out to Rapid City last Sunday and came back yesterday!

The whole week was awesome and of course went by way too fast!! I hiked Lovers’ Leap Trail with Lance, got all my work done that needed to be done, and signed a lease on an apartment for when I move out there this September!!!! The wedding on Saturday was just icing on the cake for me! It was my very first Rapid City wedding and it was beautiful…but I’ll blog more about that later!

I love sharing good news, and good news deserves to have a photo along with it. Here are some baby barn swallows that were keeping cool in the shade of Lance’s car. I think that anything baby-sized is just adorable!!