I am extra excited for these two because, in just 46 more days, Cara will officially be my sister-in-law! This reality was sinking in as I was walking Ben around to find a spot to post him for their first look, and I looked at him and said “Ben, do you realize you are going to be the uncle to my children?” Yeah. Crazy.

Ben and Cara got married up in her hometown of Moline, IL at a beautiful country club. The day was absolutely perfect. As I’ve spent time with their photographs, I’ve remembered what one not-so-sober friend of theirs kept saying at the end of the night. It was something like “They are just so HAPPY. I’ve never SEEN anybody so happy. How in the world can they be so HAPPY?” The incredible smiles on their faces in the following photos proves his drunken observation to be quite true. They are so happy.

One of my favorite memories from the day was when it was all done and over, I was downstairs collecting our things along with Cara’s mom and sister. Cara just started bubbling over, saying “It was just so perfect. It was everything I wanted. It was just the best day ever!” Mr. and Mrs. Pifer– it really was those things. So glad to have celebrated with you.

The day began at home. Cara got her hair done and her sister did her makeup. It was a calm, quiet kind of morning, and it seemed very appropriate that the family would all be together on this morning.

I had to hang the dress in the bathroom that so perfectly coordinated with her wedding colors!

Her dad did his father-of-the-bride duties: writing checks.

I tried to explain to Lilly what was going on, but she just gave me this look:

After getting all suited up, it was time for their First Look. It was more than a little hot outside, and Ben definitely had to wait for a little while before seeing his bride. I’m quite sure that it was worth it though…

Time for some portraits! Ben was a very careful driver as I stood on the back and held on for dear life.

Studly groomsmen. I’m fond of one in particular.

Here is my handsome fiance and my soon-to-be in-laws! You all looked seriously fabulous.

After some time inside, it was go time! Cara’s mom and dad both walked her down the aisle. I caught this sweet moment where dad hugged his daughter and passed her hand to the man she would marry.

See what I mean? Look how HAPPY they are. Absolutely precious.

They are MARRIED! Yippeee!

Behind the ceremony was the country club pool. The wedding drew quite the crowd of onlookers. I loved all these little girls with their goggles still on their heads staring at the beautiful bride.

Time to party! The hilarious bridal party came up with this pose:

Props to the DJ who did an awesome job of keepin the dance floor rocking. The night ended with everybody gathering around the bride and groom for one last celebratory dance.

I just have to throw in a few photos from their rehearsal because it was just so gorgeous. The sun was a bit lower in the sky than at the ceremony, so it just made the photos all feel warm. Here is the beautiful couple– sporting their wedding colors.

Cara– you are SERIOUSLY beautiful.

The day was so so perfect. I’m so happy for you both and was thrilled to document your beautiful day!

Horseshoes and wildflowers.

Here’s the adorable couple!

The party was bumpin. And I loved seein Rob dance. All of us college friends were like “whoa… Hayley has really changed him!” He would have never in a million years been spotted dancing before!

I know this next one isn’t tack sharp– but look at her face!! Adorable…

Mr. and Mrs. Satrom– it was an honor to be at your beautiful wedding. You all are absolutely adorable together, and may God continue to richly bless you and glorify Himself through your marriage!

Hope to see you in a few weeks at my wedding!

I am a first time aunt to Rebecca Grace … and I am already sad thinking about how I’m leaving the little snugglebug tomorrow. Good thing I’ll see her for a whole week again in a month.

Yes, the poor little dear is inside her daddy’s hard hat. This next one was a big hit at his work.

We took the little precious to the beach for the first time! She is gonna be a little water baby. I got her mama this book, so Becca has been having bath tub swim lessons most days. Hopefully she will grow up to be a swimmer like her momma and aunt!

Our baby in her itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka dot bathing suit. Look how SMALL she is on Aunt Jessica’s beach towel!

Okay so I know that in the last post I was talking about Trueluck as being the cutest dog ever, but really… Winky is pretty high up there. Plus she is FAMILY. Winkers has been so good with the baby. Such a sweet dog.  And yes– she has one eye. And her name is Winky. Lol.

And one last shot of my sweet little model in her pretty pink tutu! I love you Rebecca Grace!

I flew to D.C. and felt very cool as I took the Metro allbymyself, thankyouverymuch. I had to sneak this photo so I didn’t look *too* touristy

One of the reasons I went to D.C. was to see this cute girl. We hung out. And ate Ethiopian food.

Also staying with was Laura’s roommates adorable dog, Trueluck. Best dog EVER. Seriously. I don’t even like small dogs… but LOOK AT THIS FACE.

One theme of the trip: We did a lot of eating and drinking. I believe here we are enjoying some Caribou Coffee. Laura talked me into getting a *lavender* white mocha. It tasted, well, like LAVENDER. Gross.

My friend is very good at looking like she is not posing for pictures… but really she is… she is just trying to look really hipster and unaware of the camera.

And here she is with her new boy. Hm. I guess this is not really internet official– or Facebook official yet. Hope I didn’t blow your cover too much, you two

For the Fourth- we wanted to be near the mall, but maybe not in the swarming throngs of people– so, we sat on the steps of this building. Library of Congress. Holla.

And this was our view:

I am in Virginia Beach hanging out with my brand new (18 day old) niece, Rebecca Grace. Guess where her middle name came from??

And she is PRECIOUS. We are all seriously so in love with her. So, her photographer aunt was going to waste no time getting some pics (even though she may already have the most well-documented life of an infant thus far, when you consider the number of FB pics already attributed to her…)

She makes some seriously awesome faces. Like this one, that we call “the Elvis.”

I can assure you: there will be more. She has turned me into a crazy person.

And here’s me and the hot fiance. I mean really? I get to marry that man?

Love <3

I met Amanda her freshman year of college. I cooked her an omelet.

This one is in my wedding.

So sneaky… taking photos in Lee’s shades.

Yay Mizzou crew! And dang it was a cold Thunder! We have some serious bundle- uppage going on here.

And then it was time for the show. The best firework show ever.

Oh Ashley. You slay me.

It ended with a bang. (ahhhhahaha! why am i so funny?

Next: The man who put the bling on my finger. He liked it so he put a ring on it (I had that song in my head for DAYS afterward!)

The happy couple

A few days later at Thunder over Louisville. Yep, I was still pretty darn excited about my ring

And, our very first engagement/wedding present, from my dear friend Kayla Nuby. Aren’t these ADORABLE!?

I’m so, so in love with this man. I spent some time typing up our story the other day, so, rather than rewriting or pasting it: to read about our love story and engagement, you can read it here on our wedding website!

The kids were running around, we were mingling and standing on the porch in the sunshine… and it just felt like home. It just felt like family.

I took a few headshots of people to use for a project for the church. Look at these good-looking Avenue-ites!

And then it was play time.

Play time for the big kids too… apparently

Little boys. Give them a big stick, and they are happy for hours.

So these next photos are the last pictures taken before I became Lee’s fiance the next night! I had no idea what was about to happen the next day– but apparently a lot of the people at this meeting did! I’m going to post some of the pics from the night we got engaged soon!

She since came to Southern Seminary and met the man of her dreams. We started dating our guys right around the same time, so we would sit in our class together, and as soon as it was over…. just turn to each other and GUSH about our boys and how wonderful it was to be in love.

Jeremy and Christina just celebrated a year of marriage… and I was so honored to stand with them in their wedding last year. They have become incredible “couple friends” to Lee and I. Jeremy was so generous as to come over and do a whole bunch of drywalling in my house for me. The boys worked and the girls talked.

Anyways… I could go on and on about my friends and how much I learn from them and how they exemplify Christ every day. They are moving to Thailand… where they will learn to be English teachers and then look for a job. They walk by faith and treasure Jesus above all.

In honor of Christina moving, I thought I would post these ridiculous photos the boys snagged of us a while back. We went to an Indian festival here in town, which was especially fun given our history together in India, and when people were invited on the stage for a yoga demonstration, Christina and I, being the shy types we are, did not hesitate!

I saved the best one for last. Oh man. Classic.

And just in case you cannot see our ridiculousness to your satisfaction: here is a close up. I hope you also noticed how we are the ONLY ones sitting up at this point. LOLs.