Melissa + David | Sneak Peek | Green Bay Engagement Photographer

August 6th, 2012

So looking forward to this wedding next month! Many more to come…

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Up! Maura’s 4th Birthday!!

August 5th, 2012

You know that saying, it takes a village? Well, after the last 6 months, I completely understand the meaning. So many wonderful people have come out of the woodwork to help take care of Maura and in turn, us as well. And getting to this birthday was a great accomplishment considering that 6 months ago Maura could hardly walk or sit up on her own anymore. (And we just got test results this week that show everything on the inside is finally back in normal ranges! Hopefully we can keep it there!)

So needless to say – we wanted this years celebration to be extra special for her. Maura wanted an Up themed party and we found quickly that there isn’t much out there, but since up is all about balloons, (and I love to make things) it was easy to kind of make our own. This is the part where the village comes in…first we had some wonderful friends that let us use their house for the invitation pictures and no doubt it was the perfect house. Considering we have about three friends in Green Bay it was pretty incredible one had a house that was a similar style to the movie AND had a white picket fence!

The next part of the village is a good family friend Karen. She is an amazing baker and I just asked her to help me dip some cake pops and this is what she ended up making (not to mention she took our cat when no one else would so that my mom and dad could stay with us and help with Maura!). I mean seriously, this is the coolest Up cake I’ve seen – even has Russell, Carl and the dogs in the windows!

And my mom made sashes so that all the kids could earn their Wilderness Explorer badges…

Unfortunately it rained almost the whole party, so the games kind of were left at the wayside 🙁 But Maura and friends had a great time, so I guess we should just be happy for the farmers because we can all use the rain this year!

I also make a balloon wreath, which was not only adorable, but super easy to make! And I finished up the crafting with some fabric pennant banners. But I’ll stop rambling and just let the pictures do the talking, I do better with that anyway 😉

You think she likes the hat from her Auntie Anna?!! 🙂

This cute dinosaur is the son of a wonderful friend of mine who also took the time to watch Maura once a week so that I could finish my student teaching. Thank you, Katie, you did such a wonderful thing for Maura and for Wes and me.

And Maura got a special gift in the mail from a good friend of ours. It included a homemade felt mat for her to play with all the characters from Up. I was oohing and ahhing about how cute it was and then I pulled out the last piece – a mini Maura attached to balloons…

Thank you to everyone who is a part of our village, you all have made the difference in our lives this past 6 months and we are so grateful to have you on this journey with us. And to Maura, who has worked harder than most these last couple of months, you are the strongest, bravest little girl we know and we are so proud of you. Happy Birthday Maura!

Sneak Peek for Erin | Class of 2013 | Green Bay Senior Photographer

July 28th, 2012

Can’t wait to share all of Erin’s session from last night. Here’s a little sneak peek!

Sneak Peek for Jen | Class of 2013 | Green Bay Senior Photographer

July 27th, 2012

Just a little sneak peek of my first senior of the season. Many more to come!

Looking Forward

July 22nd, 2012

It’s been awhile since a Maura update, some due to the fact that I am busy, busy, busy, and some due to the fact that the 10 year-old girl inside me is slightly afraid I might jinx how well she is doing. The medicine seems to be quieting the Dermatomyositis, with Maura regaining the ability to walk, run, jump, and (almost) climb the stairs like most almost 4-year olds. If you saw her at the park, you’d probably just think she had a really over-protective mom that should let her do more on her own.

Back in May she was a part of a wonderful art show call Celebrate Life. At the time, I shared the first part of the story, the part where she painted. The actual show was incredible, heart-breaking, overwhelming, the list goes on. I wasn’t prepared for the emotions I felt that night then and not sure if I am now either, but Maura’s the one who really had to be strong through all of this so I figure it’s time for me to man up. I spent the night hiding behind my camera so that no one saw me crying, especially not the parents who only got to see their child’s art instead of having their child with them. As much as I sometimes grieve for the time and experiences that Maura has lost, it was a night to remind me that we have not lost the most important thing and have so much to be thankful for.

If you know Maura, you know how stingy she is with hugs and affection (unless you are her Uncle Todd!) and how shy she can be in a crowded room, so I wasn’t sure what she would do when they called her up for her recognition, but Kim and Child Life at St. Vincent’s are magic and there she went – open arms and all.

She didn’t know until yesterday that her grandparents (all 4 of them) together had purchased her second painting as a gift for her. Seeing her with the painting again only reaffirmed for me what a wonderful and healing process this was for her.

So now here we are, two months later and 9 less mg of steroids. So far, so good and keeping all fingers and toes crossed that she continues down this path. at this point all we can do is follow her lead…

And keep looking forward.

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Introducing Seth! Green Bay Newborn Photographer

July 20th, 2012

This guy was such a third sibling. Just hung out and relaxed the whole time. I have never seen such a relaxed newborn that was also wide awake! He is a sweet addition to this wonderful family 🙂

And let me count the ways big brother can give loving kisses…

1.

2.

3. (I think this one is my favorite – so not posed – melted my heart!)

4.

Family Traditions; Green Bay Area Family Photographer

July 20th, 2012

This family was such good sports considering that this is one of the days that reached nearly 100 degrees! And these kids, just simply adorable, with capes and bubbles, it was such a fun session!

Emma + Jason; Green Bay Wedding Photographer

July 17th, 2012

Emma & Jason are two amazingly talented people. They are both accomplished musicians as well as in many other areas – which you can check out here on their blog. I cannot wait for their wedding this fall. The connection these two have is unmistakable and made for one of my favorite sessions yet.