Ruthie's One Year Birthday | 2013 Highlight

New Year's is one of my favorite holidays. However, for the first three years of our marriage it was like pulling teeth to get Ben to stay up past 10:30 and celebrate with me. Enter December 31st, 2012, and we stumble upon a fabulous new tradition of ringing in the New Year alongside our nearest and dearest with an overnight revelry of dancing and endless food. The only quiet moments are when we each share what we're grateful for from the past year and something we're looking forward to in the coming one. (Thanks to the stomach bug our party was a little smaller than planned this year but no less meaningful.) Looking ahead to 2013, I remember sharing that I couldn't wait for Ruthie's first birthday party -- a milestone of great proportions (!), and a chance to thank those who gave their time, energy, meals, advice and love to us through this huge life transition. And it was a blast.

Per usual, I couldn't have done it without my friends -- I casually mentioned how cute a "teepee party" would be and within minutes they were creating patterns to make our own (which you can now buy at Hart & Honey!). And you might recognize that fabulous streamer backdrop from our dear friends' picnic wedding.

Every guest received a gold-glitter boutonniere or hair clip, some home-made peach salsa made with fruit from The Peach Truck, and birthday-themed Tattly tattoos. And Ruthie wore the most appropriate birthday footwear from her friends Aaron + Ashley (Freshly Picked Moccs).

To top it all off, my sweet Mama made Ruthie's party dress with material that belonged to my Grandma, Ruth's namesake. 

TeePee | Hart & Honey with VDP&Co
Moccs | Freshly Picked
Tattoos | Tattly 
Peaches | The Peach Truck 
Kodak Film Processed by Richard Photo Lab

Feather Boutinniere | dip feather tips in modge-podge and sprinkle with glitter. Once dry, wrap with string and hot-glue pin on the back. 

Lake Michigan | FILM

All of a sudden it was August and we realized my only free weekend was quickly approaching; everyone needed a break and it was obvious that even just sitting at home wouldn't feel so restful (because we decided to move in the middle of wedding season... and we have a one year old... thus there is an endless amount of settling in to be done). So in five days my sweet husband found the perfect cottage on the beach of Lake Michigan -- we kissed our little baby goodbye and headed North for three wonderful, peaceful, lovely days of sitting and cooking and falling asleep to the sounds of the lake. 
I took my Canon 1v and an old Voigtlander that a dear friend gave me which was a blast to shoot with -- I've still got a bit of practice to do estimating distances/focus but loved the results. 
We'll see you again soon, Lake Michigan.

Kodak Portra Film developed by Richard Photo Lab

summer lovin'

Once again we find ourselves in the busiest time of the year -- and if back-to-back weddings weren't enough, we decided to move (down the street), and might as well throw in a first birthday party just for kicks and giggles. Thankfully, I love my job and each of my couples have been a dream to work with; we've gotten several calls and emails this week from friends confirming that they're on our "help us move" list and I can't even begin to tell you how excited/in shock I am about celebrating Ruth's first birthday! We're doing our best to slow down in the midst of much transition and cherish each other and these sticky-hot summer days. So we snuggle a little longer and the house is bit messier and while it seems that for every two boxes we pack Ruth unpacks one, I'm so grateful for my little family of three and this time in our lives. I want to remember these days forever. 

xo

Images shot on Kodak Portra 400 + BW 400CN developed by Richard Photo Lab