The wedding dress and the coat

Every year around Olivia's birthday, I take pictures of her in my wedding dress. I saw someone on Oprah do it, and thought it was about the neatest thing since sliced bread. Given that it's July, I'm a little late. Here's a recap of the last 3 years:

2007

2008

2009

2010

But being a month late on Olivia's picture is nothing compared to Claire. I didn't do the wedding dress with her, because her birthday is in December, and I thought a strappy wedding dress in the winter was, well, cruel. So I take her picture with my fancy coat, that I bought the year before I had Olivia. I love that coat. I can't fit in it anymore. It's such a drag! So I took Claire's picture after her first birthday... and realized over the weekend that I never took hers after her second birthday. Why must December be so busy!!??!! So I took her picture in the coat the same day I did Olivia's. I figure having one at 2 1/2 instead of 2 is better than not having one at all.

2009 (really for 2008, but I took it in January)

and 2010 (really for 2009, but I took it in July, yuk!)

and the same picture, just playing around

a long overdue look at the Baldwin Wedding

I am so excited about this wedding! Becky and Travis were married at the Darby House, which is an amazing venue in Galloway. Right up until the date, there were predictions of rain, but it held off and they had a gorgeous day.

Guests rode in a horse and buggy from the parking area to the venue.

I love how Becky accented her venue with decorations. She went with a nature/bird type of theme. It was clean, simple and elegant, and looked amazing!




This cake... was fantastic!!


I adore Beths ring.




Their actual ceremony was held outdoors on an open patio. The cottonwood trees around us were all letting go of their seeds, which is was bad for allergies, but made for such a romantic feel to the ceremony.














Becky and Travis, you two are so sweet and fun, and I wish you all the best! Thank you for including me in your special day - it was beautiful!!

the first wedding of the year: Kelli and Kyles sneak peek

So Kelli and Kyle were the first wedding I attending and photographed this year! I had a great time! Both the bride and groom were great to work with, and were willing to do everything I asked. It was so much fun! I'll do a separate post to show some of the reception (which was so cool) but this one I'll focus on the stuff we did outside.

Kelli with her father

Congratulations Kelli and Kyle! Thanks for including me on your day

my favorite time of year

So those have been around know that I take photos of Olivia every year around her birthday in my wedding dress. I do a similar thing with Claire (in my fancy winter coat, since her birthday is in December, you can see that post here along with Olivia's past dress incarnations) and its probably my favorite tradition we have. I love getting out my dress... love setting everything up. Every year I do find myself hoping that next year will be easier. Olivia's not the most pleasant person to put into uncomfortable situations, and she definetly finds the itchy wedding dress uncomfortable. But this year, we did get some smiling images.

(my fav of the unhappy's)




it's like she's grabbing at suspenders!


And I took some of Claire as well, for her half year




Now I know what you're asking. You're asking, Heather how in the world did you get the girls to smile?? Well, we pulled out all the stops this year. Because she was just not having it at all! We let Vash (the cat) out, and Tim brought out MONSTER since the girls are still obsessed with it. Which brings us to the day...

163 of 365: Please be Entertained