It's been a long time comin'....

Finally.

FINALLY!

For those who know me well, you know that having these family pictures taken was a big deal.  I'll spare you the pathetic and ridiculously obnoxious sob story and just say that these pictures are everything I wanted and more!  Thanks to our friend Mark Fierst at www.markfierstphotography.com we have some pretty awesome pictures we will be PROUD to hang in our home and show off!  I feel so adult now having family pictures.

I think  its safe to say we were his most challenging family photo session by far, but with his expertise, he was able to capture Everett's smile in between all the tears, tantrums and snot.  By the pics, you'd never guess he was a little terror that day!

Here are my favorites from the shoot---so hard to pick!

Do yourself a favor and go take a look at Mark's website.  He's got great style, patience and he's affordable!

Thank you Mark for giving me a happy heart today as I look at how well you captured my marriage, my family and our love for each other.

Fall. Family. Fun.

Here are some pictures of some fall family fun we've had with both Curt's family and mine over the past few weekends.  Fall leaves....crisp air....hotel rooms.....cabins....family....I'm sad that both of our vacations are over!  At least I have some pictures to remember them by!

With Curt's family we took a long awaited trip to the Bayfield Apple Festival---somewhere we have not had the chance to visit again since we got engaged!  It was so great!  We rented out a large cabin for us all to stay in and it was---heavenly!  All tucked away in the woods and warm and cozy.  It was just what the doctor ordered for a fall obsessed girl like me!

This past weekend for MEA break, we (Curt, Everett and MY family)  ventured up to Crosslake for a fall getaway.  We had a yummy Italian feast, walked across the Mississippi River at Itasca State Park and had some fun pool time with all of the kiddos.  Not much was planned, but that made it all the better---utter relaxation.  Ok, so with a toddler there is only so much relaxation involved, but it was a perfect balance of chaos and vacation.

Have I mentioned I love fall?

Next fall centered activity in the books?  Family pictures next weekend along with pumpkin patch and Halloween party!  Yowza!

What do you do to celebrate fall?