End of a Chapter

I’ve come to the conclusion that parenting is like a series of chapters in a book. Well, we’ve just come to the end of another chapter and although I’m feeling nostalgic  I could not be any more proud of my kids.

Samantha has graduated from the University of Kansas and before even “Walking Down the Hill” has landed a job with Bishop – McCann.   The company is a national marketing consulting firm specializing in promoting events for product launches. She will be working down in the River Market area in a classic warehouse office environment with an unbelievable salary and full benefits.  Her job will include developing websites for each of the events.  Congratulations Sambo!!!

Connor graduated from Shawnee Mission Northwest with a fantastic GPA even while heavily involved in theatre.  Each year, high schools around the metro area are nominated for Blue Star Awards which is the equivalent of the Academy Awards for high school theatre.  Connor was nominated for three Blue Star awards for various categories in technical achievements.  The awards ceremony took place at the Starlight Theatre and although in the end he did not have a chance to stand at the podium and sob uncontrollably while telling the audience he owes it all to his dad, it was a very rare achievement to be nominated in three categories.

Connor will be moving on to KU next year to begin his nursing degree in neonatal care.  Congratulations Connor on an amazing year!!!!

Above and Beyond Weddings New Office

Our very close friend Lynn Henderson, owner of Above and Beyond Weddings, had a nice surprise the other night as husband Marty assembled the A-Team to officially welcome Lynn to her new office in Lee’s Summit.  It’s been fun to watch Lynn grow her company through great service and exceeding customer expectations.  This wedding team not only works well together but we’ve become close friends.  It’s been a joy working with this crew.  Enjoy the slideshow: Above and Beyond Weddings

Faultless Event Space Grand Opening

Nita and I had an opportunity to enjoy the grand opening of the Faultless Event Space in the West Bottoms.  The event was hosted by Lynn Henderson of Above and Beyond Weddings and the facility managed by Tony Kopek with Event Designers and Catering.

Faultless is one of the those great spaces that gives you the loft warehouse feel but with a nice touch of warmth with the hardwood floors and brick walls.  The space has a huge advantage with Tony managing the events.  Tony comes from a catering background and has learned well all the details in pulling off a great event.  Everything from parking to custom lighting has been taken care of.

The Faultless space will be fun to watch as they gather momentum.  And, evidently that won’t take long.  Dates are already being snatched up fast.  For a complete slide show just click here:  Faultless Event Space.

Be Chic and Be Wowed

I had the pleasure of working with my friends in the wedding industry at the Be Chic Event at Black on Burlington last Sunday.  The space is spacious with a dramatic warehouse flair that is perfect for any occasion.  Lynn Henderson with Above and Beyond Weddings and Events and Andrea Grist with Andrea K.Grist Floral Designs took a super-charged attitude towards organizing and marketing the event resulting in a great crowd streaming in all day.  The reviews have already started coming in with  brides commenting on how they loved the vendors and appreciated the ability to have time to talk with each of us.  As someone who has always shied away from bridal shows, I think I have a new attitude.

Beautiful Fall Afternoon

Kelsey and Curtis got married on a gorgeous day in October in Gardner, Kansas, and what a fun day we had. We first took advantage of the old Gardner military base which just happens to have air force fighter planes sitting around, then moved on to some fantastic abandoned buildings with great weathered exteriors and then finally a small farm property with a classic old barn.

Nita and I love riding around on the trolley on gorgeous afternoons with the entire wedding party.  An amazing day.  Thanks so much for letting us share this gorgeous October afternoon.

The ingredients:

Wedding Dress: Bridal Extraordinaire

Flowers: Golden Goose

 

 

 

Winter Wonderland in Kirksville

Jeff and I had a chance to travel to Kirksville, MO for a beautiful wedding with Whitney and Adam. We love Kirksville with its fantastic town square and we also always turn our Kirksville trips into a vacation by staying at our favorite hotel, the Depot Inn.  Whitney and her mother used a Christmas theme that was embraced throughout the entire wedding, from ceremony to reception.  Whitney in white and her lovely girls in red satin and black. Whitney also wore red satin shoes to match the theme. The church was perfect for the ceremony complete with red carpet and white everywhere, but the best part was the Gone With The Wind staircase!

Before the ceremony, we took off to a few fun locations in downtown Kirksville where we found fantastic brick walls and cool alleys. Whitney looked absolutely stunning in her gown and white fur bolero jacket. The weather was a tad cold but we LOVED the overcast look, not to mention the moment the wind embraced Whitneys cathedal veil and  lifted it up towards heaven and then wrapped around Whitney and Adam as they kissed. Adam and his guys in black and red ties and boutonniere’s looked “so cool” you’d never know they were all freezing.  After the ceremony, the bride and groom exited the church to gorgeous sparklers reflecting off the wet streets.

At the reception everyone was in for a great treat with one of the best and prettiest candy bars we have ever seen !!! The room was decorated as if Martha Stewart herself had come to Kirksville. The Christmas theme continued with nice touches like two trees that had the bride and groom’s photos in small old fashioned picture frames hanging on the trees as ornaments. The entire room SPARKELED with lights, Christmas tree balls, silver, copper, gold and red were everywhere, but one of the highlights were the snowflakes that danced above the bride and groom as they took their first dance as Mr. and Mrs. The only thing outshining this room …the love between Whitney and Adam.

Thank you for letting us be a part of this wonderful day !

The Mix:

The Wedding Dress: Teresa’s Bridal Boutique Kirksville,MO

Tuxedos: Shawns Bridal And Formal Shopp Kirksville,Mo

Flowers: Taylors Flowers Kirksville,Mo

Cake: Hy-vee Kirksville,MO

 

A Day in the Park

Maksim, Mindy and Rob ……..what a day we had at Loose Park.  This sweet and beautiful little boy is definitely one of our favorites to photograph. With the sunshine on our side and Maksim’s smiling face and laughing eyes, it just doesn’t get any better.  This little blue eyed wonder has been a joy to photograph from the very beginning, and I mean VERY beginning!

We did mommy Mindy’s pregnancy photos (Check a few of them out under our gallery - Baby Face.) Mindy was gorgeous with Maksim in her tummy and we knew then that this baby was going to be someone very special.

It would be impossible to pick our very favorite photo of the day, because Maksim loves the camera and the camera loves Maksim, but really driving the mustang are classic images.

We cherish the times we have had with first Mindy and Rob when we shot their engagement session and now the three on their family shoots.  This is not goodbye, this is just Thank You for giving us the opportunity to capture moments in time that might have otherwise been a memory but now are memories on paper that along with the ones in your hearts, will last a lifetime.

Jeff and I love our lives, partly because of people like ….Maksim, Mindy and Rob!

We start off with a few hugs and kisses

Cool Shoes

I'm gonna nail that camera guy

Strictly a Ford Man

Just Hangin'

Deep thinking

You lookin' at me

Making a right turn

It feels good to be me

Does this go with my hat?