Wordy Wednesday

 The heat has been kind of excessive lately. So although we have our a/c on and the pups are really loving the fact that they don't feel like they are going to pass out from heatstroke (which makes me feel better too!)...Hank still feels the need move the living room curtains aside and keep an eye on the pesky birds that he loves to chase.

2 years ago (continued)

The next day (which was the day before our wedding) was spent running around, as expected.

I gathered some ladies: my mom, Matt's sister, Matt's brother's girlfriend, and another bridesmaid to help decorate our reception venue (which was a local ski resort).

Although these Martha Stewart tissue paper pom-poms were a pain, I loved them!

The gorgeous memorial flowers for the alter that my mom spent forever ordering and re-ordering (after I changed my mind at the last minute), love her!

I loved that I got things to do special place settings for the kids

 The name cards were all attached to wine bottle corks!

After decorating the reception site, it was time for the Rehearsal out at the gardens

The wonderful rehearsal dinner was held at Matt's parents' place. Such good food and delicious cake!

2 years ago...

It was just 2 short years ago that I had the best 11 days ever!

It started with what we called our Wedding-Party Party: sort of a combo bachelorette/bachelor party, but really just a get together of family and friends who came into town (or were already in town) for our wedding in a couple days. We started with a grill out at our home and then loaded onto a "party bus" (aka a school bus that we rented to drive us around).

 We stopped at a few bars...

 had a few more cocktails...

And some ended their night like this...

yep, that's Matt's best man...passed out on the dog's bed haha
Wedding Weekend stories to continue...

Family Photos

O.M.G! I am so in love with the results of our family photo session. This past week I shared how ridiculous the weather was during the session and was surprised if any even turned out ok.

Well not only did some turn out ok, they turned out b-e-a-utiful!

These are just from the sneak peak she posted. When we get the cd of the rest I'll be sure to add more. (ps I put them in collage form so that they'd fit better here).

Inspiration

Sometimes inspiration comes in the most random-est of places. I know it's so odd, but I am completely in love with the colors and design of our latest kleenex box...it actually helped with the latest blog revamping.

P.S. yes, this is on the upstairs toilet

Northwoods Promo Event

A few weeks ago I was invited to participate in a promo event that the shelter was participating in. Although I suspect they invited me so that they could get photos...but I'm ok with it.

It was a lot of fun...except that our table was set up next to the kid bouncy castle...yep we were this:close to dozens of screaming, shreiking, yelling children...with our 2 dogs. To say it was overwhelming at times is an understatement. I tried very hard to not get annoyed at the parents who weren't paying attention to their own kids and be a nice representative of the shelter. But when I felt my control slipping...I walked away to "get photos from a distance".  :)

See, I said we were this:close to that thing

Griffin is actually a shelter alum

This is Mr. Harley being so very good! He truly was a great puppy (9 months young) and presented at this event WAAAY better than he does at the shelter.

All in all it was a great time. Yes, I was annoyed at times, but then again, when you combine crowds of people, unsupervised childen who are getting hopped up on candy and bouncing til they (almost) throw up...WITH 2 dogs...I guess I really shouldn't have been expecting a calm afternoon. But it was fun! :)

Wordy Wednesday

This past Sunday we were involved in family photos. Yes, Matt and I loaded up the dogs and met up with my parents and my sister at a nature park by their home to get some family photos.

The upside: new family photos that include the pups!

The downside(s): it was about 90 degrees, there was (what felt like) 90% humidity, AND (what felt like) 90mph winds.

The weather was a little rediculous and I'll be surprised if any photos turned out.

Afterwards we went to my parents' house for dinner and the pups played in the yard. I so wish I had thought to take a video of Hank chasing the rotating sprinkler. It was hilarious and he had everyone laughing at his antics.

The hot weather, photo shoot adventure, and playtime at grandma and grandpa's must have seriously tired them out, because this is how they've been for the past 2 days.

New Carpet

A while back we got new carpeting in our small little upstairs hallway. There is only carpeting in that little area...but the dogs LOVE to lay there. Hank especially likes to sleep there at night...although he has 2 dog beds to choose from (as Stanley is kenneled every night, don't worry he prefers it that way).

This is the only picture I could find of our old carpeting. This was some cardboard that Hank had gotten a hold of...and I found shredded on his beloved carpet space. Note how the "cream" carpet matches the dirty, tan cardboard?

New carpet!

So thick and lush!

Stanley clearly approves of the new carpeting, in fact for the first few days both dogs refused to lay anywhere else.

Bump-a-licious

A week ago I went to a very fun Girl's Night at my dear friend's home. This friend also happens to be pregnant and so we took some updated photos for her.

Her "bump-a-licious" photos try to incorporate what is recently going on in their lives. Recently they have been making big changes in the nursery...including beautiful lilac colored wall paint and these adorable white wall decals. LOVE IT!

I'm also loving the way the purples played off of each other. She is just simply adorable and so happy to be pregnant with that little lady.

And of course, Mr. Wally felt the need to creep in on the action.

It was such a beautiful day out that we tried to get one out there.

Wordy Wednesday

Nope, this isn't me :) But just as exciting...

my sister-in-law (Matt's sister, Katie) was on vacation with her boyfriend this past week and called to say that he had proposed! So exciting and so very happy for them, they are simply adorable together. I haven't had a chance to talk to her but I can't wait to hear all the details of the proposal and any wedding plans that are brewing (according to her Pinterest account haha)

*I did not take this picture, I stole it off of his Facebook page haha*

Zoo Day

For our niece Lillie's 2nd birthday Matt and I had talked about what we wanted to give her as a gift from us. This little girl has so many toys and books and clothes, so being the practical people that we are we thought of trying something different. 

Matt and I decided that we would give her a gift along the same idea of what we give each other: the gift of spending time together. And because we both love our uncles and aunts so much, we really want Lillie to grow up knowing us and loving us as much as we love her. 

So this year our gift to Lille (and her parents lol) was to take her (on our own) for the afternoon. Because she loves animals so much we decided to take her to the zoo.

(disclaimer: all these photos were taken with my phone)

On the drive to the zoo all she would talk about was the monkeys. Monkeys! Monkeys! Monkeys! 

So of course our first stop was to see the monkeys!

She got a little confused between giraffes and zebras, haha 

She LOVES her uncle Matt and I just love how she wrapped her little hand around his finger all day, so sweet!

So incredibly tired. Isn't she just the cutest little girl?!?

It's Official!

It's official! I am so excited to share that I have created a new blog!

Currently the title is "Laura Shaleen...a Loose Leash Photographer". I'm still running it through my Type-A head to decide if I should keep it. I do love it and think it's descriptive without being silly. But like I said my Type-A personality always says that I could be doing something better, so time will tell.

I would LOVE LOVE LOVE it if you popped on over to that site and poked around and let me know what you think. Seriously, I would welcome any and all constructive feedback!

Feel free to share the new blog! Enjoy!

Hank is excited too!

Happy 2nd Birthday Lillie!

Shortly after Stanley's birthday it was our most favorite niece's 2nd birthday! As I've said before she is so incredibly adorable and I just can't get enough of that little girl. This is just a small sampling of all the photos I took that day because she is just too darn cute!

Isn't that just the cutest dress ever?!?