Merry Christmas!

Mr. & Mrs. Riley {Gallatin, Tennessee Wedding Photography]

Two weeks ago, we were able to join Stephanie, Sam, and their family and friends for their beautiful wedding day.

The wedding and reception were held at The Baber House in Gallatin. This location was absolutely beautiful!

Stephanie's mom, Diane, is a kindergarten teacher. Two of her teacher friends did all of the flowers and decorating. They were unbelievable! I know Diane and Stephanie were so thankful for their help on the big day. Teachers are multi-talented, you know! :)

I LOVE this image Brittany got of Stephanie's dress.

Comfort is important! Stephanie and her bridesmaids had some Old Navy flip flops for the big day!

I love this image of Stephanie, her mom, Diane, and her bridesmaids getting ready. They had so much fun!

Stephanie and Sam decided to have a First Look (images on their sneak peek), which you know I love. We had oodles of time to get important wedding day portraits, relax, and prepare for the ceremony.

Stephanie and her dad, Jack, were very emotional as they came down the aisle.

The ceremony was short and sweet! :) Brittany started out at the front and zipped around and up to the balcony for some shots. I was afraid she wasn't going to have time to make it up there. I am glad she did. I love having a wide view of the ceremony.

Stephanie and Sam had a cute idea for favors. Everybody loves candy!

The cakes were delicious and from Publix.

The guys were cracking up me when they went to decorate the car. They said I was giving them "writer's block," so I took a couple pictures and left them alone.

These balloons were in the car and Stephanie and Sam couldn't fit!

Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Riley!! Enjoy your slideshow! The full gallery will be up in a few days.

Maggie is 2!

Yes, well, Maggie has been 2 for awhile, but we couldn't figure out a time to do her 2 year session. So, this is the "Maggie is an experienced 2 year old" session!

I had so much fun just hanging out with Mark, Jana, and Maggie and watching her play. She NEVER stopped talking or moving the entire time. I am serious.

When I showed Jana and Maggie the slideshow today, Maggie saw this one and said, "That's my dining room." :)

This one cracks me up.

I love how Maggie is now looking at Crazy Aunt Nise in our self-portraits. She put this beautiful headband on me.

A new favorite-do you think she has enough toys?

Maggie and her trusty "Assistant Bunny" or "Funny Bunny" or "Papa's Bunny."

See, another look at Crazy Aunt Nise.
Maggie, I LOVE you! I can't believe you are already 2!
Here's your slideshow.

A little story about Maggie's 2 Year Session....... {Cleveland, Tennessee, Lifestyle Photography}

This is a story about a little girl named Maggie. Her Aunt Nise loved her so much and she bought her this super cute pettiskirt when Maggie was a baby-only a few months old.
Nise waited and waited for Maggie to be big enough to fit in it.

Until, finally, she couldn't wait anymore. Nise and Maggie's mommy safety pinned the skirt to Maggie's pink bloomers because it still was a little too big.
Nise, Maggie, and Maggie's daddy ...oh and Funny Bunny too...went outside to play while Maggie's mommy got a special surprise ready.

Nise had a fabulous plan to have a picture of Maggie walking in the grass with her beautiful pink pettiskirt holding 2 perfect pink balloons. The only trouble was, Maggie didn't want to have the balloons tied to her wrist. Nor did she want the two perfect pink balloons clipped to her shirt. No, she wanted to HOLD the balloons.In case you didn't know, 2 year olds are independent and sometimes headstrong.

Even though Nise and Maggie's mommy tried to explain that Maggie couldn't hold the balloons, Maggie continued. Nise and Maggie's mommy tried to explain that the balloons would fly away and be gone forever.

Maggie's mommy held the balloons and tried to get Maggie to go over to the grass. But, Maggie is headstrong...and independent....and Maggie's mommy gave up. Because a crying and fussing Maggie is no fun.....

And before Nise knew what was going on, Maggie was holding the balloons......for about 2 seconds-1 for each balloon.
You should have seen the tears that came next (from Maggie, not Nise).

The rest of the story is, Maggie's daddy got 2 more balloons for Maggie but, of course, Maggie wanted NOTHING to do with THOSE balloons.
....sigh.....maybe next year.....three balloons.....

Oh, I LOVE that girl! Even if she is headstrong and independent and wants to HOLD balloons!
Mark & Jana-more pictures coming soon. LOVE you all!

Maggie's 2nd Birthday Party! {cleveland, tennessee family photography}

How in the world this child is 2 TODAY I do not know. Seriously. July has been a whirlwind for us-2 weeks in Jamaica, back home for 1 night, then went to the beach with our friends (their beach session pics coming soon), then home for 1 night to leave the next day for Maggie's party.
Despite it all, we would not have missed Miss Maggie's 2nd Birthday Party for anything.


When we arrived, Maggie was less than excited about her party. They had to wake her up from her nap for her party and she was NOT happy. And I believe the fun life of being 2 has kicked in-"I don't YIKE cake! I don't want to see ____! I don't want to wear dat!"
About 5 minutes into it all, I snapped into reality and grabbed my camera.
After I took this picture, I said, "Maggie, you're going to LOVE this picture when you are 16!" :)

It was amazing moment when Maggie saw her party decorations and balloons. A new child had appeared. :) "Yook! Butterflies, balloons!"

And we were ready for a party!

Before her party, if you asked Maggie what would happen at the party, she would say, "Cake, pwesents, and my fwiends will be dere!"

Oh how I love this boy. How is Ryder this big?! His 2nd birthday is coming up soon!

LOVE her!

This cracks me up. Jonie said, "I think she's used to having her picture taken." No, really, I don't know why! :)

Right after this, Maggie informed me the concrete was too hot and now she DID want shoes on.

Last Sunday I almost didn't recognize Carter. He has gotten so big!

For someone who doesn't "yike" cake, she sure ate a lot!

Sharing with Papa.

As soon as Maggie opened this present, she started trying to put the dress on. She even gave Jana one (see in the background)!

Someone who really loves Maggie gave her a camera. (Wonder who?!) We need to work on her photography skills. She's looking in the wrong end!

That's better.

After all of the presents were open, it was time to play with them all!
Sweet Camden!

Last year at the end of the party, Maggie laid down right on the garage floor and I got a picture.
This year, she laid down in the chair Uncle Wese and Aunt Nise gave her.

Ohhh, Birthday Kisses from Camden!

And something VERY important to tell Ryder (although we were all laughing so hard we have no idea what she said).

And Birthday Hugs from Ryder-this is how he hugs, by turning his head and leaning into you!

A wonderfully fun party!
Maggie Skelton, we love you so much and can't believe you are already 2!
Enjoy the slideshow!