Home for the Holidays: Photo Session

 

Over the weekend Joe and I spent Saturday afternoon capturing my friend Jill and her family in their beautiful home.  Jill works as a photo stylist, so I was even more excited to see how she had decorated this year for the holidays.  We had so much fun photographing her and the family decorating the tree, drinking lots of coffee and just spending the afternoon together.  The hard part for me was picking out my favorites to share with you today.  Happy Holidays!

The Barnes Family

Just a quick sneak peek at what Coach House Pictures has been up to!  As I announced a few weeks ago, this is our new photography adventure that Joe and I have been growing.  We had so much fun photographing the Barnes family!  There boys are so energetic and lively!  We loved following them around there Bucktown neighborhood (which just happens to be ours too) and capturing them in the moment. Here are a few of my favorite shots.  Check out our blog to see the full posting of this photo session. Happy Monday and a great start to your week!

Photography: Coach House Pictures

Birthday Wishes

This weekend, this handsome boy turns 8!!  I can hardly believe what an awesome little person he is turning out to be.  He's developing athletic skills like it's second nature and is creative to boot( he constructed wallets out of multi-colored duct tape for all the guys in the family for Christmas gifts). That'a boy!! But the thing that melts my heart the most about my special nephew Sam, is the way he cuddles up next to me on the couch. There's almost nothing like it, I'm telling you!  Happy Birthday Sam, may you continue to nurture you talents and spread your fun loving energy.

Surprise Birthday Decor

My big sis is turning the big 3-0 this Saturday.  And to celebrate her big day she and her husband are throwing it at her favorite sushi restaurant, Tank Sushi in the city!  It's a really quaint, fun atmosphere located in Logan Square.  And as a surprise to her I wanted to decorate the room that they have reserved for dinner.  I called the restaurant this morning and they said it would be fine to come in early to decorate the room.  So I have lots to do this week!!  I've put together an inspiration board for the party and will use this as a guide.  I love the pink and yellow color pallette!  I can't wait to get started!  And I can't wait to see her smile when she walks in! Wish me luck :)

 

Photos by Creature Comforts and Martha Stewart

Orchard weekend

Happy Monday everyone! How was your weekend?My family and I took advantage of the beautiful fall weather this weekend and enjoyed some time apple picking, corn a-mazing, cider drinking, and pumpkin picking, phew! Here are a few of my favorite picks from this weekend.

Loving: Alphabet Letter Freebie

The lovely duo behind Two Brunettes have fun Alphabet banner letters for you to download over at the Ruffled blog. Simply download each letter, print, punch holes on each corner and hang with twine or ribbon. Oh, and it even includes a heart to us as a space! I plan on making one for my nieces 9th Birthday coming up in June, she'll love it almost as much as I'll enjoy putting it together for her. Enjoy!

{ Apple Pickn }

A family favorite tradition that started a few years ago. We load up our bags & pack a picnic to spend an afternoon in the apple orchards in Wisconsin. With lots of exploring and beautiful fall colors to admire, whats not to love ;) Here are some photos from our day trip.

{ Cottage Weekend }

Ahhh....I'm having a great time editing and reliving these photos from this past weekend. Our family weekend consisted of lots of water time via kayak, paddle boat or fishing boat. Puppy love, we had our two family dachshunds in tow, my first game of bags, dance party night, my sister cooking in the kitchen (a rare sight to behold), and building a sand village with the help of my niece and nephew. We agreed to make it a yearly family event. And this is one event that I was blessed to be a part of! Enjoy.

{Kottmeyer & Hansen cottage sign}

{cottage entrance}

{sat morning coffee}

{yummy way to start the weekend}

{cottage lush brush}

{pup at play}

{sand village}

{fishing net at rest}

{kayak in cove}

{dock wine}

{roasted corn on the cob}

{happy dinner plates}

{loungers take the night off}

{puppy love}

{Kottmeyer/Bartolone/Villacorta Crew}
{that's me in the green!}