my niece is the cutest watermelon eater. Like any good photographer aunt I took some pictures of her over the 4th of July. Playing in the pool, eating watermelon and sharing some with her best friend Lexi are among the things I documented. Are my kids going to be as cute?

Julia and Lexi are best friends and I’m not even kidding when I say that. They could entertain each other for hours, too bad we don’t live closer! Playing in a backyard pool is a must as a child, and Julia’s fav activity doing so is pouring water back and forth and back and forth – and sneaking drinks in between too. Don’t drink the pool water Julia!

There’s nothing like a wedding around a holiday. They combine for a great weekend and getaway for family and friends and this weekend was no exception. Yesterday Chris and Beth were married back in my hometown in Michigan and had beautiful church wedding followed by a fun at home reception. It was an event celebrated by many and I think they had the largest wedding I’ve ever photographed… was it 350 guests? It was also the first wedding in which I was able to photograph my sister playing the piano, and since Beth and her family have been friends for some years my parents were also in attendance and helped with the set up and grilling having pulled off my sister’s at home reception a few years ago. Everything came together beautifully and I’m so happy for Chris and Beth and look forward to sharing more of their wedding day soon. It’s time to go enjoy the 4th of July with my family here in Michigan – I see ladderball and lawn games in my future!

red truck, white dress, blue sky… just thought I should share what my 4th of July looked like!

Today is usually filled with picnics, bbq’s, parades and family fun, and for a beautiful Saturday like today it is also filled with weddings! You may remember this photo from Marianne + Derek’s engagement session last summer, which was shot for a save the date for today’s wedding. I’m all for holiday weddings, since it usually makes it easier for people to attend; Matt and I tied the knot the day before Easter.

Our family tradition for Independence Day involves going to a big picnic with family friends up near Birch Run, MI. If you’ve heard of Birch Run it’s probably because of the outlet mall, which has the most amazing sales on the 4th of July weekend :] We haven’t been up to that picnic in a while, but I can’t wait to hear about how the volleyball games went – they are the highlight of the day.

Now you know what I’m up to today- I need to leave soon to head over to the wedding which is in the Finger Lake region of NY, on Keuka Lake specifically – but let me know what you did today to celebrate. Stories please, I can’t wait to hear them!