Hey hey everyone! Happy November!! (How’d it get to be half way through November already? Don’t ask me. I’m wondering the same thing myself.) But we’re getting settled in Texas, and I figured it was about time for another post, right? Britney got married last month so now I can share her bridals! Can I quickly mention how amazing her dress is?! Tulle, all day, every day, thankyouverymuch. Plus she is absolutely stunning, but I state the obvious. Get excited for when I blog Britney and Cole’s wedding, because the whole affair was simply beautiful… I’m getting ahead of myself though. For now, please enjoy a few of this gorrrgeous Mrs.!
Natalie and I are off to Texas in six days. SIX DAYS folks. After all the delays and setbacks it was starting to feel like we might never actually leave… But now it’s right around the corner! And I’m ready. (Being away from Jake for almost two months has been plenty long enough in my book. ) Unfortunately, this move and all the drama that’s come along with it has made it quite a challenge for me to stay on top of work, and not to be a broken record, but I’m clearly way behind on blogging because of it. Wah waaah. I’m just thankful for my amazing clients who have been so understanding during this hectic time! (I swear I’ll get to blogging my awesome weddings from this year eventually.) Buuuuut I couldn’t leave without sharing one of said couples, the lovely Erin and Bryan!!! Beautiful fall colors, a gorgeous gal and handsome guy who are madly in love, add in a little of their rambunctious pup Walter… Yep, this makes for a happy Carissa. Let’s just say I’m super excited for their wedding next summer! Enjoy a snippet of their fabulous engagements :)
Dear Natalie Girl,
Today is your first birthday, and I can hardly believe it’s been a year since you were born. Easily the fastest and best year of my life! I could write paragraph upon paragraph about how much your dad and I love you, how much joy you bring us, and how proud of you we are. But I will try keep it short and sweet, just like you. I will never understand how we were so blessed to have an amazing daughter like you. I’m ridiculously thankful that you are mine, and every day my love for grows immeasurably. Your smile makes every day better. Your silly antics fill me with pride. And the way you reach for me and say “mama” is enough to make my heart burst. You are my favorite little monkey and your dad’s special muñeca, and you always will be. As I look back on these past 12 months, I can’t help but feel like the luckiest mom in the whole wide world….
November 2013
We brought you home from the hospital and had no idea what we were doing. But you made it easy on us by eating, sleeping, and pooping like a champ. We were totally smitten. And I’ve never been more thankful than that Thanksgiving together.
December 2013
Christmas is my favorite holiday, and having a daughter to share it with made it that much more special. You also went on your very first plane ride, and I shot my first wedding after having you, which was tough on both of us. But we made it through! And you melted us when you started giving us little smiles…
January 2014
You continued to grow and smile, and your curious nature was evident from the beginning. You loved to be in your swing and you loved to see lots of action and meet new people!
February 2014Your personality really started shining at 4 months, it was so evident that you were (and still are) a sweet and happy girl! You loved when daddy rough housed with you and even though you hated tummy time, you got strong in no time and started to work on rolling with lots of vigor.
March 2014
We took another plane ride to look for our house in TX and everyone we met there was captivated by your sweet smile and blue eyes. You were such a trooper on long days of house hunting loved being outside! Your love of the outdoors was growing with the warmer weather. You also started to work on your crawl, although it would take you another month to master it!
April 2014
You tried your first solid food and absolutely loved sweet potatoes. You always aced your doctor’s check ups, and standing in daddy’s hands was one of your favorite things to do, as you told us with your smug smile when he held you up.
May 2014
Having figured out how to crawl, you began working on your standing abilities. You also loved being a ham for the camera, which absolutely made my day. Your hair was really starting to come in too!
June 2014
You flew to three different states in June, and I’m still thankful you were a such good traveler! I’ll admit you had your moments on the plane, but overall you did so great. That was a crazy full month of weddings, but you were an excellent wedding guest. You started to become more vocal, along with your first two teeth coming in, too!
July 2014
I feel like this was a big month of change. You started to lose some of your baby rolls, which I viewed with a love/hate outlook, because your rolls were so darn cute. But the little person you are becoming was even more evident. Your adventurous side was shining through, and you were never content to sit still. Always had to be on the move and create your excitement.
August 2014
We went on our family cruise, and you had four teeth coming in, which made for some rough nights for me and dad on that trip… But we still had so much fun and everyone loved you! Our waiter even brought special blended sweet potato for you every night at dinner. We also moved out of our house and moved in with your Abuelito and Abuelita’s for the month. You loved saying “Hi” to them every morning when we came up the stairs!
September 2014
This month we switched over to your Grandma and Grandpa’s house. You loved to show everyone that you’re “soooo big” and you learned what a dog says, although it sounds more like a monkey when you make the noise. You also figured out how to say “wow,” which I find hilarious. You started to take a random step here or there, but when dad left for Texas and you and I had to stay here, you decided to wait for him to come back before you would take your real first steps.
October 2014
You love to show people where your tongue is, you are becoming picky about what you eat, and being outside is your favorite thing to do. You love giving Kiva and Zuka pets, and you don’t mind when they give you kisses. You got really sick and scared me to death in the middle of the night, but we made it through and in the morning you woke up and gave me a smile, snot nosed, husky breathing and all. At the end of your birthday party you took 7 steps right into daddy’s arms. And every day you amaze me with how much you are learning and growing and becoming even more beautiful.
Happy First Birthday Natalie Girl!!! Daddy and I love you SO much! And I can’t wait to see what year 2 brings.
Such sweet pictures, Carissa! She’s a beauty!
Oh Carissa! What a beautiful expression of love to your baby girl! She is so incredibly special. I cannot wait to meet her. Much love to your little family!
I’ve always loved doing maternity sessions, and after having Natalie, there is something even more special about doing them. I love seeing the excitement and anticipation in expecting parents! It takes me right back to when Jake and I were in that place. But what also makes this session something special is the fact that these two are my dear friends, Amy and Garett!! You might remember their names from my brother’s wedding, as they were the awesome photographers who helped me capture that day! I love these guys a lot and cannot WAIT to meet their sweet baby girl :) Amy and Garett, thanks for such a delightful evening! I am so excited for you, and I know you’re going to make incredible parents. Bring on October!! XO
I’m not even sure where to start this post, there are so many wonderful things to be said about this wedding… For those of you who don’t know, Caleb is my brother, and he was the last of the Fine kids to tie the knot! I don’t mean that to poke fun, though. Honestly. My other brother Carl and I both got married four years ago, and we did always tease Caleb about being the only one flying solo… But now that he is married, our family finally feels complete! (Minus the future kids, of course.) And I’m so thrilled that Jackie came into his life, she is beautiful, intelligent, and not afraid to put Caleb in his place if need be ;) She brings out a side of happiness in Caleb that is everything I could ever want for him. I’m blessed to now call her my sister!
I did double duty on their wedding day: bridesmaid AND photographer. They approached me about the possibility of doing both, and without hesitation I said yes!! It was a non-stop crazy day for me, but in the end it was an honor to both document this incredible day as well as stand up to support their marriage. It wouldn’t have been possible, though, without the help of my wonderful friend Amy and her husband Garett of Amy Lashelle Photography!!! Those two photographed the ceremony, all of the group shots, and any other aspects of the day that I wasn’t able to. THANK YOU Amy and Garett, truly. You guys were amazing and I’m so grateful for all your help that day. I also want to give a shout out to Kim of Petal Pixie for doing an incredible job with the florals and being so willing to help! Kim, I know you took a lot of stress off Jackie’s shoulders and everything turned out beautifully!!
Alright, without further ado, enjoy my brother’s wedding day. What a wonderful day it was :)
Ceremony Venue: Mountain Life Church / Reception Venue: Matterhorn Room at Zermatt Resort / Wedding Planner: Gretchen Figge / Caterer: Zermatt Resort / Cake: Sugar Kisses Cakes / Florist: Petal Pixie / Hair and Makeup: Britney Wiseman / DJ: David Figge / Invitations: Hanna Stout / Bride’s Dress: Danielle’s Bridal / Groom’s Tux: Men’s Warehouse / And one more shout out to Amy and Garett for second shooting!!
Wow – I smiled through all the pictures! So honored to have been there to witness Caleb and Jackie starting their life together. Carissa – once again, a stellar job! Love to all the Fines!
I love these so much!! Thank you for making it such an comfortable and fun experience. You are amazing :)
These pictures are absolute perfection! I am so happy for the both of you and I can’t wait to ‘officially’ welcome you to the family, Erin!
Oh wow! These are amazing pictures. You are a Great Photographer. Erin is so lucky to have you. And I’m the proudest Mom there is. Love these kids!