Over Labor Day weekend, Jenny and I flew out to New York City to shoot a wedding, some engagement portraits, and see a little bit of the city. It’s been crazy trying to get caught up after being gone for a week!

We’ve been excited for this wedding not only because it was in New York, but also because Steve, the groom, is a Black Hawk pilot who has been in Iraq. He literally got to come home to his bride days before the wedding. And he will be heading back there any day, so you can imagine the emotions we captured and experienced on their wedding day. Allie and Steve are amazing. They live in a chaotic city (way too chaotic for my blood anyway) and manage to stay relaxed, grounded and very much in love. I’ll be praying for Steve & Allie, and for a safe return.

To this day, I’m still amazed at what it takes to get into a wedding dress.

Getting ready to see her man for the first time. I love all the bridesmaids looking on.

The touching first moment.

Times Square was pure chaos.

It’s never a bad time for ice cream.

How cute are these kids?

The best mother/son dance ever. EVER.

Right before our New York trip, I got to play with Hayden. He’s such a fun, wild, happy young boy. I really enjoyed this session! Running around, getting sprayed with bubbles, he really wore me out…but, every time he flashed that cute little grin of his, it made me smile

Love this one

Somebody’s ticklish!

Out came the bubble gun, and with it, huge fun for Hayden.

The tongue just takes this picture over the top

He’s a ball of energy, but so much fun!

I realized last night that it’s been 10 days, yes, 10 whole DAYS since I snapped a picture of my kids. Now, we were in New York for 7 of those days, but still, 10 days is WAY too long. So, enjoy a long post of images of my kids from today, and a few shots of my wife (yes, she actually let me take her picture).

Ava & Max are REALLY enjoying their new bunkbeds…although they enjoy them a little too much when they are supposed to be sleeping

Love this “serious” shot of Ava.

Someone likes to sneak up on the freezer when you open it.

Someone is finally, FINALLY, starting to walk. And, I LOVE this image of my baby girl so much.

Max likes to drive his sister around…it’s so sweet!

How lucky am I to have a wife this beautiful? She needs to hear it more often because I don’t think she believes me when I tell her. Babe, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL.

Ava likes to drive Lia around too

Ava just LOVES her sit-n-spin.

It seems like forever since I’ve had the chance to head up to Wayside Waifs, but tonight, I finally made it back. They are gearing up for a busy, BUSY weekend. This weekend is their Adopt-a-thon, and by the end of Sunday they will (hopefully) have no animals left

So, in preparations for the Adopt-a-thon, I took a TON of pictures today. Here are a few of my favorites!

And, man, do Jacqueline and Travis know how to laugh…especially with one another. Everyone who reads this blog on a consistent basis knows how much I LOVE laughter and huge smiles, so I’m giddy that I get to shoot their wedding next year. And, apparently, someone was “supposedly” nervous about getting their picture taken…but, if you see any signs of nervousness, please let me know

I’m telling you, laughter all throughout their session.

How cute is their little puppy?

I LOVE this one!

Can you see that LOVE there in the way she looks up at him?

These next 3 are some of my favorite shots I’ve ever taken. Seriously, how sweet are they together?

If I put their love on a scale of 1 to 10, they would be 1,000,000,010