Tuesday, September 22, 2009

A picture perfect weekend

Over the weekend, the Husband and I flew to Utah to meet his siblings and surprise Oma for her 60th birthday. It has been very difficult to keep the secret, and there was a time or two when I almost let it slip accidentally over the phone.

I know. I am not good with secrets.

Luckily, I kept my big mouth shut, and she was beyond thrilled when she walked into the restaurant and saw all seven of her children and their spouses (minus one who inconveniently started to go into labor the day before).

Unfortunately, I left my camera in our hotel room during the big surprise dinner, and kicked myself all evening because of it. Being married into this family has its perks, for Marta has already documented the festivities here much better than I ever could.

What I did remember to bring my camera for was a little morning with this lovely lady. Yes, photogs everywhere, weep with envy. I was treated to pastries, fabulous conversation, and an impromptu photo lesson from none other than the best. I tried to remember how I first found Michelle in blogland, but I have decided since that she is my long lost soul sister. She is as beautiful in person as she is on her blog. Just as easy-going, intelligent, and funny as I pictured her to be. I cringe with horror at my inability to do her justice here, but fell in love with this picture of her and sweet little Mary anyway.

I imagine posting this is somewhat like handing Michelangelo a stick-figure drawing you have done and asking him what he thinks.

I would be remiss if I didn't also mention how much I fell in love with this gorgeous girl. Miss Mary is as cute as a button. She was mildly tolerable of the two cameras in her face, and very fun to sit and eat cookies with. I am fully convinced that she and Hannah need to be BFFs someday.

Later in the weekend, I was able to turn my camera onto my nieces and nephews. Looking at these shots collectively made me laugh - they are almost all blue-eyed and blond. Scandinavian ancestors much?

Absolutely adorable though. Need proof?






These pictures are for a top-secret little project I'm working on. It may or may not see the light of day, but rest easy, Mom, you'll get copies of these shots at some point.

It was a fantastic weekend and we owe so much to the good souls who were kind enough to watch our kids while we were away. (Thanks Meggan and Maren!)

Stay tuned - coming this week: Thanksgiving dinner in September and a big boy turns ten.

26 comments:

Annie said...

Fabulous weekend! I'm jealous of Michelle *and* you that you got to spend time with each other. Happy, but jealous.

Loving your photos more every time. Is that even possible?

Travelin'Oma said...

When I saw you were talking about my surprise party and noticed the beautiful blond in the photo, I thought, "Wow! Stie can make me look SO DANG GOOD with photoshop!"

It was an awesome weekend that I'll remember forever.

brooke said...

I loved the pictures on Marta's blog of your family dinner. Market Street is so yummy and how fun to all be there together. What a great family!

Rochelleht said...

She is gorgeous and we have the same taste! I totally have her skirt and love it.

Unknown said...

I don't know why, but every time I see a picture of Craig's little boy, it makes me laugh. He looks EXACTLY like Craig to me. What a fun weekend! Good job keeping it a surprise!

Linsey said...

I looked at the pictures from Marta's blog and you look great...your hair is darling.

Your photos get better everyday and I already thought they were pretty fantastic.

Anonymous said...

These grandchildren are BEAUTIFUL....any chance they get it from their grandma?

Anonymous said...

thanks......You know I WANT a copy!

Anonymous said...

Wow, I'm not sure I can handle the fame Stie. ;)

Thanks for your kind words and gorgeous photos, you made my day!

xoxo, m

Annemarie said...

Beautiful kids, beautiful photography!!

Tristan said...

Again, you are just awesome! Beautiful! What a fun weekend!

Lauren in GA said...

I went over to Oma's blog to see the pictures. You look so beautiful...I like your bangs...did you cut more or just wear them differently? Either way, your hair looks great.

You are way to hard on yourself...but I did get a good laugh out of the Michelangelo comment. You are fun and funny to read and your photography is gorgeous.

I lurked on Michelle's blog, too. She does amazing work!

That little Miss Mary is so adorable and so are those nieces and nephews. Wow!

Emily said...

Sooooooo looking forward to my time!
And I just spent an hour on the web starting with your blog--linking to your photog friend--and then linking to her "Now I lay me down to sleep" site. I have to go grab some tissues.

melissa walker said...

I was hoping that you were going to post on this because I saw Marta's pictures and wanted to tell you how beautiful you looked--loved your hair/makeup/blouse and accessories!

brooke said...

You did look great in Marta's photo. As for the centerpieces, I will tell you how I did them. I have no idea how they are really supposed to be done because I just tried to copy them from somewhere else and this is the ghetto way:

I borrowed the small glass vases from my mom (but you can buy them at Michaels.) I wadded up a piece of green tissue paper and stuffed it down inside each vase. Then I sliced up limes (about 2 1/2 per vase) and lined the inside of the vases with them. Basically, I wanted it to look like the vases were full of limes but didn't want to spend that much money on limes.
You have to cut up the limes no more than about 2 hours before the party because they start to dry up.

I went to Michaels and Joanne's and bought fake red flowers and just cut them and stuck them on the top--see easy breasy!

Good luck!

Cindy said...

It was fun seeing you! Thanks for taking some photos of my children! You did an amazing job.

Jake said...

So glad we got to see you! Darling photos. Someday you're going to do my "head shot"...right?

Liz said...

That is so great! I love surprises and historically I've been a terrible secret keeper, but I'm getting better in my old age.

P.S. I would LOVE a photo like that of me and my girl. That woman is very lucky. I want you to photograph my babes.

Tiffanie said...

OMG!!! I am SOOOO jealous!!! That's like meeting a real celebrity. You lucky and blessed woman. And the picture you took of her and her daughter is lovely!

Sunk Costs said...

OMG what is that soft fuzzy brown thing the baby is wearing and how do I get one?

Jeanelle said...

I'm still sad that Michelle and I didn't get a picture together when we met this summer. So glad you could meet her & sweet little Mary as well. What a fun weekend you had!!

Diane said...

I was about three pictures down in the family photos and saw that you slipped one in of Craig when he was little. Very sneaky!!!

Sunk Costs said...

Yes, that's the brown fuzzy thing I was referring to! You're clearly an awesome present-giver.

kara jayne said...

I'm so glad you did this post. Michelle lives four houses down from where I grew up (the best neighborhood in the world) and just a little further down from where my sister now lives! She went to High School with my husband and his older brother. I've only heard great things about her and had forgotten she had a blog! Now I'm 'in the know'...thanks!

♥Shally said...

All I could think was YOU WERE IN UTAH AND I DIDN'T SEE YOU!?!

I'm selfish that way. :)

Kimberly said...

What a fun weekend! Those pictures of the kids are darling. When we saw Craig and Laura at Michael's wedding I said to their little boy "you are such a handsome devil," his reply was..."I know." He is so cute! What a fun family you have!