Well hello, beautiful kitchen!We are *almost* done with our kitchen remodel (there is part of a window sill still waiting to be installed and a small amount of touch-up paint), but I was too excited and had to show you guys! I am so, so pleased with how it turned out! (If you can't remember what it looked like before, you can see that here.)People keep asking me what my favorite thing is, but my mind changes daily. I love that our trash can is now inside a cabinet (especially since we have three trash cans in the kitchen -- trash/compost/recycling). I love how white and crisp it is. I love the countertops! I didn't think I was going to be able to afford my dream countertops, but then found them for a lower price and that honed granite makes me so happy. I love the light fixture over the sink. I love that we hung one of my own photos above the table. I love that we now have a microwave! I love how several cabinet designs are gaining us so much usable space! I mean, really. I could go on and on and on (as if I haven't already).There are more photos below, but the big applause goes to our ever-amazing contractor Bill, who we have used with every remodel project in our house. If you have a job to get done, get at me for his number. We gutted this kitchen, redid the floors and put in new everything in 7 weeks. He is always on time (or very close) and he always comes in on budget. And word on the street is that right now he's booked into next winter. So even if you're just thinking about a project in your house, invite him over, offer him coffee and at least get an estimate!Here is a closeup of those countertops I love. And this cord on the overhead lamp makes me SO HAPPY. For your internet shares of the day:+ This story of slavery in the pacific northwest in the last 20 years is amazing.+ I am coveting these shoes right now. Maybe because it's constantly raining here.+ I could easily spend a weekend here.

Last week, I got to meet this super adorable family and photograph their almost-one-year-old. How cute is this little girl? TOO CUTE. And she just kept smiling the entire shoot. It was amazing. Below are some of my favorite shots of the day -- Enjoy!For your internet shares of the day:+ One of my very favorite food bloggers is posting nothing but gluten-free recipes for the month of May, so if that's your thing, you should check it out!+ A gym that offers a class on napping. Do they offer daycare? Because I see an opportunity...+ Chastity Brown is one of my favorite local performers, and you can listen to her new album now over here. 

This weekend I got to photograph my first wedding of 2017 at the Science Museum! I was a bit worried about how it would all turn out, being such an educational (read: bright colored charts everywhere) location, but there is so much natural light in the building that I ended up having a great time!This is a quick sneak peek of Janet and Devin's wedding, but I'll do a more in-depth look in the next few days. Happy Monday, everyone! 

What a year!I was recently reviewing my favorite shots from the family shoots I had last year (just a small handful are above! Those cards covered a ton of my kitchen floor!), and it really got me thinking about what all this year has held.I keep hearing that parenthood has different "seasons," and I do agree with that. There have been times when it is so, so good (and I have been lucky enough to recognize it and bask in it) and other times where it is so, so hard (like the many sleepless nights and ongoing exhaustion). And now that Ezra is 2.5, we are stumbling into the "season of never-ending negotiations." Or, as I'm calling it, the "season of patience."It is so wonderful to see this little human wanting to be independent and wanting to do things himself and not wanting to be bossed around. Please, please hold onto that spirit.But it is also very hard to be on the receiving end of said wants and needs and to be saying the same thing over and over and over again. (Let's brush our teeth! Hey buddy, it's time to brush our teeth! You don't want your teeth to fall out, let's clean them! Real quick hon, we need to clean your teeth! OMG GET OVER HERE SO I CAN CLEAN YOUR GOD FORESAKEN MOUTH. Don't worry. That last sentence is just what's in my head.)But there are also some really fun times. Last night, when Ezra got home from school he was a bit upset because the main floor of our house was empty. Like, literally empty. We are having the floors redone today, and so all the furniture is gone, and this really bothered him. He was about to break into tears, but I offered that we could run and play in all the space, and how about we have dinner as a picnic on a blanket in the middle of the living room! He loved that idea, so this is also the season of "thinking fast on your feet to avoid a meltdown."Anyway, I'm sure I have many, many more challenging seasons ahead. But I also know I have a ton of amazing and fun seasons ahead as well. I'm just trying to enjoy all of them while I can.For your internet shares of the day:+ These human landscapes of Mexico are breathtaking. I cannot get over them.+ I loved this essay on age and how it makes us feel. My mother-in-law and I have talked about this a lot -- how you feel so young, and sometimes seeing a quick reflection in a store mirror can catch you off guard! 

This week has been super busy, but even I have found time to stop and enjoy the beauty of all the blooming trees in Minneapolis.I've never been a huge fan of spring before (blame my allergies and my impatience for "real" warmth), but this year is different. For some reason I'm loving all the rich greens of the neighborhood lawns and the full blossoms on the trees.It's this time of year that I love, love, love photographing families around the flowering gardens, but weirdly this year I'm instead photographing insides of hospitals. Not quite the same, but work is work and I'll take it!You guys, the kitchen renovation is almost done! I cannot wait to show you final photos (I'm hoping to shoot it early next week). I am smitten with how things are turning out.For your internet shares of the day:+ I love this video of Ben Affleck mocking the movie Armageddon (h/t Margaret).+ Nat Geo travel photo awards -- look at that lion! And those reindeer!+ More gorgeous photos of Jupiter.

A few weekends ago, I worked with a dozen or so lovely ladies to build these baggies full of goods. What for, you ask? To give to the homeless.You know when you're driving around town and you see someone asking for help at a street corner? And you either give them your change or your wadded up bills or you pretend you don't see them? I don't really like those options because I don't really know if it helps. But I don't want Ezra to see me ignoring people who need help. I want him to be someone who grows up with empathy and who tries to logically help those he can.And a group of my friends feels the same, and so one of them organized an afternoon where we all brought 50-100 of a certain item, then we set up an assembly line and we all went home with a half dozen of these ziplock bags to hand out to those in need. They contained:• granola bars• wool socks• bottles of water• beef jerky• hand warmers• kleenex• toothbrush• toothpaste• razor• chapstick• wet wipes• a comb• a notepad and pencilNow, when I see homeless folks around town, I feel like I can help them in a more meaningful way, and Ezra and I can talk about it. It didn't take much time, and it was a lot of fun for a quick gathering. If you and your friends are looking for something similar, I highly suggest it!For your internet shares of the day:+ What do chefs check out at other restaurants?+ The coolest curtains ever.+ The history of McDonald's uniforms.+ This read on the backfire effect is fascinating.

How was your weekend?Here in Minneapolis, the weather was stunning. We spent a ton of time outside at playgrounds, on bike rides, eating on patios and at a beer festival where one of Ezra's favorite bands, Koo Koo Kangaroo, played. I think seeing a live "chewbaca" as he called it, up on stage might have been his weekend highlight.The next few weeks are a bit insane around here as I have two big corporate shoots coming up, a wedding to photograph, movers are coming to empty my house as we're having the floors refinished (meaning for several days I won't be able to walk on the main floors) and we'll be living in the basement. So yeah, things are about to get NUTS.Because of that, please be patient if I miss a day or two of blogging. I promise I'll make it up to you down the road!Now, for your internet shares of the day:+ I love this swimsuit.+ This house is a total nightmare. (Dearest Margaret, do not click that link.)+ If I win the lottery, I'm staying at this hotel in Iceland.