A fun way to spice up your wedding!

On Saturday I stopped by my friend Laura's wedding reception in downtown Grand Rapids.
She had an amazing set up (Aletha with Pearls Events did an awesome job setting everything up!)!
On top of having a fabulous wedding, they also hired The Photobooth Company! After playing around with that it made me want to go back and do my wedding all over again!
If you are looking for a fun thing for your guests to do at your reception, I would highly recommend these guys! Check out more information about this company at Pearls Events
Here is a few photostrips of me, Aletha and Laura!

Amber and Dan

On Saturday I had the pleasure of photographing Amber and Dans wedding!
I had so much fun taking pictures of this group, they are truly and awesome couple!
Rain or shine, they all had smiles on their faces and were up for anything!
They also had a live band for the entertainment!
These guys rocked the house, let me know if you want their info!
I would highly recommend them!
Here are a few pictures from their day:

A Great Day for a Wedding!

On Thursday I photographed Tiffany and Andrews wedding in Holland/Saugatuck!
Not only was it their wedding day, but it was also my birthday :) We had great weather (a little cold, but very sunny)!
Here is a little preview of their wedding pictures. Congratulations Tiffany and Andrew, have a great time on your honeymoon!

Staci and Taylor-So in love!

Tonight we braved the cold and headed up to Aquinas College for a late fall engagement session!
Aquinas is one of my favorite places to take pictures, there is so much beauty in these old buildings and the amazing gardens around them.
Here is a preview of Staci and Taylors engagement session!
I try to limit the previews to 4 or 5, but they are such a cute couple and it was really a beautiful day that I couldn't resist putting a few extra pics up!
Enjoy!

Give Rice-Get Smart

So last night I found this non-profit site that will donate 10 grains of rice for every word you guess correctly. I thought, well I will try it out for just a second. But a second turned into a minute and a minute turned into an HOUR! This site is so addictive. And not only is it fun, but you are helping to feed hungry people!
Here is the information off their website:
"FreeRice is a sister site of the world poverty site, Poverty.com.

FreeRice has two goals:

Provide English vocabulary to everyone for free.
Help end world hunger by providing rice to hungry people for free.
This is made possible by the sponsors who advertise on this site.

Whether you are CEO of a large American corporation or a street child in India, improving your vocabulary can improve your life. It is a great investment in yourself.

Perhaps even greater is the investment your donated rice makes in hungry human beings, enabling them to function and be productive. Somewhere in the world, a person is eating rice that you helped provide. Thank you."

Here is the link, check it out!
http://www.freerice.com/index.php

At least I don't feel guilty for taking an hour out of my night to play on the internet :) I donated 10 bowls of rice last night. How much did you donate? Leave your donation totals in the comments section!

The Hotdog Eating Contest-A Great American Past Time

I just love my job! Today we had a Spout hot dog eating contest down at the Dog Pit!
Here is a recap of the festivities:
The Rules:

The Wall:



The Players:
Pete-9.5


Aaron-12


Daryn-6.5


Dave-12.5


The Dogs:


The Winners!


Congratulations guys, hope you keep it all down!

Summer and Jim

Today I met with Summer and Jim for their engagement session! We had so much fun taking pictures downtown, then, because it was such a beautiful day, we went out to Holland to take some beach pictures!
What a cute couple they are!



Aren't these great hats!!!







After we were done and I left the beach, I just could not put my camera down!
I hardly ever get time to take pictures for myself, so I found this great little harbor and decided to take some boat pictures with my new fisheye lens!
Yummy!



Ok, I think I am done for now :)

Pumpkins

On Saturday I drove down to Saugatuck with Jamie and Ethan!
We came across a pumpkin stand and I just couldn't resist picking one up and of course I had to take some pictures of all the colorful pumpkins!
I love pumpkins, they make me think of all things fall!
Halloween, Thanksgiving, leaves changing color, football...
What do pumpkins make you think of?
What is your favorite pumpkin recipe?
I will share mine if you share yours:

Pumpkin Bread:
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3 cups white sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 cup applesauce
4 eggs
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

DIRECTIONS
Grease three 7 1/2 x 3 1/2 inch loaf pans. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a large mixing bowl combine the flour, soda, salt, baking powder, sugar, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice. Stir well. Add applesauce, eggs, pumpkin, and water. Mix batter with mixer. Stir in nuts. Pour batter into prepared pans.
Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until tester inserted in center comes out clean.
YUMMY!!!!