Starved Rock

I absolutely love fall. I don't know what exactly it is but I think it's the combination of cool weather and sunny skies, hot chocolate, a warm comfy hoodie, jeans, pumpkins, apple pie, football, and Halloween all rolled up into one. And who can't forget the gorgeous colors you get from nature God gave us too. I think that living in the midwest during the fall season so pretty. You can't get the beautiful landscape of colors and textures that only the change of seasons brings anywhere else.
So, with all that in mind we decided to go on a photo safari with the family and take pictures of whatever came our way. Last weekend, we were fortunate enough to have some free time to drive up to Starved Rock national park in Utica, Illinois. And boy were there colors!

Khris and Kristine toured us

My husband, Mike, carried my daughter, Mikayla, on his shoulders for the great majority of the hike. God bless him! And I never heard him complain. Mikayla also had a great time taking pictures of everything that came her way.

just one of the snakes we ran into

we hiked over to one of the waterfalls in the area

my other daughter, Maddie, also had a camera and did a great job taking her shots

so it was a walking stick that made her walk instead of being carried

We had lots of fun with michele, andy, khris, and kristine who were all on the photo safari with us. It's a lot of walking but so worth it in pictures. We had a great time and would love to do it again but another destination. Till next time!!!

Alexis Hope

Little Alexis Hope Pili is now 6+ weeks old and boy is she adorable!! I had the pleasure of capturing her first month old portraits and had a wonderful time getting to know her and visiting with her parents. Heidi and Gus looked great and were very happy. Alexis was such a great baby to work with that I can see why they probably get some good rest.

these are the cutest little shoes I've seen

she wanted to give us a smile but was a little shy

holding on tight to mommy

surrounded by a soft blanket always does the trick

Heidi still looks radiant

mother daughter time

the first of many sweet kisses from mommy

she's definitely daddy's little girl too

precious toes

and the first of many times daddy will hold her hands

it's so easy to just stare at them when they are this peaceful

Gus and Heidi are just over the moon about their baby girl. She's very lucky to have them and I know they feel just as blessed to have her in their lives now.

Thank you so much for letting me take pictures of these special times for you.