Gina and Tim are an adorable and so-sweet couple planning a wedding at The Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells this summer. Gina wanted a rustic location for their engagement photos, and we were lucky enough to get to shoot at one of the gorgeous Wilderness cabins on Lake Delton. It worked out perfectly, and their kids got to watch SpongeBob by the fire as we snuck in a few romantic shots outside. A win-win, for certain.

I love these two:

They have really sweet children who were really great sports.

Watching all six of them load up into Tim’s red pick-up at the end of our session warmed my heart a bit. Congratulations again on your engagement, Gina and Tim! I’m so excited to photograph your wedding and your lovely family this summer.

Dawson’s mom warned me that she expected him to be completely non-compliant during our photo session. I think he shocked her when, after a bite to eat and a look around, he settled down for a very deep nap. So sweet.

Dawson’s birth was traumatic and a very scary experience for the whole family. When his mom told me her birth story, it actually brought tears to my eyes. But to see such a perfect little boy just a few weeks later is a reminder of how miraculous babies really are, and how lucky we are as parents are when things turn out as beautifully as this.

Dawson was born just six days before his cousin Aris, whose photos I took last week. He smiled in his sleep, just like her. If I were these kids’ grandma, I would totally want a photo of each of them making this face. Just saying.

Aris came in at the end of Dawson’s session so we could get a few shots of the two of them together. Remember how I said Aris’ name was derived from the Greek god of chaos? Well, when I settled her in next to her sleeping cousin, that’s when the chaos began. Probably a coincidence. I usually don’t do this, but I had to post some outtakes:

After spending a few minutes trying to eat, lick and punch each other, they settled down for this:

And now that your head exploded from that overdose of cuteness, I’ll close.

Lovely to spend time with you, Mister Dawson. You have a head of hair many a grown man would envy.

If there was one word to describe Aris it was “delectable.” I spent the entire session wanting to nom her and doing my very best to resist. Her dad said her name is derived from the Greek god of mischief and rabblerousing or something to that effect, but she displayed none of those tendencies for me. She was simply adorable.

I adore this photo of her smiling in her sleep. Don’t you always wonder what babies are dreaming about?…

I got to try out some of my new little lady props on her, and she was a perfect model. Love the pop of red of this flower. It borders on the outrageous, but that’s what makes it work. At least I think so.

Very nice to meet you, Miss Aris! I look forward to watching you grow…