Yes I’m still alive.  I know how worried you all were 🙂  I had to take a little time out from blogging to catch up on clients, editing, updating, and well just life in general.  I’ve been setting more time aside to step away from my computer and focus more on my husband, friends, family, and my doggies (who lay anxiously next to my desk waiting for me to throw their toy ‘one last time’ down the stairs).  Ok now I’m going to get all sappy on you for a minute…you’ve been warned.  I’m very blessed with the most AMAZING husband.  He really does love me unconditionally.  Even on days when I think I’m crazy, he is there with a hug, smile, kiss, and kind words of calming encouragement.  I can honestly say that I don’t know where I would be without him.  I also don’t know where I would be without his family.  They, too, are amazing, and have been such a huge part of my life.  That is why this post is so special to me.  Michele is my sister-in-law.  She is family.  She is also the oldest child, a mother, aunt, and sister.  I could ramble on forever about the Sparing family, everyone in it, and how great they all are in their own ways, but that would take forever.  For now, I’ll finish with this…I feel a connection with all my clients, but there is something different, something magical, that happens when photographing family.  Maybe it’s because everyone is a little more comfortable and relaxed, or that you have a lot more time to goof off.  I don’t know, I just know that it’s different, and this case was no exception.  I was honored to photograph this special day for Michele and Brad.  I told them we were going to take LOTS of pictures, and that they couldn’t really say anything about it…HA HA!!!  They were troopers though, and I couldn’t be happier with the results.   I was able to experiment around a little bit and try a few new things which was fun!  They had a small wedding at the Helena Fairgrounds.  We all pitched in to help the day go off without a hitch.  We all went early to help set up, one of my best friends, Jessica, and I built and designed the bouquets and boutonnieres, some of their close friends officiated the wedding, Kurt and their dad roasted a pig, the DJ was an old friend, and everyone helped to keep the dance floor hoppin (especially the kids).   It was a great day filled with family and a happy couple.  Congrats again you too!  Welcome to the family Brad!