wendy lynn + chad // humboldt park engagement

Wendy Lynn and Chad are my kind of people. Warm, laid back, sweet, and full of laughter. It is obvious how much they care about each other, how much fun they have together, and how devoted they are to their adorable son, Solomon. Adorable. 

Luckily, we were able to squeeze in a quick engagement session in their gorgeous neighborhood, Humboldt Park, while I was back in Chicago last week. Even better than the location? The moment the sun suddenly emerged after days of hiding behind rain and clouds.

Wendy and Chad, I had a blast getting to know you and learning all about your upcoming summer camp wedding. To say I cannot wait for September would be an understatement. Hope you enjoy your sneak peek!

and this is where i used to live.

I fell for San Francisco so quickly that it seems I forgot how much I once loved Chicago. The architecture, the lake, the el, the city parks. It's a spectacular city in its own right. And even with the fog and rain (which I must have brought with me from San Francisco; sorry Chicago), it was mighty nice to be back last weekend.

I flew in for my dear friend's bachelorette party and it was a blast. I have a special love in my heart for bachelorette parties that involve good food, great friends, and not a single tacky party favor in sight. Nope. Not a one.

Here are some crappy iPhone photos from my very short trip. Photographic masterpieces they are not. But they make me oh so happy.

happiness

Exciting Saturday night here at the Stinnette household. While Dave is hard at work, I am organizing my photo library (I am really trying to get a grip on my file management, which is so terrible it's embarrassing). 

In the process, I came across this one from last summer: 

It's pretty much my new favorite. There are very few photos of me and Dave because well, I'm usually the one behind the camera. And candid photos? Forget it. They just don't exist.

Even though we're not even looking at each other, and I'm futzing with my hair like a teenager, I simply adore it. We both just look so... happy.

And happy we are.


p.s. There is a good reason why most our friends call us 'Mr. & Mrs. Grey Crayon' :)

a look back

truly, twentytwelve was the best year yet. 

it was a year of new adventures and new opportunities. of unrivaled highs and minimal lows. the year dave and i celebrated our five-year dating anniversary and our one-year wedding anniversary. a year of huge promotions, a fresh start and so much love and laughter. the year we saw conan, attended sxsw, and participated in an all songs considered listening party (notable because i met my hero, mr. bob boilen). saw wilco, sufjan, and japandroids, finally went to pitchfork, and rocked out at lollapalooza for the sixth consecutive summer (what can i say, we love live music). 

oh yeah, and it was the year we moved all the way to san francisco to begin a whole new life... with only five weeks notice :)

twentytwelve, you were mighty good to us. 

my favorite moments/foods/images/people of 2012 via instragram:

(jenniemariette)

i cannot wait to see what twentythirteen brings. 

happy new year!!!

(also, go badgers!)

sweet home chicago

Yay! We made it to Chicago!!!

Remember how I was pining for the midwestern winter? Well, I wished for snow and boy, I got it. As I write this, Wisconsin is well on it's way to being buried under ten inches of snow and a huge thundersnowrainsleetstorm is due to hit Chicago any minute. Remind me why I was missing this weather, again...?

In any case, it's wonderful to be home again, to be surrounded by friends and family and all things familiar. I haven't gotten lost in two whole days - it's awesome!