“What people aren’t craving is perfection, or shockingly high standards. People aren’t longing to be impressed. They’re longing to feel like they’re home” – Shauna Niequist

Meet my bestie and her family. You may recognize Erin  + David from their engagement photos back in September. I loved loved loved spending a crisp, winter Sunday with this wonderful family. Before heading out into the cold, we ate too many waffles with warm apples and cinnamon and chocolate sauce and everything else that is good in life. After some running around trying to find clothes that matched, we were off. So without too many more words, here is the Blackaby family. They are kind and the funniest. And what they lack in the ability to take candid photos, they make up for with their warmth and grace and love.

Before we finished up, I jumped in front of the camera for a few. Definitely a good decision because Erin and I got our favourite photo ever out of it. Also Erin, David, and I got one of our classic third wheel pictures. The question is, who’s the real third wheel? Thanks to Erin’s dad for the photos!

After all of the photo shenanigans, we all piled back into the mini-van and headed back to the Blackaby home to warm up, eat some more yummy treats, and decorate the Christmas tree. With Celine Dion playing in the background (annnd maybe some interpretive dancing) the messy, homemade, memory-filled ornaments were brought out. I loved hearing the stories and laughter behind all of them. There were some not-so-messy ornaments too, brought back from when the Blackaby’s lived in Norway or given as gifts from Christmas’ past. It was such a fun, special time. The last before Erin + David got married. The first with David there as Erin’s fiancé. Sunshine pouring through the windows and snow on the ground outside. It felt like Christmas. Such a wonderful season.

Thank you Blackaby’s for inviting me in on your traditions this year and for letting me photograph you. You guys are awesome and I always, always love spending time with you all.

I am now booking for the 2015 wedding season. Email me at michelle@michellekarstphotography.com and we’ll go for coffee {my treat} to chat more about YOUR big day!