Four.

Tomorrow. How did that happen?!

Santa's Village

We had a fun family day celebrating Lola's (almost!) 4th birthday. We debated over rock climbing, Legoland and Santa's Village and the jolly fella's Summer home won out. Lola LOVES-LOVES-LOVES carnival rides so this was the perfect spot. Some of the rides were even big enough for Mommy + Daddy to ride. I swear she didn't make us go on the Sea Dragon 4 times in a row...wait, yes she did!

Just a couple pics--swamped with edits, so our photos go on the back-burner until I'm all caught up.

Johnny took one look at Santa and headed for the opposite direction!

 The JOY on her face says it all :)

Becoming Mrs. Ronald Anthony Kurek II {kristen hernandez photography}

Silvia was STUNNING on her wedding day. All of us women who got a sneak peek behind-the-scenes before she walked down the aisle were moved to tears at the sight of her. I went up to the altar before Mass started to give my brother a hug and a kiss--and to warn him to try and keep his composure when he saw her coming down the aisle!

Presenting Mrs. Ronald Anthony Kurek II...

Our Olympic Hopeful

Through the woods...

Our gorgeous girl was born to explore. 

Our Captain

John has always loved the way Jeter leads the Yanks. And how he can always be counted on in the defining moments, daily consistent performance and those clutch at-bats. I can't help but look at this picture of a young Jeter and think...that's just how John captains our own team...our family. With quiet, unboasting grace and with consistent performance that would be a safe bet for anyone.

Two weeks ago, he interviewed for a new position with Chase. As with everything he does, he gave much thought and planning during his preparation so that when it was his turn up to bat, he literally knocked it out of the park. Of course we were thrilled when he was officially offered the position, but in my mind, there wasn't a doubt he would be. To say I'm excited to see how well he does in his new role is an understatement.

A true Captain puts himself before the team. When you think about it, it's the Captain who is last off a sinking ship. We are very much a team, he and I, and he often tells me I'm the one leading us. So if that is in fact true, there's no one I'd rather as my Co-Captain and no doubt I could lead without him by my side.

{kristen hernandez photography}

Things have been BUSY, BUSY, BUSY! In the last two weeks I've documented an incredibly styled 1st Birthday party, 2 beautiful young families, 1 seriously precious newborn & a singles weekend event  through CatholicMatch.com, organized by the friend we met in Ireland, Tracy. A working mom is only as good as her support system and mine is Aces--the Trio of Dadddy, Grammy & Mimi!

Here's a little look at some of the pics from the newborn session. Once this sweet guy feel asleep, we had so much fun! Well, actually we had fun from the get-go because I love the ones of him awake, too! We stuck him in an Owl's "nest", a Tonka truck, a Crown Royal bag and a mini Cowboy hat.

Johnny's 1st (and potentially LAST) haircut. Oy vey!

We knew our beautiful boy was well overdue for a trim--had we known his first haircut was going to be so bad, I would have just let it grow forever, kind of like Celine Dion's son. Man! People over at Pigtails & Crewcuts in Orland shouldn't be allowed to have shears in their hands. Told the girl exactly what we wanted, took my eyes off her for a second and before I knew it, she'd botched the job beyond repair. The front looks decent...the side and back views make us wince. Thankfully, he was blessed with Mommy's awesome hair and it grows pretty fast. Regardless, he's still devastatingly handsome!

Our little boy--all that hair gone, he doesn't look like a baby at all anymore. So dapper. 

Wedding {Instagram}

I brought along my "good camera" as my Dad likes to call it on wedding day, and I'll post those pics soon, but for now, here's some Instagram fun...

Lola & Mommy, on our way to the rehearsal. 

BEST. PICTURE. EVER.

Going to the chapel!

Smiling without taking eyes off the road. Impressive, honey ;)

Proud of my hair & make-up, seeing as it was a Sunday wedding and both my hair & make-up girls were unavailable.

The most stunning bride & groom, ever.

Seriously. How freakin' sweet is this?!

She hijacked a bouquet of her own.

Stuber's, the guys go-to florist for years in Mt. Greenwood, did an awesome job. Here, our simple spray bouquets of orchids.

Carbon copies, we are.

Time to party on the trolley. I DO NOT drink beer out of a can. But damn if this didn't taste amazing. Ice cold on a hot July day.

Timothy David, my handsome cousin and one of Ronnie's groomsmen. There was a time he was a lot shorter than me. Those days are long gone.

Silvia's friends were alot of fun!

Smokin'.

Blowing our candles at the reception

My gorgeous aunt & cousin in from Nash.