This post has been over 4 years in the making.  Although we've only had our new home since the spring and starting living in it this summer, we've been saving, working, and searching for the perfect home.  The market here in Bergen County isn't easy.  Homes go quick and to find a home that really has everything you want and in your price range is pretty much impossible .  We knew the only person Joe and I trusted to help us with this task was Mike Russini.  While Mike is family, he is also honest and someone we could trust with helping us make this decision.  When we were ready to start searching we had to jump on a house when it was the one, and low and behold, the one was house #3 on our first day of searching.  I'll never forget going to see it around 5:00, it was dark and we were tired and the minute they started talking about construction I was on my way out the door.  But Joe and Mike couldn't let this house go within a few weeks it was ours! It was the perfect mix of needs work but not a complete tear down.  While we had a lot of work ahead of us we had a ton of great help from family to get us through.  Joe did an insane about of work through the spring, spending nights at the house sanding, spackling, and waiting for me to pick paint colors.  While there's still work to do, (not even showing you the basement right now) we truly love living here, this home is really a reflection of us and Colton.  It's just the right amount of space we need right now with an awesome backyard.  We always knew when we left south Jersey our next home would be the forever home, I just never knew how complete it would make us feel as a family. 

Was this the summer of firsts? It seems so when I got to check another box off the list by heading down to LBI to spend time shooting Kim and Phil's beach engagement session prior to their winter NYE wedding! Although this wasn't my first time shooting at the Jersey shore, you can see Jen + Matt's LBI wedding and Amy + Jason's day, it was my first engagement session, which is such a different feel than a wedding.  We really utilized the three things that make the beach: sun, sand, and the water. We kept it simple and just enjoyed the weather and near empty beach.  One thing I love with engagement sessions is you can totally work the timing around your wedding. Phil and Kim decided on summer and the beach since they'll be in the dead of winter and hopefully snow for their wedding.  Have contrasting photographs of you two will bring the diversity needed when hanging these memories in your home.  Thank you Phil and Kim for spending some time with me while on vacation! Can't wait to count down the new year with you guys in a few months!