I was not sure when to make the official announcement. At this point I had no choice as my belly is poppin’ out and makin’ me look like I could either be newly prego or just gained the freshman 15! I went to Chipotle yesterday and the lady at the counter had the guts to ask if I was pregnant and I freaked! I had my poofy shirt on! No one if supposed to notice with my poofy shirt on! So I decided it was time!

We will be finding out whether or not it is a boy or a girl in 12 days! I am not one of those people who can wait. I know, I know…. a little self-control….. the surprise at the end is amazing…..but, I just can’t. If it is a girl I need to immediately begin purchasing every adorable little outfit I can find on etsy! And honestly, that takes time! I need to keep my priorities straight.

This is a photo they took of him or her a few weeks ago! As soon as I saw the screen it was sucking it’s thumb! Check it out!

I am so excited to finally share the news with the rest of my world! I will be posting the sex of the little one on here when I found out but in the meantime, more fabulous shoots coming!!! Happy Thursday everyone!!!!!

In honor of laughing at yourself and revealing the dork in me, here is the photo. Just for you, to brighten up your Friday!!!!

Me, laughing hysterically, sort of in pain, while Ted takes photos. Nice. Thanks babe!!! LOL!!!

Remember, WE LOVE YOUR COMMENTS!!

Meet Peg. Doesn’t she look like so much fun?!?!

I also know the love that she shared with my Pa because someone took the time to photograph their real love.

So to all the photog’s out there, I encourage you to keep it real. What we do is so important to so many and for so many more to come. Have a fabulous day everyone! Remember, WE LOVE YOUR COMMENTS!!!

As they arrived, I handed them their very own Team Kortnee t-shirt… handmade with love. I know, probably a little over the top but, what can I say. Steve (Studio Z Films) and Reagan were good sports!

Rick was especially thrilled.

Kristen (Tres Chic Event Planning) is Rick’s better half. She came in the door saying she was not a big fan of bowling and she was only doing this for me!! HAHAHAHA! Thanks Kristen, nuttin’ but love. MWAH!

I love how everyone immediately got their prop on!

My shirt said 29 of course but my bud Jason was turning 30 the very next day!! So, he had to be Team Jason!!

Ted thought he would be real funny and put on the one wig that looked almost EXACTLY like my hair! HAHAHA! He is such a nut! But, that’s why I love em’ I guess!

Watching everyone bowl with wigs on was just hysterical!! I laughed so hard trying to take these photos!!

OK, DRUM ROLL….. This is my favorite shot of the night! Look how his long locks blow in the breeze as he tosses the ball down the lane!! HAHAHAHAHA!!!! I seriously think I might need this photo in my office.

Obama Ted tryin’ out some tricks!

And Rick trying one of his own…. He used to be a center snapper so, he had skills.

Reagan!!! I love it!!! HAHAHAHA!!!

For some reason Ted’s tongue popped out every time he released the bowling ball!!

It was all so fun to watch!

I have to say that I rolled a pretty good game that night. I think Steve was jealous.

I did roll several strikes but I I would mostly hit all of them down but one!! UGH! So, I decided to try and squeeze it until it popped.

Good times!!!

YEAH DANIELLE! SUPA-STAR!

All my peeps!! Thank you for such a fabulous 29th!!!!

Tonight we leave the land of birthday and back to the world of weddings!! I have a SUPER FUN wedding to post on here tomorrow!!! See you then!!!

Remember, WE LOVE YOUR COMMENTS!!!!

I SOOOOOO want to make the entire post right now but it is 1am and I have an early morning so I will make the full post later today. I have to say that some of these photos make me bend over laughing! Man, we had so much fun celebrating the last birthday I will own up to!!!! Turning 29 was a little nerve racking but it was one of my most favorite.

I got my shoe rental for free…. yesssssssss….. I knew there would be perks for turning 29.   (yes, I made t-shirts for everyone with sharpie markers.)

29 baby!! Man my hubby is so cute…

Ok, check back soon!! The full post will be here and you do not want to miss it!!!

Remember, WE LOVE YOUR COMMENTS!!!!

For his birthday, I invited some of our friends to come over to our house to celebrate!!! I found these ADORABLE little deserts at the Kroger in Hyde Park. How cute are these???

There is nothing like eating dinner and laughing with friends….

We were SO EXCITED to have my sister in from out of town for the party! Everyone says we look like twins…..

Meet Rob. Rob has been buddies with Ted since college. He was a groomsmen in our wedding and has been an incredible friend throughout the years! I wish I could put one of their college stories on the blog but, I am not sure it would be appropriate!! We are so excited to be photographing his wedding Sarah this year!!

During the party, we had craft time. I gave everyone a paper bag, markers, glitter, scissors, glue and tape. They had ten minutes to make a “Ted Head.” Winner won a prize! I am not sure they knew what to think at first but we had a BLAST!!! It was so funny to see what they came up with!

Our friends Steve (from Studio Z Films) and his lovely wife Reagan were there, of course!

Meet our good friends and neighbors Danielle and Gerson. They also help us in our studio! We love you guys!

When the ten minutes was up we went around the group and you had to put on your “Ted Head” and explaining why it looked like him!! Reagan was cracking up as Steve explained himself! Is that gum stuck to the outside Steve??

Ted, I am not sure when you hung out with Reagan wearing blue eye-liner and red lipstick but, I think you have some explaining to do!! HAHAHAHAHA!! Reagan, this totally cracks me up!!!!!!

This is Lisa!! She and her husband Vance are fabulous fabulous friends of ours and look how adorable she is!! When I turned 28 I spent my birthday celebrating with them in New York city! So fun! Little fun tidbit, Ted married them!

Gerson and Danielle’s Ted heads! I have to say, Gerson’s Ted head was a little shocking. I promise you that it looks EXACTLY like Ted’s baby pictures!!!!

This is Jason. He is married to Amy and we LOVE them! They are HILARIOUS and were one of our past bride and grooms! Jason’s Ted head looks a little angry but this is because he and Ted are racquetball buddies! This must be how he looks in the gym!! HAHAHA!!

Drum roll…………….. Gerson was the winner!!! Ted and Micah were the judges! Micah loved hanging out with all the adults! I think he won a bottle of wine if memory serves me right!

Look at all these Ted Heads…. this is a little scary!

Lisa and Vance, you are the best! I am not sure why Ted looks like he is going to punch the camera! We were having way too much fun!!

Steve, this is getting printed for the studio… maybe our new photo over the mantel? I think so. Yeah. I think so.

I am not sure if I am posting this today because a small part of me feels better about turning 29 by doing so!!! Since I was old enough to remember I have been so worried about turning 30! I know, it seems petty but, I have always linked the end of my youthful fun days with turning 30. I guess it is a different stage of life but I have coming around to the idea that your 30′s can be MORE fun than your 20′s because you are more settled and have a greater sense of self. I keep telling myself that. I will let you know this time next year if I finally talked myself into it!!

I am excited to spend this evening with friends celebrating another fabulous year of being alive!!! Cheers!!!!!

Meet Katie. This is her story:

A woman named Pamela  adopted Katie 10 years ago this past August from a farm lady that picked up Katie and 5 other relatives who were left on the side of the road in Boone County.

Pam brought Katie home and for 10 years she has been a loyal companion and friend to Pam. This dog was amazing with Pam.  She and Pam could speak the same language. Pam devoted her entire life to this dog. You see, Pam has no family at all, none. Only Katie.

Pam fell ill a few weeks ago and had to be taken to the hospital where the doctors and social workers told her she would not be able to return home. Her only words were, “my Katie!” Pam is now in a nursing home and trying to adjust. A neighbor has taken Katie to visit Pam several times and she says it is heart breaking to see them together.

I pray with all my heart that you can find a new home for this loyal companion and friend. She has given an elderly lady a reason for living and has years yet to give. She loves children and never ever has been cross to anyone. She barks when someone knocks on the door and that was a good thing for Pam.

The good neighbor has been walking her each day (new to Katie as Pam was not able to walk her) and feeding her diet food as Pam let her become over weight. She does take medicine for thyroid which I believe could be stopped when her weight is controlled.

She is now living ALONE in Pam’s home.  The good neighbor checks on her 3 times a day and walks her twice a day. I hate that she is alone there.

Can you find it in your heart to give Katie a great second home?  If not – will you please pass this link along to your animal loving friends and family members… www.kortneekate.com/blog .Let’s give Pam piece of mind and give Katie a loving “forever” home!!! If you have questions or want to inquire about adopting Katie please call Monica Weakley at 513.6007296. Thank you!!!

Even while we are on vacation I love checking facebook! I know, sad. ☺ But, I must say that it has helped me appreciate even more where we are right now! The many posts complaining of snow and cold has made the thought of returning to the Midwest even more difficult!! Even though it is so incredibly gorgeous here, I don’t think I could live here year round. I LOVE the beginning of fall. I love sitting in my house watching the snow fall while drinking hot chocolate. I love when spring comes around and everyone is in a good mood and those guys who wear shorts as soon as it hits 50 degrees! This family loves change! ☺

I have to say that Kona is AMAZING! For you bride and grooms out there wondering where to go for your honeymoon, I would totally suggest Kona. Downtown Kona has a cool funky feel and is not too over run with tourists. Upon arrival,  I instantly felt more like I was on vacation than in Waikiki. It’s so peaceful and the resorts are amazing. Also, with my sister being here, we have gotten a lot of great information from the locals and they all give Kona two thumbs up!

Since I had to end my post abruptly yesterday (those kids, always having to eat ) I will start off with a few more pics from our day in the North Shore! My sister Meg was super excited to go there as it is known for good surfing! We strolled into the beach a tad late so we had fun playing in the waves and watching the other surfers go at it! Micah, of course, was still cracking me up on the beach while trying to impress the ladies…..

Sundown on the North Shore….

Before heading to Kona we had several days left in Waikiki. Micah was loving every second of it!!!

Meg and I went to see Pearl Harbor while in Oahu. Getting there was pretty nuts though. We began the trip with Meg forgetting her license, so I drove. While driving, I was holding my GPS in my hand so I could hear it. Then I got pulled over and informed that you were not allowed to hold any electronic device while driving in Hawaii. That would have been nice to know. This is also my FIRST official “pull over” by the way. When asked for my license, I opened my wallet to find that I had left it in my hotel room. Yeah, first time that has ever happened either. He pretty much told me that since I was such a mess that it would be way too much work for him to ticket me so he let me go! WHEW! So we headed back to the hotel while totally freaking out about missing Pearl Harbor that when I got to the hotel room to get my license, I left my entire wallet. So between the two of us I had only a license and Meg had only her credit card! Thank goodness we look like twins. When we put the two together, it worked! ☺ I know we were totally meant to make it here! This is a photo of the memorial that sits over the sunken battleship USS Arizona. When looking out the windows, you can see the battleship below. Oil from the ship still rises to the top of the water.

While we were there they raised an American flag!

We also toured the Battleship USS Missouri that was used in World War 2. It was HUGE. I cannot imagine being on this huge ship in the middle of the ocean while people attempted to sink you!

It was so cool to see how they lived while on the ship.

The original newspapers that documented the war…

We have just a few more days in paradise before heading back! We have SO many more photos to post for you!! Ted and Micah are waiting very patiently for me to get off here and head to a super cool black sand beach today for a picnic… so I better head off! Thank you for stopping by! So much more to come!

Our trip began in Waikiki on the Island of Oahu. I love the craziness of Waikiki with all the people, all the shops and all the movement. We had an INCREDIBLE view of the ocean, the city and the mountains! The panoramic was amazing! Ted is a total priceline guy and he always worries that when we show up to the hotel there with be roaches and brown water so we were totally excited when we finally got there! Micah LOVES hotel rooms. I swear that if we stayed in the hotel room the entire time and swam at the pool he would be in heaven. He has spent a lot of time jumping from one bed to the other. That is always a hit! I think while we were in Oahu we ate most nights a Dukes on Waikiki Beach! Has anyone else been there? MAN is it an awesome setting right by the water but the food is awesome! By the last night the waitress came up and recited my exact order. Sad.

My sister is a travel nurse in Hilo right now. So as we speak I am sitting in my hotel room in Kona which is about 2 hours from there. But before I move on, here are some of our fun days in Waikiki!!! This photo was taken within the first few minutes we were on the beach! He was so excited!

Total happiness….. 

Surfing will take a little time….

Even though he loves Hawaii the sun and the water wears him out fast!!

My sis came over to play while we were in Waikiki. She is in the front of the photo with the board! I love little Micah and Ted in the background!

Micah loves just hanging on the board with daddy!

The next day we decided to rent a Jeep and head to the North Shore! My sister Meg was with us! Everyone asks if we are twins…..

On the way to North Shore we stopped at an incredible beach for a quick swim!!

This was the view from the beach! Yum!

I just never know what I am going to get when I ask him take a photo….

See what I mean??

Ok, I have lots and lots of photos I wanted to add to this post but little Micah is grabbing my arm saying he is hungry so this post will have TO BE CONTINUED….. Stay tuned! I will be putting more on tonight so check back in the morning!! Thank you for dropping by!!

Micah was a tad excited when the tree was finally in the stand and ready for decorations!! This is his classic excited face! Those hands go up directly in front of the face and rub together 100 miles an hour!

And then he started playing broom guitar and singing Christmas carols. Who knows…

We hang this sign every year at Christmas. You can tell that he is not quite sure if he has been naughty or nice this year! Every time I would ask he said, “That is a question for Santa, not me.”

I am not sure what I was thinking here….

I love this photo! He spends a lot of time looking at the Christmas village! So sweet….

Ted’s mom and dad came over a few days later to put the last few ornaments on the tree! Isn’t Ted’s mom so cute??!

I love what you find in the bottom of a Christmas decoration tub that you totally forgot you had!

A quick family photo with our tree! Man, I look like I just ran a marathon! Look out!

We had a fabulously relaxing Christmas! Ted’s mom and dad spent the night Christmas Eve so they could watch Micah run up the stairs to see what Santa brought! It was so strange…. he climbed into bed with us Christmas morning and was totally chill. No, “MOM! DAD! GET UP! IT’S CHRISTMAS MORNING!” None of that. He waited for us to get moving! So weird! I remember pulling my mom and dad out of bed before it was light out! Once we made it to the tree he opened some Lego’s and started putting it together immediately. I had to convince him to open more! He never ceases to surprise.

Micah’s favorite gift did not come from Santa. Ted built him an incredible fort bed for his room! For those of you who do not know, Ted is an amazing engineer. He can pretty much do anything. Seriously. I will try to get a photo of it on here. Since Christmas, I have not been able to pull Micah out of it!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday season! Be safe out there tonight!! Happy New Years Eve!!!!!!