So today is Snake Attack Day at our house.  This is the 3 year anniversary of one of our families funniest memories.  I’ll give you a bit of background and then you’ll be ready for the greatest 3 minute video of your life.

I work from home and used to do quite a bit of video work.  One day Danielle pulled up from grocery shopping and as she was unloading she let out a scary scream.  My wife is not a screamer so it really caught my attention.  I asked “what’s going on?” and she said there was a snake.  Right next to me on the desk was a video camera so I picked it up and headed outside.  The following footage is what happened.

Two more things before we roll the footage.
1.  If you are at work, just go ahead and gather everyone around now.  (It will save  you time from having to start and stop the video as your co-workers hear the screaming/laughing.) 

2.  Leave nice comments about my wife.  (I have seen many of you brides freak out over a missing botanear so don’t even make fun of her for thinking a snake might eat her children.)

So, for those of you who follow me on Facebook or Twitter, last week you may have heard me mention/complain about how sore I was from building “The Fort”. My friend Wes came over and basically did all the real work while I cheered him on and paid for lunch. Anyway, without further adu, I give you both video and photography of said fort.

The video below is about 6 hours worth of raw man power. Try not to be too impressed with my shear feats of strength and skill with the power tools.  

Luke loves going up the steps but hates going down the slide. Basically all he does is climb up, play, climb down.  

My favorite thing about The Fort is that both Danielle and I can swing. She is a smoking hot mother of 4 and I’m a pudgy middle aged man so I have included a sample photo of her.  

Sara’s Midwest picks.  Enjoy.

OK, so I’m pretty sure the LAST thing you expected to find on a wedding photographer’s blog was a post about March Madness and college basketball, but hear me out.  This will be worth it I promise.

Once a client books me one of the first things I get back from them is a little Q&A form to fill out.  It has basic contact info, names, numbers, emails, but it also has some random questions just so I can get to know you guys in a bit of a more personal way.  I can’t wait to get my little form back as soon as a couple has booked and I’m always a bit sad when it takes them a while to get it filed out. (Yes Davi, I’m looking your way. :) )

Anyway, one of the questions is What is your favorite thing to do together as a couple?  You know what no one has ever put.  Go out to eat at a fancy place, spend lots of money on a beach vacation, or talk about ways we can get better cars.

It’s always little things like crossword puzzles, board games, and playing Mario Kart.  The reason that is so great is because those are the things that make up “real” married life.  It’s not always out to eat and new car stereos.  Sometimes it’s just leftovers and an old movie and if you can find the joy in that, then you are already off to a great start and long life together.

Anyway, for the past 5 years our little family has done Bracket Time or March Madness.  You pick teams, see who wins the first round, then pick again and keep going till it’s over.  It’s so funny because I think one of our kids has one 2 or 3 out of the 5 times.  Of course there are prizes and trash talking, of course our kids have no idea which team is better or worse, of course it’s a blast and we can’t wait to do it again next year.

So here is my challenge to you.  Do a bracket with your fiance/significant other. I’m just warning you now ladies.  He’ll be excited and confused if you bring this idea up, and he is a man, so of course he has a fragile ego so go easy on him if you end up winning.
 

I have listed a few ideas/rules for you to try out.  

1.  Only pick one round at a time.  That way you get a fresh start and are always still “in” the game.

2.  Set up the prizes ahead of time.
You can do a general 1st and 2nd place prize or be more specific and say if you win you get this and if he wins he get that.

3.  If you see him turning into a competitive “guy” then just let him win and know in the back of your mind that you are better than him.  :)

Here is a link to where you can download and print your own bracket.

Here is a link to where you can watch games on iPhone. 

Hurry up.  The first games start Thursday!

For some reason Sara feels like the purpose of eye shadow is to connect her eyebrows.  

Well, this year Jo decided he wanted a Super Mario birthday party. rather than just get the generic Mario themed birthday stuff, we decided to go a slightly different direction. Retro Mario. That’s right, turn back the clock and welcome to 1987.

A quick note, some of your girls may not get just how awesome all this stuff is, don’t worry, I have included links to help you understand.  Also, this is a great time to forward this site on to your finance so he can see what a cool/hip photographer I am. :)

First off, the invitation. :) Sara still is confused as to how Jo got “in the mario”.  

We had red and green turtles filled with coins for the kids to jump on.  

Chain Comp Pinata  

Jo working it like A-Rod.  

Luke spent the ENTIRE party in his favorite safest place.  

If you have not been to a kids party in a while you may have forgotten, but when that pinata busts it’s like gold falling from the sky.  

This little guy from Jo’s soccer team did not realize the blue bag was for putting candy in. He just kept tucking as much as he could into his arm.  

The children marveling at the cake.  

Me, mourning the loss of the cake.  

Pink Lemonade? How dare you suggest such a simple drink. That was Princess Peach Pink Punch.  

Danielle told me that since I made her take this picture the night we finished the cake that I had to post it.
Yes ladies, the person you hired to document the most important day of your life is a complete loser. I’m sorry.