On Father's day we had a wonderful first meeting with the photographer who'l be shooting our wedding in September! We traveled down to Dawlish and took some test photos which we were so incredibly excited to get back this week. We were lucky enough to come second place in a competition with Andreea of Vevi photography and Rock and Roll bride to win a full days wedding coverage and engagement shoot for a fraction of the price. It was pretty nerve racking meeting her for the first time but on working together and seeing the end result we just know that she's worth every penny and then some! We are in love with these shots and Andreea's relaxed and laid back manner, plus her creativity make us even more excited to see what she can do on the wedding day itself. Here a few of those images that are so special to us!

Obviously, we couldn't have a shoot without enjoying some portrait shots with our Elin as well. She really was a star for them, with the exception of one very explosive nappy (I didn't really want her in that dress anyway!) and these beautiful images of our family mean so much to me. I can't thank Andreea enough and feel honored to have her photographing our wedding. So a massive thankyou to her, and Rock and Roll bride for this fab competition! You'll make our wedding that bit more special, and we all can not wait!

Beach!

We're lucky enough to have the ocean within a stones throw of our home. I can't tell you how happy that makes me thinking of Elin's childhood. Still in a heat wave at our end we've not been able to really enjoy the beach as much as we'd like. But a beautiful stroll in the afternoon, parasol in hand never hurt anybody!

Her face! This little face honestly melts my heart! I get these moments where I look at her and just can not believe just how much I love her. She really does make everyday that little bit more wonderful.

And as for these two perfect people together? There really is nothing like seeing the man you love, love his daughter so completely. I see his love for her fill him up every day and nothing even comes close in my eyes. I am ridiculously proud of them both!

I hadn't planned on wearing these shorts, but when I put Elin in blue polka dot cullots, and realized how perfectly my own pair worked with hers, it was a no brainer! I'm thoroughly enjoying dressing us in matchy matchy outfits while shes just a baby, because I'm fairly certain when she's older dressing like her mumma will be just the most uncool thing ever!

We don't get photos of all three of us all that often, and then they are mostly selfies! Nothing wrong with a good selfie, but when a lovely couple stopped and insisted on photographing us three it was very kind. I love our family infinate amounts so photos of us all are the best memories. Thank you lovely couple!

With kys this blue you really would think we were abroad! So blessed to live here and enjoy time a a family. How are you enjoying summer? I'd love to hear!

Tess X

Strawberry pickin'

The suns been really hotting up over here this week, and in typical British style everyone's complaining about it! It i proving pretty tricky with a little 'un I have to confess. Little Elin's spent most of the week naked and loving life running free, so to speak! Although this does mean shes peed on the bed on more than one occasion- always my side. Why?! With her feeding more regularly and clothes becoming less and less appropriate, it ha been harder to get out and about. But we've had some cracking times when we have!

I've always had this image of raising my family and starting certain traditions. One of them is strawberry picking! We live close to Ford abbey who have a petty impressive strawberry patch, as well as a whole host of other summer fruits, and as it transpires some stunning corn fields that were a beautiful photo opportunity! I have always wanted to take my children there, teaching them about the fruits of the earth and letting them run free in a safe environment. While Elin is obviously too young to do any of that, and the poor might has yet to even experience the delight of the strawberry, I still felt we had to do it this summer, just for our own enjoyment at the very least. And considering Elin's strawberry hat and dress are getting increasingly small on her we though sooner rather than later would be best. So we had an early morning amble through the strawberry fields last week!

We had a fab morning as a family, and even though Elin won't remember I know I will! And there's no harm starting these traditions early right? It makes me really excited for next year to have our little one running around and picking the fruit herself. It really is incredible this whole growing up melarky! I think of how much our little one has to experience, to taste, to enjoy in the next months and years and feel so excited it makes me tear up. But i'l blame that on my hormones i think!

Do you have any traditions with your little ones once the sun comes out? And how are you handling the heat? I'd love to hear stories and see your pictures :)

Have a lovely day, Tess