The day after Christmas I flew up to Michigan to spend several days with my boyfriend Nick and his family. Nick's parents (Steven and Maureen) live in this beautiful house (that Steve built!).
![From Tennessee to Michigan and back again., Julie Roberts Photography](/photos/235/1074.jpg)
Just behind the house is a huge pond.
![From Tennessee to Michigan and back again., Julie Roberts Photography](/photos/235/1075.jpg)
When I visited last August the pond was covered in lily pads. This time it looked really different. That thing was frozen solid and covered in a foot of snow.
So quiet and cold and beautiful.
![From Tennessee to Michigan and back again., Julie Roberts Photography](/photos/235/1076.jpg)
Yes, we attempted a skate on the pond. No one was permanently hurt. I don't have anything else to tell you about that experience and there are no pictures thankfully! But here is a cute one of our skates. Those evil things.
![From Tennessee to Michigan and back again., Julie Roberts Photography](/photos/235/1077.jpg)
One lovely frigid day Nick and I decided to visit the
Matthaei Botanical Gardens in Ann Arbor with Nick's sister Melissa and her fiance' (whose name is also Nick). The botanical gardens had an indoor conservatory where it was warm and humid and full of so many gorgeous plants and flowers.
Here is an official picture of me and my sweetie:
![From Tennessee to Michigan and back again., Julie Roberts Photography](/photos/235/1078.jpg)
So it turns out that I really love to photograph plants. Go figure.
![From Tennessee to Michigan and back again., Julie Roberts Photography](/photos/235/1079.jpg)
![From Tennessee to Michigan and back again., Julie Roberts Photography](/photos/235/1080.jpg)
I love this picture of Nick (good grief, I love it!) I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. Not only is he the most handsome thing God ever made, but he also loves to have his picture taken. I am one happy photographer girlfriend.
![From Tennessee to Michigan and back again., Julie Roberts Photography](/photos/235/1081.jpg)
Moving on ...
So Nick's sister Melissa and her fiance Nick got engaged on Christmas Eve.
(CONGRATULATIONS YOU GUYS!)
They came with us to Ann Arbor and I did a teeny-tiny-mini-engagement session with them.
Melissa and Nick:
![From Tennessee to Michigan and back again., Julie Roberts Photography](/photos/235/1082.jpg)
I didn't realize they were super models.
![From Tennessee to Michigan and back again., Julie Roberts Photography](/photos/235/1083.jpg)
The conservatory was the perfect spot for this session. It was absolutely freezing outside ... and inside here was so warm and cozy. Plus it had the look of the outdoors and since the roof was made of glass we practically had outdoor lighting too. We didn't even plan it! Honest.
![From Tennessee to Michigan and back again., Julie Roberts Photography](/photos/235/1084.jpg)
Melissa is such a cutie! She will be a stunning bride!!
![From Tennessee to Michigan and back again., Julie Roberts Photography](/photos/235/1085.jpg)
![From Tennessee to Michigan and back again., Julie Roberts Photography](/photos/235/1086.jpg)
![From Tennessee to Michigan and back again., Julie Roberts Photography](/photos/235/1087.jpg)
Here is a slide show with a few more images of Melissa and Nick:
P.S. Happy New Year from me and Nick!