A Moment: Mr. Eli the Photographer
I think one of my favorite activities to do with our friend's son, Eli, is to share what I love with him whether it's watching Disney movies or dancing to the music during the end credits. Or now taking pictures. One evening at our friend's Joey and Jamie's house, Eli and I sat at the counter as they prepared dinner. With the camera strapped around my neck, Eli held my camera in his little hands and took a few hundred pictures. So if any one of you have heard of this renowned mashed potato casserole of Jamie's, Eli has the whole process documented! It was just so fun to see how excited he got, not only in taking the pictures, but viewing them right after—he had to check each one before moving on to the next. He had to check his work of course! He's just such a happy guy!
Brittany and Eric’s Engagement Portraits, Costa Mesa, California
In December, one of my best friends—since second grade—got engaged! Brittany has been known as my laughing buddy because when we get together that's all that happens! She just makes me laugh and her laugh is infectious in the best of ways. Her bubbly personality brings everyone in as if you've been friends forever. And that's how she makes you feel, even strangers. And she sure knows how to have a good time! That's a guarantee when spending time with my P*A (stands for pineapple, don't ask). Four years ago she met Eric. Eric in so many ways is Brittany's perfect guy. After so many years of Brittany making all of us smile, now he makes Brittany laugh and smile—all the time. So if you know Brittany, and thought she was so happy before, wait until you see Mrs. Totah-to-be. You can't help but smile—the whole time! Your cheeks will hurt! In a good way! ha! I am so so so excited for their wedding this November! I am so excited for all the dancing during the reception, but most excited to be stand up with Brittany as one of her bridesmaids as she becomes Eric's wife! Ah!! This is too much
Christmas Portraits / Amie, Matt, and Bonnie the Puppy Dog
I have been so antsy to post these pictures but as they were a Christmas present for my friend Amie's mom, I had to wait. And wait. And wait. I took them just a week after Courtney and Andrew's maternity photos, so it's been quite awhile! Amie and I have been best friends since April 10, 2000, at least that's what we like to tell people as that was the day we left for our eighth grade trip to Washington DC. Who knew then that 8 years later we'd be back there again, but this time for Amie's graduation as she completed her bachelor degree in political science. I certainly, never ever, would have guessed that! In those eight years we have taken thousands (literally) of photos together, documenting all of the big life moments and all the ones in between. And now, here we are again, taking photos of moments in between. These aren't engagement pictures, they are pictures just to document life as it is now, Amie and Matt, together with their new puppy Bonnie. As a photographer of Amie since middle school, I can guarantee you, I have never seen her happier. Thanks Matt, for smiling for the
Courtney and Andrew’s Maternity Photos | Canyon Lake, California
One of my oldest and dearest friend's is having a baby in just a little over a month and I CAN NOT WAIT! I am so excited! Courtney and Andrew are going to be amazing parents! They love their little Jameson so much already and Andrew may be one of the most excited man I have ever seen to be a dad. The way he looks at Courtney is so genuinely sweet and he would just randomly reach over and rub her growing belly throughout the evening, even when I wasn't asking him to. Courtney and Andrew have been together since Courtney and I were sophmores in high school. Since then, Courtney and I went to junior college and then both attended Cal State San Bernardino together, majoring in graphic design. Throughout it all, Andrew was there by her side, being her biggest supporter and encourager. Then, two years ago, I was a bridesmaid in their wedding and got to stand up with them when they pledged to love each other forever. And here we are, awaiting their first child. So needless to say, I feel like we've all been waiting for this moment for 10 years! And now you've
Twenty Five, Tacos, and Treats
As with all good birthdays, there was food. This post is actually less about my birthday but more about what I ate on my birthday. But that's okay with me! Did you read my 25 Wishes post a couple weeks ago? Well, here I mark off two wishes! seafood dinner chocolate chip cookies Thanks to my husband and Kathleen for checking those goodies off! Andy made me, our friends, and my family shrimp and shredded beef tacos. He didn't want to be photographed even touching the shrimp so you'll see I had to get creative on that shot! He also made a jalapeno white sauce that they serve at my favorite Mexican restaurant, Miguel's Cocina, on Coronado Island. Yum yum yum! Then Kathleen made me cookies!! She makes the BEST cookies! So delicious
Too Fat, Too Furious Food Trucks
Were you watching The Great Food Truck Race? My husband is nothing short of obsessed with the show. So when my friend Brittany posted on Facebook about a food truck meet up in Fullerton, we had to go! Getting there and seeing all those trucks and massive lines was rather overwhelming so here's a quick glimpse into what we had that night so that if you go to the next one, you'll know where to stop (and where not to)! But first, a photo of our drive to Fullerton
The Vintage Marketplace
On September 10, the girls and I (plus little Eli) went down to visit the Vintage Marketplace in Rainbow/Fallbrook. I had first heard of it on the blog, Huckleberry Prairie, and had it saved on my calendar since she went in June. It was so fun walking around all the little shops, there was so much more little knick knacks than I was expecting! I thought there would be primarily larger pieces of furniture and decor but I think there were more items that could fit in the palm of your hand
Reminiscing San Francisco 2007
As our wedding anniversary gets closer, I start to reminisce about the past and occasions that I promised myself never to forget. One such occasion would be the trip my best girlfriends and I took a month before Andy and I got married in August 2007. It was one of my favorite trips I have ever been on. It was a time in life before marriages, babies, graduations, conflicts, careers, and moves across the country. A time where we were just six women who were looking forward to living our lives without a care in the world. And the laughter, the gut wrenching, cracking up til you're crying laughter. I will always remember this trip so fondly and whenever I think of San Francisco, I think of these girls and these friendships that I cherish so much. P.S. I don't have these photos on my computer so these are linked from Myspace. Holla back at that!!
Mental Photographs
I love to take photos of everything I do in life. My camera is something I like to keep with me at all times as if it was another appendage. But what about those moments in life where you can't have a camera? Or your husband highly suggests you to put it away so you don't carelessly loose it while speeding down the mountain on an alpine slide? Well, these moments require a mental photograph. I am so very bad at these but in reality, mental photographs force me to live life in its fullest reality, rather than behind the lens. If I just snap a photo, I feel like I just took my memory and I can review it later rather than enjoy it right then. When the camera goes away I force myself to remember the moments right as they happen
Living Life to the Fullest in Southern California, Part 2
Thanks for joining me yet again on a short tour of Southern California! View part one of Day 1 and 2 if you missed it! Day 3 Ahhhh, Beach Day. Amie and Joyce would get together once a week, before Joyce moved, to go to the beach. A different beach each week as well, a sort of tour of So Cal beaches, in a way. But this time I got to join them! A day designated just to relax with little to no schedule to follow? Sounds perfect! Of course, I still managed to make a schedule. I just can't help myself! We started the day (after Coffee Bean, my favorite) by heading down to the Rainbow Sandals outlet store in San Clemente. Can you believe I have never had a pair of Rainbows before? It's like I haven't lived here my whole life or something! After we made our purchases we drove north along the coast headed to Laguna Beach. Andy once took me to the beach below the Montage and I have gone back there for every beach trip since as it is a relatively peaceful beach, not too many kiddos and not too many people in general. After the ocean wading,