Our Week in Photos: Cooking Through Colorado
On Monday, Andy and I drove the rest of the way home from spending a week and a half in Colorado. With two back to back competitions in Colorado, Andy and I thought we'd make a vacation out of it and spend the week in between at my aunt and uncle's in the beautiful town of Dillon, just a short drive from Brekenridge. I just love the beauty of this state—especially during the start of autumn, and after you see these photos, you'll totally understand why! We started the trip winning 5th place at the Grand Junction Pork and Hop's BBQ competition in Grand Junction. This was my first time actually competing with Andy, as his sous chef. I still think I did only 5% of the work though! We then drove the few hours into the mountains to my aunts where we cuddled babies, played at the local playground (the neighbor's front yard, haha), celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary, and drove Boreas Pass Road to see the aspen trees turning their leaves into glorious autumn colors. We even got to drive down into Denver for a day and visit my favorite bookstore, The Tattered Cover. And then just this past weekend, we competed
How Andy Proposed, Reflecting Back 8 Years
Yesterday marked our 7 year wedding anniversary, so today marks our 8 year proposal anniversary! That's something to celebrate right? Read how Andy and I met, our MySpace fairytale here. I thought I'd take today to share how Andy proposed, because I just love this story! Once upon a time
DIY Wall Art from Modified Shanty-2-Chic Tutorial
Hi all! I am so excited to share this most recent project with you guys
Photographing My Best Friend’s Proposal
When Matt sent me a text message on the Thursday before Christmas I just knew what it would entail. He was about to propose to my best friend. What started as a discussion on the where and when turned into the who and what as well. I would be starting Amie's morning with breakfast and coffee with a walk down to the Orange Circle where her darling boyfriend would be awaiting her with a ring in hand. Of course, several minute details of the day caused several mishaps like Matt falling asleep after his night shift and barely making it in time to propose and Amie having one of the many colds of the winter season. Those small "almost missed the moment" moments will add the depth every good proposal story needs. I will always remember the day as the morning I cried on the phone with my mom as I drove to Orange County in the anticipation of the day. The morning I drank too much coffee to stall the soon to be bride before the [so far] best moment of her life. The morning I got to witness, and photograph, when my best friend's man of her dreams got down
How I Met My Husband, A Myspace Fairytale
Once upon a time, eight years ago to be exact, I received a Myspace message from a prince from a far away land. Actually one land over from po-dunk Wildomar. I mean, a land flowing with DeJongs Dairy milk and home to the Tigers. I had just graduated from high school a mere five months earlier when I received this random Myspace message from a guy named Andy Allen. A 22 year old at that! I had briefly chatted with him in person after my senior portrait session at his work, he was a pretty quiet guy but I definitely remembered him! To this message I replied, and after a few messages about MSJC's multimedia design program, the lengths began to dwindle from there and then a few weeks went by without a whisper. Then I had an amazing revelation at a church youth event that changed my life
Lauren and Kellen’s Engagement Photos in the Woods, Menifee
Well the wedding came and went in a whirlwind of fun and laughter. Now Andy and I are in cloudy and cold Washington enjoying a much needed vacation while Kellen and Lauren are enjoying a sunny ocean filled honeymoon in Hawaii. Before too much more time has past, I wanted to share a few photos I took of the almost married couple for their wedding invitation. We only needed one photo for the RSVP card so we were there and gone within 15 minutes if not less than that! Here's the photo side of their RSVP card, I will share more of the invitation (and hopefully some wedding photos) next week too. And here's two more that didn't make the cut for the RSVP card but I still just loooooove how they came out! Ah! I seriously just adore them! Mr. & Mrs. Wagoner I mean
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
I Choose Dumplings
For over a month, I pestered my husband. Well I know I pester him a lot more than that. But for the past month, I specifically pestered him to make me a homemade seafood dinner on my birthday. He flat out refused. To me, him making me seafood—a food group he downright despises—would mean he loves me. He cares for me. His sacrifice of cooking such a food, would mean he unselfishly loves me and would do anything for me. Andy has known since the beginning of our relationship that the way to my heart is through food. I just love food. All food. It's disgusting really. But he learned and memorized—before we had even become official—exactly how I order at every fast food place. A task that only my mother could do. When he first recited to me how I would get a burrito with no tomato, extra sauce, and xyz at Taco Bell and then go on to tell me how I order a burger at In-n-Out and then what I would get at McDonalds, I knew two things: 1, I eat out way to much; and 2, I wanted to spend the rest of my life with someone
A Moment: Our Disneyland Stone
Tomorrow is our 4 year wedding anniversary which means 4 years ago today, was our wedding rehearsal. After our rehearsal at the church, we all caravanned to my friend Brittany's house, a house that I have known since I was 6 years old. Her backyard was always the host of special occasions
Happy Birthday Mama!
Happy birthday to the bravest, most determined, woman I know who is the strength and soul of our family. Who always looks to the positive side of things, who dares us to dream, who has unwavering faith in things not seen. Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her. Proverbs 31:2