Wedding Pics

I finally got my pro wedding pics.. had to wait 1 year to get all my negatives. I have been working on photoshopping them here and there.. here are a few I've worked on ! :D We really need to sit down and pic which ones we want for our album.. Can you believe we still havent picked out our album pics?! ugggh!

Introducing..

Baby Connor was born 11/13/08. What a cutie patootie!! Here are some pics I took.. he wasnt too happy about me taking pics, course he was only 3 days old!! I just love my baby Connor and his big bro Carson. We'll have a photo session with the 2 brothers very soon!!

Baby Jude needs your prayers!

One of my best friends and coworker of 10 years had a little boy in Sept, Baby Jude Ortiz. He is so precious, little gift from God. During Jennifer's pregnancy she was told there were problems with Jude's brain. She went through many tests and the Dr's encouraged her to terminate the pregnancy. Jude was born 09/02/08, beautiful as ever. He has been growing and developing like normal, except that his head size was in the lower percentile. Other than that, he smiles, laughs, has learned to roll over, all the sweet things babies do in the first few months.

Last week, Jude started having seizures. After a few days of spells the Neorologist (sp?) finally advised them to take him into Cooks ER. After many tests, an MRI, they have been told that he may not make it past early childhood, and will not live as a normal child. Jenn & Mike are such great people and truly need all the prayers they can get! They need prayers to keep their strength so they can be strong for baby Jude and strong for eachother. Click on Baby Jude in "blog life" on the right to read more about Baby Jude. Jennifer updates her blog pretty frequently to help keep her family and friends updated. We love ya'll!!

The Hardaways

I took pictures of my Best Friend Melissa and her family. It's really hard to get bad pics of them, they are all so photogenic!

Here's just a few I took.. I think I ended up with 80 something really good pics. I had a really good time! Isn't Carson such a cutie pie?!

Love you guys!

I'm gonna be an aunt!

My Sis is prego!! One thing that makes me the happiest person in the world are my two little angel babies, my nephew Noah and neice Ashlyn. I cannot wait to have another one I can play with and take places!! Hopefully Sis and I can be prego together!! She has been trying for 2 years and I think we had all given up hope that she could have a third. Now that she is finally preg, this is our chance :D We're workin' on it.. check back hopefully soon!

Photography

For my 30th birthday, Chadd bought me the camera I wanted so bad (along with my sis, Mom, and in-laws who also pitched in THANKS GUYS!). I got the Canon 40D and I LOVE it!!

I had to honor to shoot with Cris Owens, mother to a great friend of mine, at a wedding a couple months ago and had SO much fun!! I haven't been doing much with my camera lately though. I recently started looking around, trying to see what I need to do to further my knowledge in photo. I have a list of things I want to buy to start the weekend gig and home studio I want so badly, but also know before buying a bunch of stuff, I need to learn in depth about my camera and photoshop.

So, I found a program through UTA where you go through a series of classes and come out w/ a photography certification. A photographer friend of mine said the certification wont do me any good, but the knowledge will for sure. My sister and I started our first class this past Monday, Digital Photography & Basic Photoshop. We are both VERY excited to get started and I cant wait til I'm all done... the certification doesnt do anything, but it will definately be self gratification.

Tomorrow I'm also going to take pregnancy and family pics of my Best friend Melissa, Kevin, and Carson (with little Connor in tummy). I cannot wait!! Just wait til you see the pics.. Melissa is probably the most photogenic person EVER so I know I'll get some amazing shots!!

Saturday I'm taking engagement pics for a really good friend of mine, Wendi & Allen.. They are such a cute couple and I cant wait to get some really cute pics of them!!

At some point I'll start posting some pics on here for everyone to see, and maybe even start a photo blog.. who knows! Sis and I want to start a little business of our own, at some point, and are up for name suggestions so email us if you think of something good!!

Prayers Please!

At the beginning of the year, our family was hit w/ some very devistating news. We found out that my Aunt Pat and Aunt Sue have lung cancer. After a long battle in ICU, my Aunt Pat is still recovering.. which we thank God for every day. My Aunt Sue is still going through Cemo, and we are still praying every day for her recovery.

This past week, our family was hit with even more devistation. My cousin Johnny, who is only 45 years young, with a loving wife Linda, and three small children, has cancer. The cancer is in his rectal, colon and bone and is between a stage 3 and 4. He is still in the beginning stages of meeting with Dr's to determine what steps are going to be made to rid this terrible disease. We just need a ton of prayers for our family. We have a huge circle of prayers and support through our family & friends, which brought my Aunt Pat back.. and we need those prayers and support again.

For the family who wants to read his story and keep up w/ his progress, you can go to http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/johnallevato.

To Johnny and the family - We love ya'll very much! Keep your heads up and stay as positive as you can. Your family and friends are behind you, praying for and supporting you! xoxo

Our 1 year anniversary!

I cant believe its already been a year!!! WOW!!! And its been so GREAT! Everyone says the 1st year is the hardest, if this was hard... I cant wait to see what lies in our future. I cant wait to spend the rest of my life w/ the most wonderful man!

So.. for our anniversary we're going to Jamaica in November, we postponed the trip cause of work reasons. We cannot wait!! We're also going to Vegas in Sept for our friends 30th birthday, but will celebrate 1 night for our anniversay too :D

Anniversary celebration here:

Sat night we just went to laid back dinner at Fadi's, BEST food ever!

Then Monday on our actual anniversary, I took Chadd to see "Tropic Thunder", which he's been dying to see. We went to Studio Grill and had dinner while we watched the movie. It was a really fun night. BUT.. the best part is before we left Chadd gave me my anniversary present!!!!

I got a dozen red roses and the sweetest card with a letter he wrote to me. Inside the card was also a pic of a little pup... YEAH!!! I finally get a baby yorkie pup!!!

So, I introduce to you a new part of our family..... PIPER!!!!

She is the cutest little baby I have ever seen before.. and we just knew when we saw her she would be the one!! She is 12 wks and only weighs 1.3 lb. She will get around 4- 4.5 lbs. We picked her out last night.. I took her to the vet this morning to get her checked out and she is perfect!! I cannot wait to spend my life w/ this little angel baby! We are SO in love w/ her already! Kitty isnt so sure what to think just yet, but she was sniffing at her and I'm just hoping they'll be best friends! Here she is!

I have the best husband in the world!!! :D :D :D

30th Birthday Bash!

I must say I have the most fabulous husband and bestest friends EVER! And yes, I'm bragging.. Chadd, Steff, & Ashley put together the most "RAD" surprise birthday party!!!

We started out going to dinner.. I knew we were going to dinner, but I had no idea I would show up to find about 50 of my closest friends celebrating with me! We went to BJ's and it was SO much fun and the pizza there is to die for!! I was really overwhelmed at the amt of friends I had to share the big 3-0 with! I cannot thank you guys enough for being there w/ me for my bday dinner! People started leaving, saying their goodbyes only to find later that they were leaving to head to my 2nd surprise!

Awwww, check out my birthday cake Chadd got for me!!!

Steffanie and I at dinner!!

We went home first, not sure if Chadd was trying to throw me off or if he was waiting to make sure everyone else got to the 2nd location. I ride w/ Ashley over to the 2nd location, blind folded of course. They lead me into the location.. I take off my blindfold and I am straight out of the 80's.. think flashdance, Magnum PI, and the 80's rodeo. Chadd rented a skating rink for my party and everyone dressed totally 80's!! It was a freakin' blast and most came out w/ war wombs!! ha haa..... Skating + alcohol = bruised knees and LOTS of fun!!

The whole group!!

Chadd and I in our 80's jogging suits (Thanks Nicole!!)

"Rusty"

Send me your pics!! I wanna create a photo book w/ all the pictures from the night!! Thanks again to my wonderful husband and all my friends!! Love you all very much!! I will NEVER EVER forget this birthday!!

Magnet Invitations!

Check it out!! http://www.magnetinvites.blogspot.com/

I have been making magnet invitations for all the showers I've hosted in the past year or so.. I have a really good time making them and I get so many compliments on them... they are really really cute!! So, I decided to start making and selling them! It really is a great idea for an invitation cause that way when people get them, they can put them straight on the fridge and will see it everyday... your date definately wont be missed :o) Anyway, check it out and feel free to forward the blog on to anyone you know.

Here are a few of my favs!

Playin' Around...

As I was uploading all the Hawaii pics on cd's last night, I started palying around w/ a photo program I have.. And yes, the cd's will be going out soon for those who have been patiently waiting on them for over a month now :o) I took these pics w/ a regular digital camera.. I cant wait to get my 30D :o) :o)

34 DAYS!

Ok so I'm a huge nerd when it comes to my birthday!! I get really excited and I swear I count down the days every year.. About 2 months out (ok 6 months) I start telling Chadd what I want, where I want to go for dinner, what I want, what I want.. trust me, he prob already knows what I want for next birthday! I've already given him my anniversary and Christmas list (course they change daily)... I'll share those lists in a later blog, I know you're curious! HA!

BUT, this year is a special birthday.. I'm turning the big 3-0! I'm not sure whether to be excited or to ask for a gun so I can shoot myself, only kidding! I'm really excited 'cause I have made it very clear to Chadd that I want a 3-0 blow out.. I'm talking a freakin parade coming down the street w/ the highschool band and floats.. ok so not that elaborate. But, yes I do want something big. I'm not that birthday gal that expects everyone to drop their Sat night to party for muuaaahh and can hardly remember the last time anyone planned or went out for my birthay. This one though is different! I'm thinking something fun fun like a river trip, renting a party barge on lake grapevine, "surprise" party, just something fun that everyone will enjoy doing (hint hint). Chadd seems to have something lined up, we shall see :o) *save the weekend of May 30/31*

So back to my gift list.. there is actually only 1 item on the list this year. And this is probably the only reason I am actually excited for my 30th. I have had a passion for photography since I was in photography class in HS. 1st I loved my teacher, 2nd it was a blow off class, but most of all I really really enjoyed taking creative pictures.. this was back in the 35mm days, ha! I have always loved taking cool pics of different things and people but really never thought I could ever have the opportunity to take professional (or semi-pro) photography. As it is just a hobby now, I would LOVE to get into it professionally. Anyone who knows me (especially those w/ me in Hawaii), knows that no matter where I go I'm looking for something creative or a creative way to take pics, lighting, etc. I really just think I have an eye for it... I hope so at least.

Coming up on 30, I was thinking and thinking "I wish I could do something I would just get up every morning and love to do", "I wish I could find a passion for something".. and I thought long and hard about it and kept coming back to photography. I talked to Chadd about it, and he is so wonderful and encouraging and told me if if I have such a passion for it, to go for it!! So, I'm going to! I think I get my passion from my Dad and Sis.. and I'm so excited cause after talking to my sister about it, she got a Canon Rebel XTI for Vday (birthday & Christmas too, ha!). We would really love to take pics as a hobby, but together. We plan to start a website once we start taking photos so we can show everyone our work.. we even have our 1st "client" (I mean guenia pig) for engagement pics, Thanks Katie! :o) I just cant wait to get my camera and cant wait to start taking pics.

I am looking at either the Canon Rebel XTI or the Canon 30D. After talking to a couple WONDERFUL photographers, I have been encouraged to get the 30D. I'm still checking it out, as I do still have some time. Any suggestions are MUCH appreciated! :o)

Check out my FAVORITE photographers:
http://www.kjimages.com/
http://www.peyronetphotography.com/
http://www.chrisowensphotography.com/

So, everyone get your kids and families ready... ITS PICTURE TIME!

Boot Camp!

So, after the house fire and living from house to house, eating out every night (like crap of course), I went back to working out but couldn't get myself out of a rut. And could not possibly get the pounds off that I had packed on. I had always been interested in attending boot camp, but was always a bit leery of actually doing it.. I was scared of the ferocious boot camp trainers, and I mean have you see boot camps on TV?! Well, I finally decided I needed to do something and 1 day just signed up. I admit, I spent the next week 1/2 eating like crap cause well you know, once you start boot camp that means that's the end of any extra curricular eating (yeah right!). Oh and I must mention that our trip to Hawaii and our new pool played a huge part in joining the camp :o)

I was scheduled to start Monday Feb 11th, but 1st had to attend a "consultation" with my soon-to-be death trainer the Saturday before. He is actually super super nice and doesn't yell at us like you see on TV. So, Saturday I walk into Smoothie King, where I think will be my private consultation and would consist of obtaining my weight, body fat percentage, and measurements.. only to find that this "consultation" would be done in front of everyone else there. As if I didn't already dread the findings of my packed on "fire" weight, in my "private consultation". I pretty much left threatening myself "if you EVER eat another cookie"..."all you can eat is chicken and broccoli for the rest of your life!" It really was pretty horrible. I even called BF Jenn & Chadd to see if they would join me for my pity party!

Monday 4:45am came faster than I thought but I was up and ready to go! Even though I had to go to sleep at 8pm every night, I was actually "kinda" getting used to being up early and enjoying my early morning work outs... Its amazing how much more time you have to cook, watch TV, and hang out w/ your husband when you get your work out done before 6:30am. I actually convinced Chadd to try it, and to this day he gets up every day and works out at 6am. Hooray for Chadd!

After starting boot camp, I knew I was hooked! I took a couple weeks off for our vacation in Hawaii, but other than that I have been very loyal to boot camp (not to say I haven't overslept once or twice). I am now coming up on my 4th month, which will start this coming Monday and I have never felt better! Even though I haven't lost all that much weight, I have lost inches, a TON of body fat percentage, and have gained muscle.. most of all I feel like I have gained the confidence back that I've lacked for quite some time! I am looking forward to starting another month, and am SO thrilled because Nicole will be doing the boot camp with me!

I haven't been able to make all the "consultations" (which are done Sat before camp, and Sat after camp ends) so I don't have my full results. I try and at least keep track of my weight though and so far have lost around 8 pounds. I know I've lost inches and more body fat percentage because my clothes are fitting looser and I can actually see muscle :o) I'll put updates on as I get them too!

*Adventure Boot Camp is in my fav links on the side bar if you are interested in knowing more about the boot camp!

Introducing..

Baby Kamren Michael!!

Our best friends Mike and Jeanie had baby Kamren on 04/15 @ 1:35pm. He was 6lb / 20 in.. he's an itty bitty little thing! We are so excited for you guys and cant wait to meet him this weekend!!! So many blessings for a lifetime of health and happiness for your new family!! See ya'll Friday! We love ya'll!

Aloha!

Kona, Hawaii 03.26.08 - 04.03.08

We were so fortunate to be able to travel to HAWAII to attend our friends, Eric & Tracy's, wedding. We flew into Honolulu and then took a charter plane to the Big Island. Tracy's parents rented an awesome house, just a couple blocks from the beach, for all us friends to stay in. The beaches there are absolutely AMAZING, as you can see in the above pic!

The beach house, 4 bed/4 bath with a pool and hot tub!!!

We had an absolute BLAST with everyone and were so lucky to have met Tracy's family, who live in Captains Hook, HI. They own a coffee and avocado farm in the mountains.. which was very neat to see, an experience like no other! Her cousin, Brer, was so gracious to show us around and take us to the "local" spots! We would have never done such awesome things w/out his help of showing us around; kayaking/swimming with dolpins, snorkeling in Captains Cove, hiking across Lava to a private white sand beach, Waepai Valley w/ the black sand beach.. gosh we did so many awesome things!!

We will never ever forget this trip or the Benton's!! :o)

After a very long 8 hour flight, we finally made it to the beautiful Kona Airport on The Big Island! The airport is behind us in this picture.. it was the neatest airport and was all outdoors! (please excuse the way I look, being in a plane all day doesnt make for a good hairdo)

Thurs night Chadd and I had a dinner date at the Fishhopper in Kona. It was real yummy and we had a great time together!

The girls Friday night at Aunt Lori's house for dinner... FUN TIMES!

The guys had the BEST time on the mopeds they rented for the week!

Chadd and I before the ceremony.. yes Chadd married them and in that outfit! ha ha.. Tracy picked it out so it was all planned that way!! He did a great job and I think it made the ceremony more special for Tracy & Eric!

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Eric Gooch!

Such a happy couple and didnt the bride just look absolutely beautiful!? Love you guys!

This was taken at Waikiki beach, in Honolulu... It was one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen before! We flew back to Honolulu from The Big Island and got stuck there for a couple days, because of Aloha airlines going bankrupt while we were there. The 1st night we stayed in a hotel that looked like it came from Division St. in Arlington (it was GROSS). The 2nd day, we were told there was no way we were getting off the island so we decided to go sightseeing.. we rented a convertible and off we went! We were able to see Pearl Harbor and stay in the most AMAZING resort (thank you Jenn M.)! We were both really happy we got to see another island and have a whole extra day and night in Honolulu!

There are so many more pics.. I think around 900 of them! I'll upload them, someday, so everyone can shuffle through them. We had quite the adventure and other than our honeymoon, was the most amazing vacation of my life! I can't wait to go back someday!