Two

My sweet baby turned two today. TWO.
I can't believe it! When people say that time flies...they aren't kidding. I feel like it was just yesterday that I was up with her all night...holding her, trying to rock her to sleep...
Oh, wait...I was.
Ah, yes. The joys of motherhood. :)



Really though...Abbey Grace has been the most amazing blessing. She is so wonderful! She likes to 'help' mama and dada whenever she can. She loves to give kisses...though not on command. ;)
She doesn't like to do anything on command, come to think of it...but she's cute! ha ha! Good thing she's cute...



Despite the tantrums, the sleepless nights (really? How long are they supposed to do this?), the 'flung' food, spilt milk, the scowl, the whining, etc...despite all of these things (which I'm told are COMPLETELY NORMAL--I have to repeat that phrase three times every day)...
This kid ROCKS!



I just can't imagine my life without her. I miss her every minute that I'm not with her...even when I desperately need the break. It's strange...like I'm missing my right arm. She's just a part of me. The miracle of child and mother. I can't really put to words what it feels like to be her mommy. It's the most incredible gift.



She is so precious and I'm so blessed to have been given the chance to care for her in this world. We thank God every day for her presence in our lives...her silly, determined, sassy, rambunctious, loving, playful, talented, cuddly, strong-willed presence.

It's exactly that...which we couldn't possibly live without.

I love you, my Squeaks! Happy 2nd Birthday!!!
love,
Mommy

I'm back!

Okay, so I've been back for a little while...but as soon as I returned from the most AWESOME WPPI experience ever!, Aaron (the most incredible husband in the world), had planned an amazing birthday get-away weekend for me. Yup, I'm 29 years old. CRAZY. I hear this is the last birthday that you officially have? That you just keep celebrating '29' for the next 50 years or so? I hope that's true!
Anyhow, my husband is incredible and had everything planned out for me. He took me on a romantic escape to a downtown Penthouse... So relaxing!
We had yummy food, lots of fun strolls around the gaslamp district and to Balboa Park (I couldn't believe we did it! It had to have been several miles!), lots of good reading, and we even broke out my new Lowell ID and had a little fun with that! The best part was that we didn't have to wake up with my precious Abbey at 6:00am. Hooray for sleeping in! I needed it desperately after WPPI...just ask my roomie Cathy Crawley. ;)

So, back to business. I have so many shoots to still blog! Getting behind...
Well, here is a really REALLY quick update on a shoot that we did out in Vegas for starters.

Let me start out by saying that the Baxters of Ohana Photography, are awesome! David and Kimi totally put together this rad shoot out in this dried up lake bed at the CA/NV state line. It was so much fun! And seriously, I'm glad I was the photographer and could wear my nice down vest...'cause it was FREEZING!

Poor girls. They were such sports! Goosebumps and all! :)
I had a little extra fun with the post-processing of a lot of these images...some new textures and some just color-shifting. I hope you like 'em!

Here are a few shots of Amber...she was so cool! We totally clicked. And she was a rad model...super fierce...and amazingly beautiful. That's understandable when you have the coolest name, ever. ;)

This first one is almost straight-out-of-camera. Isn't she beautiful?




Leslie was really amazing with her fire-red hair and sass! Her black tu-tu was so cool...and the fabric added a whole new dimension to the images.




This is Rylee. She was so spunky! I loved it! I guess she had a couple of awesome outfits earlier in the day...but we missed 'em (had to listen to one of our fav photo heros at the convention--Jerry Ghionis!)




And finally, this is Dailazsae. She had one of the most stunning looks I think I've ever seen...so beautiful...and such a good sport despite the chilling winds! She was the last model out there...I think I may have gotten back into the car before her! :)


So, there are a few shots from the week in Vegas. We took lots of roomie shots...but my roomies still have them! Eh-hem! ;) Hopefully I'll get them soon from them so I can show you the fun 'jumping on the bed' photos we took at the wee hours of the night. Silly girls.

I need to go jump into my bed! Night!

Out of the Office...

Well...its that time of year again! YEAH! I'm headed out to Vegas to attend an awesome photography convention, WPPI, with a bunch of my amazing photographer friends!
I'll be gone from the 14th thru the 22nd, so I'll be able to show you lots of fun stuff when I return!

Later!
-a

Ryan & Meredith Engaged!

Well, I'm a little behind in my posting, but I really wanted to share some images from Meredith and Ryan's E-session before Christmas!

These guys are amazing. They have maintained their sweet relationship across States! Meredith was in Florida and Ryan was in D.C....and they are planning their wedding in San Diego! Is that crazy? (Luckily Ryan's mom lives here and has been an awesome help.)

It was so awesome to finally meet the two of them and to get to know them a little bit while hanging out shooting. :) They were so awesome! Up for anything, and have really fun personalities. I'm so excited to shoot their wedding this fall! I had to soak as much of them up as I could because I won't see them again until the wedding in August!

Recoginize this window? I love this building!!! One of my favs now...


But this time we went inside! And then I fell in love again...




Another AMAZINGLY FUN shot! Are they HOT or what?!?!?
Like I said...up for anything! ;)


This is hilarious! We were walking down the street and I saw some cool doors on the firestation so I had them run up to pose next to them. Just then the doors opened scaring us all! A firetruck was coming down the street. Anyway, we asked to take a few with the truck, and then Meredith asked to borrow one of the firefighter's helmets...it was AWESOME!

I wish we had more time to play, but the firefighters were, like working or something... ;)
YAY for San Diego Firefighters!!!

























I had such an awesome time with you guys! I'm so excited to shoot your wedding! :)

Aaron & Keri Engaged!

For Aaron and Keri, it all started in OB.
What better place then to take their engagement photos?
Though it was tough to avoid the crowds...we had lots of fun discovering neat spots and enjoying the awesome San Diego weather!



Ahhh...so SWEET!!! ;)


I love the creative murals everywhere. It was hard not to stop at every one for a few shots!


After mousing around for a bit...we went and gathered the rest of the family. :)


The pups were so good! I couldn't believe what great models they were!
It's a good thing they came with us that day for a 'dry run'...because I hear they might make an appearance at the wedding!

I love this photo! They look like their having so much fun...dog kisses and all!






The weather and sky were so amazingly beautiful that day!!




Showin' off their kung-fu moves!


I love the sas! ha!


We honestly couldn't have custom ordered a more perfect sunset!!!




Congratulations you guys! I had a blast hanging out with you and can't wait for your wedding!!!

ps. Aaron...you did good! ;)