And so.. I turned 32.

Last week, I celebrated my birthday, and I had such a great day! The Friday before my wonderful man surprised me with an Iphone. I had wanted one, but was not thinking I would get it for a while. I heart my phone!! It is amazing. :) Thanks love!

On the day of my birth, I went out to sushi (my absolute fave.. and still raw!)with 2 of my sisters, 2 of my nephews, and my Momma and Dad. Just so you know.. that isn't even half of my family.

I was also checking out this well recommended sushi place for a client meeting I have coming up..

We had the best time.. laughing at nothing.. harmonizing to the birthday song.. and eating some good food. They even gave us our desserts for free.. Isn't that too cool?? My parents weren't brave enough to try the sushi, but they did fill up on tempura and teriyaki. :) Here are just the girls (and we are missing a sister!!)


Wait.. Fried Ice Cream and Banana's Foster isn't raw!!?? WHAT!!... It has bananas....


Yeah.. I didn't stick to my raw plan that day. ;)



This place had the coolest walls.. I just felt like showing you all. :) I wonder if Todd would let me put this in our bedroom.. Can't you just see this guy over our bed.. protecting us while we sleep....

No?



I also had the absolute delight of not having to cook (or un-cook for me) a single meal that day!

Sidenote time... I love to cook, but when you prepare meals for 2-4 people on a daily basis, 3 times a day, for over 10 years.. It gets a little tedious. :)

Umm.. Can I get a witness??

Anyone???


Thanks to all who made my birthday such a special day. I mean it when I say that I felt very loved and celebrated. :) Big hugs to you all!!

And the rest of the Balboa Park wedding...

Why are most of these in black and white.. Allow me to share a few reasons with you..

1. I don't like to use a lot of actions, but sometimes a picture really works well with certain ones... Old School Fast from TRA was one of my faves for this wedding. Maybe it was the style of dress the bride was wearing, or the outside atmosphere.. It doesn't work with every picture, but it did with this one!

2. I was second shooting, so if I didn't want to process these in color.. I didn't have to. I love the freedom of being the second shooter!

3. We were outside, in harsh sunlight, and that is difficult for me (Thanks for letting me be honest with ya!) Old School toned down some of the shots I loved, but were too bright. :)And the other black and white conversion I ran just made some of these shots pop!

So now.. take a peek and let me know what you think!!










Aha... a picture in color...


The bridesmaids.. I set this up doing headshots of all of them, and then created a collage in Photoshop. :)




My absolute favorite! I love Father Daughter moments...



Another color detail...

The Message Board: My Dress

I found this on a forum today, and just wanted to share... It made me chuckle. :)

Sneak Peak..Wedding at Redwood Circle in Balboa Park

Just one to tease you with... I am editing away, and will put up my faves very soon! :) Stay tuned.

Nathan is still not here... :)

And a few more of my faves from the maternity session...





Just loved this one.. I told her that it would be one of the last times she would be able to get pretty without a little ankle biter to help! :)





My favorite. I love not having a studio and being able to make pictures wherever I go. This was shot in front of her sliding window, with her back to the wall. I wanted the light to be on her belly, and the rest of the picture darkened. Of course, Yin/Yang helped a little too! :)



Can't wait to babysit!! :)

Apple Picking in August.. Not for the faint of heart..

So, back in August, I had a brilliant idea. I thought it would be the perfect time to pick apples because no one would be there. I was absolutely right!! But, there is a reason why people don't pick apples in August.... The 100 degree temperature might be one of them!!

We had fun though and I just wanted to share a few memories from our day. :)

We went here... If you see a man who reminds you of William Wallace..don't shout "Freedom" really loud in his ear... He might not like it. And, he might not get it, since his name is Patrick. ;) That and he lives in a teepee...with no t.v.





My son and his friend Trinity... Her mom and I hope they will get married...


Trin making some fresh pressed apple cider...Umm.. delish!


The whole gang.. and no, there isn't a red color cast.. it really was that hot...


The pose I always get from her..




Where we went afterwards to cool off, although after we all drank a jug of fresh pressed apple cider....Pie and Ice Cream may have not been the best idea... Let's just say 1 long car ride home + 4 tummy aches = lots o'prayer that we make it home without... you know...



One happy little baby...


As we were leaving.. come on.. you know I had to! :)