Have Your Cake!

Desert First.

Thats what my dad, grandpa, and I always plotted to do.

When mom and grandma said, "no",

we would eat teeny bits of dinner and say we were full.

Then about 5 minutes later we had a plate full of cake.

So forgive me for wanting to post the cake pictures first.

It's in my blood.

Desert First.

Isn't she just precious?

Many of you know I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE polka dots.

Baby Marley pulled them off wonderfully!

So what do girls love as much, if not more, than they love chocolate cake??

DIAMONDS!!

Happy First Birthday Marley!

I hope you got all a little girl could dream of!

9 Years Later, Don't Forget Our Troops.

I thought war was for the history books until September 11th.

I thought it was romantic watching movies like Pearl Harbor.

I never, in my wildest dreams would think any of my friends would ever be fighting in one.

I'm not sure what I thought the U.S. military did when a war wasn't going on, but when my friends and family enlisted, I wasn't too concerned.

Then my first friend headed to Iraq.

Some calls from the military hospitals later...

war was more than real; it was all that was on my mind most days.

9 years later this war goes on.

Were sending more troops and it just doesn't stop.

Timmy is among one headed over to Iraq.

His family is actually THANKFUL he is headed there and not to Afghanistan.

I'm not quite a mom yet but I can't imagine saying goodbye as my son goes to war.

I get scared thinking about all the ways my child could be killed IN MY HOUSE,

I can't imagine my child going into a hostile warzone so when Timmy's sister, Monica,

contacted me and said her mom wanted me to come get pictures at Timmy's going away party-

there was no question in my mind, I was going to do it.

God Bless Timmy, I know you will be getting tons and tons of prayers these next 14 months.

Thank you so much for serving!

Support their troops is exactly what they did. Check out these shirts Timmy's sister made.

Gary was very proud to be wearing his shirt, and even more proud of his nephew.

I have the perfect wife for this little guy. Her name is Elsie. She is precious. Call me in 25 years, I'll hook you up!

Caught ya Monica! : )

Iraq will be a cake walk after growing up with these girls.

One thing is for sure: Timmy has awesome friends and family.

Timmy's mom sent me a message today that encompasses the reason why I started doing photography. I hope she doesn't mind that I include part of what she wrote,

" Seeing the pictures of he and I help me as a mom so much you soon will understand the bond of mother and child. But when I look at the he and I ones I am taking that as my hug and kiss for the next 14 months. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

I want to include a special thank you to my friends, Ryan Skinner (Army), Robert Escobedo (Army), Tasia Berry (Army), Michael Bosworth (Army), Tony Green (Marines), Danny Barron (Navy) and Tommy Marshall (Army) (and any and everyone I missed) for all serving in our United States Military.

And a special shout out to Marine Momma Joanie Green. She was such a trooper and dedicated Marine Mom when her son served in Iraq. He went through hell and back and we are all happy to have him home for good!

Catching the Moments "In Between"

It's the moments before and after the pose, its the seconds before the kiss, it's the first glance, it's right before a bride meets her groom's eyes- Life in the IN BETWEEN as Jasmine Star would call it. It's another one of my goals, catching more of the "in between". Recently I had the honor of shooting a milestone in life. My cousin Michelle hired me to document her dad's retirement party. It was really amazing to see the transition going on his life and all of the friends, family, and coworkers who came along to show their support in his decision to retire. Congratulations Paul!

You can't help but love Michelle. We actually paid her to marry my cousin.

I can't imagine what it would have been like for the girls to grow up with these guys as brothers. They were all characters, very, very funny characters.

Here's a few examples of the "in between". I believe the following was in between a pose and one of the girls deeming them the "hot cousins".

Right before the kiss...

Right before the pose...

Right before she punched me in the nose...

Ok I was totally kidding on that last one but holy cow isn't she cute. She wasn't very pleased with me interrupting her dinner and she didn't think I was too funny either but by golly I was determined to get a pic of her and those amazing curls!

Anyway, instead of choosing a retirement gift for himself from AT&T, Paul became husband of the year when he asked for a BEAUTIFUL ring for his lovely wife instead.

Another gift from the guys at work

You could tell Paul was going to be greatly missed at AT&T. His bosses and coworkers were much more than just that- they were his friends. Each of them wanted to say something about Paul though many held back. They all trusted him, learned from him, and were honored to have worked beside him. Congratulations Paul!

Ellie Marie: One Year

Happy Birthday Baby Girl

One year ago today I stood in Jamaica and cried.

There are witnesses to this.

I went through about 15 emotions in 5 minutes as I read the e-mail from my sister in law that informed me my niece had been born.

Then I saw the pictures.

And cried a lot more.

I loved this baby girl before I met her and now that I know her, I couldn't possibly love her more. I can't believe how quickly a year has gone by. Now my little monthly model is One and I am pretty sure the next year is going to fly by even faster than the first. I love watching you grow and I love that I have trained you to smile your little booty off as soon as you see my camera.

Happy First Birthday Ellie Marie.

Before we get to the party pics here are a couple from this summer:

Ellie's momma brought along some party decorations for some pictures. One day I will be sure to tell Ellie all of the GRIEF her momma got from her daddy and uncle for throwing such a cute party.

A YEAR OF ELLIE:

Hmm these all look strangely familiar...

Big Girl walking up to her party all by herself. (sigh) It breaks my heart.

"You're getting all this right? I only make this grand entrance once ya know?"

Ellie's cousin, Katie made her this awesome cake to have all to herself. I was jealous, it was yummy.

Practicing for a stroll at the mall with purse in tow..

Happy Birthday Ellie.

Uncle Andy and I love you and are so proud of you!