Category Archives: Personal

Happy Anniversary to us…

I got married 5 years ago today. I can honestly say it was the best and most FUN day of my life. The advice I give every bride who’s wedding I shoot? Forget everything once the day arrives and enjoy it for what it is. A great big party with all of your favorite people there to celebrate you marrying the one you love. It’s as simple as that. And that is what we did…

We got married at the San Juan Vineyards, and went with a local photographer, James Krall. He didn’t have a blog or a fancy website, but I loved the way he captured people. Loved the way he captured us…

I did my own bouquet from wholesale flowers. My dress was a designer sample (no tag, so I don’t know who it’s by) from Belltown Bride. It was exactly what I wanted, only better. Kind of like the Huz 😉

Here’s a few images from that amazing day. My Mastiff of Honor…I still miss her every day. The little chapel on site held a maximum of 50 people, including us. I LOVED IT! It was so intimate and exactly what I wanted. We had a larger reception at the covered pavilion with more family and friends.

LOVE how excited the boys look up at the altar with us haha. I was trying to think of something eloquent to write, but writing isn’t exactly my forte. Precisely why I take pictures. Those tell my story for me… Then, I went to reread our vows. They said it all then and I can honestly say that they say it all now….

From this day forward I promise you these things.
I will laugh with you in times of joy, and comfort you in times of sorrow.
I will share in your dreams and support you as you strive to achieve your goals.
I will listen to you with compassion and understanding, and speak to you with encouragement.
I will help you when you need it, and step aside when you don’t.
I will remain faithful to you for better or worse, in times of sickness and health, through the pressures of the present and the uncertainties of the future.
You have shown me what love feels like and for that I thank you.
You are my best friend, and I will love and respect you always.

I found my other half later in life, and it was sooooo worth the wait. He doesn’t read this blog, but…love you Huz! 🙂

Happy Mother’s Day!

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I’ll start off warning you that this is a monster post. Every year I ask for pictures as my present (SHOCKING haha). Now that I’ve figured out the self timer, I have plenty of me and Maya pics (but really, I can never have enough ha!), but getting the Huz in there requires a special occasion 🙂 Luckily my mom asked for the same thing, so it was a given. Now…that’s not saying it was smooth sailing. I mean, what family photo shoot ever is?? BUT…so glad we persevered and got some images that we will all treasure for years to come.

Probably didn’t even need to snag these outfit pics, but we did anyway… Loooooove the back of this top. No shocker there 🙂 Although, I’m not 100% sold on the high rise skinnies :{ I thought I liked them, until I looked back on these images. NOT the most flattering. Oh well. They do keep you all sucked in, which was very helpful after brunch! Could my mom be any cuter? Nope 🙂 Might be my new favorite picture of me and Maya…

“I can fly, I can fly, I can fly” Yes, she’s been on a Peter Pan binge lately 🙂 These were from our first stop. It was super sunny/aka horrible for pics and Maya would NOT sit still or be held for more than 2 seconds. But…I’m quick haha. LOVE this one of her and my mom. And this of her and the Huz… LOVE THIS ONE!!! And then these are later in the evening… When I realized that I hadn’t gotten ANY of just Maya!? On me…

Top- ASTR (Nordstrom Rack, similar here)

Jeans- J Brand “Maria” (thrifted, similar here)

Shoes- Miz Mooz (old, similar here)

On Maya…

Dress-Old Navy (thrifted)

Shoes- Zulily

Keeping it Real…

I found this quote, when I was trying to think of something to say about motherhood. Yesterday was a tad stressful because Maya just wanted to RUN, RUN, RUN. Can’t blame her! But…trying to wrestle her back wasn’t always the easiest and a few different times, I almost threw in the towel and said let’s bag it. BUT…we didn’t, and I’m so glad.

“Mothers and their children are in a category all their own. There’s no bond so strong in the entire world. No love so instantaneous and forgiving.”

― Gail Tsukiyama, Dreaming Water

That’s not so say a Father’s love isn’t just as strong or special! Really, the last sentence is what resonated with me the most yesterday and really lately. I’ve never experienced love, joy, patience, and fear to the level that I have with Maya. I love that she calls me her best friend, and we tell each other “You’re my favorite in all the world” and it’s true. I am forever grateful for the experience, and could not possibly love this little nugget more. That said, motherhood is hard (insert apology to my mom and dad for all the shit I put you guys through :{) I wouldn’t trade all the hard moments in the world though, because one little “Sorry Mom” and a big hug, and it’s all mostly forgotten…

THIS is what the 1st 20 minutes of our little shoot looked like…

With a little monster roaring mixed in here and there… 🙂

Such is life…and I’m glad it was documented along with the hugs and laughter 🙂

(Pictures taken by my Dad, Mom, Huz, and me-basically whoever wasn’t in front of the camera or chasing Maya. Most of the time it was my dad chasing Maya, so thank you Dad ;))

All black kind of day…

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So, I mentioned in yesterdays post that Maya had been a bit of a butt. Well, the more I thought about it today, the more I realized that-

A) She hadn’t been that big of a butt. She really never is… Did she want to run around the house in her diaper for an hour longer than I wanted her to? Yes. Did she want to make a mess out of things I had just put away? Yes. Did she cry for a few minutes when I told her she had to put some clothes on so we could go play outside? Yes. Did she demand to wear a “Princess dress” instead of the original outfit I wanted to put on her. Yes. Was any of that really that bad? No. Which brings me to…

B) It was me who was being the butt. Lack of sleep and a few other things contributed to my mood/lack of patience, but basically she was mirroring my attitude! And I needed an attitude adjustment. For her sake as much as my own. She is inherently happy, which I absolutely love and am grateful for. Which I need to remember and not take for granted.

C) This, I honestly should have known. She woke up the next morning with a hacking cough. Then when she woke up from her afternoon nap, she had a 102 temperature, so…mother of the year? Not going to me. :{

I absolutely LOVE that I get to stay home with her and hang out with her. She makes me laugh, makes me feel more love that I ever knew possible, and really is my little buddy. All that said, we need a break from each other sometimes. My parents were kind enough to offer to hang out with her for a few hours while I went and ran errands by myself. It was exactly what we both needed.

My mom got these next few pictures of me and of me and Maya when I dropped her off. I only got a couple of her as we were walking over to my parents house, because she is on a mission to get to Meme and BOPO’s once she knows that’s where we are going 🙂 On me…