{Dana} 40 is Fabulous

To say this past month was busy would be an understatement! September is always busy with me going back to the classroom. But now it's even busier with my photography business and several birthday celebrations. In the past month (in addition to returning to the classroom) I've shot four weddings, one boudoir session, one family session, and three birthday celebrations. Whew, I'm just a bit tired. But, honestly, each one has been so much fun and lots of awesome memories were made. And that's what's important, right? You can be expecting lots of blog posts in the week to come.

Dana celebrated her 40th birthday with much reluctance but couldn't resist having a fabulous time at her party. I know 40 has such a negative stigma to it and I know it wasn't easy for her to face this day. Can you blame a person when black is the color and "over the hill" balloons are the decor? Sheesh! You can read Dana's thoughts on turning 40 HERE. They say 40 is the new 30, and I can totally understand why. My 20s were a time for much heartache and self realizations, my 30s have been about growth, and I know the 40s will have even more blessings to bring. I think age is something we should embrace. Because every year I feel more love and more loved!

Dana and my friends have a bit of a love affair with karaoke. I don't really get it. But I'm happy they love to do it because I get the best ab workout ever watching and laughing at them (err...I mean with them).

I love this picture of us all but kinda had a good laugh at the two shorties on the left end. Geez! They are all seriously a head taller than Maria & I. Everybody always asks where I got all my tall blonde friends. I'm definitely the odd one of the bunch.

We joked that Cora looked like "Where's Waldo?" The inner model in her coming out, can you tell?

I'm glad that 40 doesn't mean we have to stop being silly.

I love these last shots of Dana with her hubby, Al. Happy 40th Birthday, Dana! Your party was a blast. :)

Congrats Greg

Today I got to be witness to a baptism. It seems like I've witnessed many baby & children baptisms but this is my first adult friend that I got to witness. Even when I was baptized in 2002? it was with two other little girls. Anyways, it was awesome and I'm so proud of Greg and happy I was invited to be a part of it. I'm also very thrilled to have found a church I love with a community of friends. Today was the first day I've attended since I was pregnant and also Brooklyn's first day at church. And although she was super antsy to sit, I stood in the back and enjoyed the message and music. I forget how much I love and need that weekly inspiration.

I absolutely love the light flare in this pic. And although it's just a church flood light casting on him...I can't help but think it's a ray of light from God (and I also love that they gave him a shirt that said "got dunked").

 

 

Class of 2009 buddies

Yet another buddy session for these 2009 grads. We got a lot of great series shots, as posted below. These two girls crack me up and they did not disappoint at our beach senior session.

The two little monkies..."Hear no evil, See no evil, Speak no evil."

 

Always a cheerleader...

 

The Kreidler Bunch

I've known this family for 25 years...hard to believe it's been that long already! Lora and I went to elementary school all the way to WSU together. During our school years, I was a regular fixture in their home. It's amazing to see their family grow and so much fun to capture them in photos. Here's a quick preview of our session together at The Capitol Building in Olympia, WA.

Cora's Soft Side

So my friend and co-worker, Cora, has a few projects brewing. She needed some headshots because not only is she auditioning to be a contender on American Gladiator tomorrow; she is also venturing into the world of fitness modeling. Anyways we headed down to Colorado Lagoon to get her in action (quite literally...running, jumping, doing yoga,etc.). These are a few of my favorites on the softer side. More to come later...

 

 

 

 

Day Six - Getting ready for the wedding

Seeing a deer or many in my parent's yard was a normal occurence growing up. But after living in SoCal for so many years, it kinda freaked me out to see this deer right outside my parent's living room window. I got this shot through their window just in time for his snapshot.

I then spent the day running around Lacey doing errands with my mom, getting ready for sister's wedding on Saturday. The Budds invited me to dinner at the Japanese Steakhouse. Both Helene and Kendall (Lora's girls) were my little photographers, capturing some great shots of the evening.

Day One in the PNW

What's the PNW? The Pacific NorthWest (Olympia, Washington)...where I was born and raised. I'm home for 10 days to celebrate the holiday's and my oldest sister Lynnette's wedding. Our trip started a bit rocky with Dan and I missing our flight out of the Long Beach airport. After catching a flight 11 hours later, we went directly to O'Blarneys to meet up with old friends and family. Here are some photos from the evening.

blues KRUIZ

I can't get enough of this girl! More recent favorites from our walk in the neighborhood.

Oh the joys of traveling!

After sitting on an airplane for an hour waiting to depart, we had to deplane for a mechanical repair that will take an additional hour and half. Thank god for computers, iPods, and PDA's to help pass the time. As you can see, CoCo and I quickly making ourselves comfortable and tapping in to the airport wireless port to blog our adventures.

Check out Cora's blog too. Who's a better blogger? I declare a blog off! Follow our week long adventure in the Pacific Northwest.