December 31, 2010

2010

As 2010 is coming to an end, recaping on the year makes me realize just how blessed I am. I just saw my sister in law's blog post and now all I can think about typing is a recap of my year. So I'll share a few highlights:

-Taking my first cruise with my husband and in-laws to Mexico
-Celebrating two sweet years of marriage
-Embarking on a month long road trip across 10 states and 12 National Parks.
-Paying off my first car (my husband surprised me with the papers about 2 months after we bought it!)
-Starting a Photography business
-Becoming an aunt for the first time!
-One semester away from being College graduates!

I don't think it is possible for 2011 to top 2010 but we will see. I bet there are some fun moments in store! Either way, I don't deserve any of it. I'm thankful for each high and low.

As a way of closing this great year, I thought I'd share a few photos from a night session. Travis and I have been experimenting with some new gear and who better for subjects than beautiful sisters?




 Sisters...

 Having some fun. I think this is a lot harder than it looks!



Thanks girls for standing out in the cold with us. We love you!

Thanks for following and Happy New Year!

December 27, 2010

A look at our Christmas

This Christmas was a little different than the last few years. I worked up to the day before Christmas Eve so we drove to Tahoe to visit my family when I got off.  We normally are there a few days earlier so the anticipation of Christmas is much more prevalent. We also had my sister's boyfriend's family staying with us. It's fun having new people but it also creates this unfamiliar and less relaxed atmosphere.

My mom is very into the Holidays, which I love and appreciate. We have a few fun traditions like everyone opening one present on Christmas Eve which are new pajamas. On Christmas morning my mom makes some baked eggs and linguisa, which is Portugese sausage. We had a great time with family on Christmas morning surrounded by snow. Here are probably too many pictures of our time in Tahoe.


  Christmas Eve photos...






 On Christmas morning.
Good morning sunshine!

 I think she might like her present from Santa...

 Mimosas are a must the morning after snowboarding...
 

 Everyone likes to document their gorgeous Christmas morning look...

 Opening presents...


 Snuggie!!

 Everyone is feeling the love...

 We are now in San Diego and are loving spending time with family and friends. We still get to celebrate Christmas with more family in the days to come. We hope that you all had a great time with the ones you love. Happy Holidays!

December 16, 2010

"Take a deep breath"

Man, this past week has been kinda rough. I try not to be a complainer. But I just gotta get this off my chest so I can get over it all and think about the positive. Last Saturday I got a call from Travis informing me that he had been in a car accident. He rear ended the car in front of him while eating a cheeseburger. BUT...he was okay. Today, after studying for a final, Travis and I were walking to our car and got stopped by a police officer. We had walked across the street on a red light. It turned green when we were halfway across the street. I was so stunned that he was writing us a ticket that I was almost laughing. I thought it was a joke. Nope, not a joke. That'll cost us about $300 I'm guessing.

It's crazy how when just a few things don't go your way, you get all flustered. Recently I've been telling myself to just "Take a deep breath". It works. Even with a damaged car and a big ticket in our hands, our life is so great. Can I really let something stupid like a ticket ruin my last week of classes? How pathetic would that be. So, no I won't let a dumb respectable cop ruin my week. "Take a deep breath".

Okay, I'm done complaining.

We have so many fun and exciting things coming up in our lives! We get to spend Christmas in Lake Tahoe with my family. Then we are heading down to San Diego where we get to see more family and friends. I'm really looking forward to seeing my friend Elyse who is starting to show that little bump that is due in May!! After San Diego we are flying to Indiana to meet our very first niece or nephew(they know but aren't telling the sex! ugh!). We get to take this precious baby's newborn photos and are ecstatic. I just can't wait to be up in the wee hours of the night cuddling a precious newborn so mommy and daddy can sleep.

Because we are spending so much time away from Chico this Christmas season, we didn't really decorate our apartment. We have yet to get a Christmas tree and we've been married for 2.5 years. I thought I'd show you some things around our apartment that help keep me happy even without a tree.

When we were in Tahoe for Thanksgiving my Mom gave us a present a little early. She wanted us to be able to decorate a little bit. She spent a lot of time making these for us. Some said Silent Night, Ho Ho Ho, Peace on Earth, Let is Snow, etc. Thank Mom. I'm looking forward to pulling this out every year!


Some of the gifts that don't get to sit under a tree until we move them to Tahoe.


An easy and cheap way to display Christmas cards.

 This twine doesn't sit out for Christmas decoration but I was doing a craft and thought it was appropriate.

I'm making some card sets for gifts. Yes, that is Rachel Green.

I'm obsessed with my doily stamp.

 Another craft that I will share later...

There's a look into some things going on in our life. Sorry if I totally bored you. Or annoyed you. I always like to see what people do to decorate or what gifts they're giving.

I hope if you have a time in your day where you are stressed that you'll "Take a deep breath".

December 13, 2010

Payne Family

Josh and Adrienne are on staff at Chico State with Campus Crusade. We've known them for about 4 years now and we absolutely love their family. Tobin came to the shoot saying "I'm shy", but he had some sweet smiles for us. He must have taught his little sister how to smile because she has it down! We are so glad we got to capture their beautiful family.

Here is a look into our Session:







Aren't they beautiful?

Thanks Payne Family!